Uk Barblog

Boogaloo Bar (Highgate - London)

Boogaloo Bar

A small pokey music hall apparently pulling odd bands for secret gigs and a few drinkers. The place is basically divded between this tight indoor affair and a larger, well fashioned garden-style bar area. The indoor bar is a small affair at the back of the main room, with a woody exterior and offering a small selection of drinks at what feels like the counter of an oversized - but badly lit ice cream van counter. Expect unfriendly rocker tude with a topping of highgate prudity. That being said it would be a fitting vemnue for a secret gig and the courtyard bar has a fairy-tale msucial feel to it.

Overall the outside offsets the heavy interior within but given that british weather never welcomely extends out to the any kind of outdoor partying staying inside will not fulfill the dreams of the rocker wannabe scralled on the faces of the grwoing crowds - 5/10

The Famous Royal Oak (Muswell Hill - London)

The Famous Royal Oak

Hidden from any sign of of the civbilisation at the top of muswell hill this pub somewhat retains a crowd. As you apprach there are two outdoor televisions on a large outdoor terrace. Some of the area is under cover and in the summer one can expect fresh bbq food. Inside is an old style friendly family run pub with several machines and a pool table. There are classic characters within which help liven the place up and it remains very friendly. There are mainly middle aged men in here - often attracted by sports matches.

This has to be one of the friendliest pubs I have ever been in, the landlord even brings out chairs for the ladies when none seem available and there are none of the "rudeboys" associated with the pubs at the top of the hill. Overall 8/10

Haha Bar (Muswell Hill - London)

Haha Bar & Canteen

This was the first Haha bar I had ever been in, in a rather strange location in Muswell hill of all places. Going in the bar is to the left with other seating to the right consisting of big heavy tables, tables mounted on pillars and couches, all the worst to sit at in fact seeing as this place supposedly serves food as well. We approached the bar which seems rather messy and with two wet elbows later ordered a pint which came to a little bit of a pricey £2.90. The staff were friendly however but the place was definiteyl too loud. In fact i would say the place is aimed at men, theres beer on tap but thats about all and after looking for a place to sit down you feel its very much lacking in that department as well. The overall lighting and decor of the place made it feel like some kind of bakery from another dimension.

I left feeling unsure if I had enjoyed the experience and felt that overall this bar gets a 3/10. Not intending on returning again.

The Woodman (Highgate - London)

The Woodman

Is this pub called the woodman because everything in the place is made of wood? Yes, yes that is exactly why this is acalled the woodman, in fact so woody as to raise my eyevrow in shock. The lighting in here feels like someones living room as you enter the door having just emerged from Highgate station. The bar staff are friendly even if the beer is £2.90 a pint and the clientell are young indie rockers and the music follws suit. I am told that on a saturday an indie Dj accompanys the crowds. A nice beer garden and a relaxing drink.

Overall I recommend this pub for a drink in the day but cant see myself coming here at night- not being a fan of the music I give it a 6/10.

The Highgate Inn (Highgate - London)

The Highgate Inn

A surprising gem on the high street which bursts out of london heading north. This interesting little irish pub sports a wooden varnished floor and rich wood and leather furniture. The front of the pub feels like a small shop but flows into a lounge area at the back. The quaint bar plays host to some friendly bar staff and serve you promptly from a wide range of spirits larger and wine. There is a quiz machine, jukebox, plenty of seating and well recommended for a pint in the day. The most interesting thing is the variety of food from a massive curry menu, fish and oysters and british cuisine. RnB music lingers in the air as well and provide a great atmosphere for young and old alike.

Overall I say that this pub needs to be a bit less expensive and a little bigger so i give it a 7/10. However I had an in depth discussion with liam, he gives this pub a solid 9/10 and not a mark less :) he holds firmly to the phrase that size does not matter!

O'Neills -Muswell Hill (London)

O'Neills -Muswell Hill

A monument of a building, in fact a disbanded church, this is probably the most perculiar looking pub io have ever been in. On entering you are in a  huge hall which descends on a wide bar. I servign times here are slow and the floor gets quickly packed at the weekend so find yourself a seat. There is also a massive staircase which takes you up to an overlooking galley which pans the whole way around the lower hall and has its own bar, also with long waiting times. The Drinks are a brilliant price and getting drunk in a church never felt better!

Overall a blasphemic 8/10.

Cafe Loco (Muswell Hill - London)

Cafe Loco
I find myself wating outside this club at 1am ona  friday night in jeans and trainers and my mates assure me this is such a seedy place they will actually let you in without leather shoes even being on- so long as you assure the bouncers you have some at home. You enter and instantly you feel the sweat of the crowd bouncing in unison in what can only be described as a shop. It feels like a bakery its so small and getting to an from the toilets at the back is impossible because you may have to navigate through some 200 people ina space that 10 people would be uncomfortable in.

The drinks were way too expensive at £3 a bottle, although having said this the serving times at the bar were adiquate lets call this a 3/10.

The Village (Muswell Hill - London)

The Village
The village is a nice sized bar in Muswell hill, trendy amonst the young with a forecourt garden seating area. They have a fine cider on tap and have a lot of seating inside. The toilets are well kept and the prices are fairly reasonable. There is a woody atmosphere about the place and it gets pretty noisey and busy even on a Sunday night. I didnt particularly like this place because it did have any of those special qualities i've started to look for but it is a nice bar for a quick one in the area.

Overall rating 6/10