Getting to Boogie is easy. Look for the big brick building on the west side of Woodward, just north of Nine Mile, the one that looks like an old Rite Aid. Parking is easy in the large public lot just south of the bar, but watch out for the Ferndale Popo, as they are almost always snooping around.
There are velvet ropes at the front entrance, though there appeared to be no issue getting in due to crowds or selectivity. I was wearing jeans and an old Allen Park Presbyterian softball jersey, my brother had on a t-shirt extolling the virtues of eating pork and a Charlie Sheen style shirt over that. I guess as long as you have the $6 cover, you are good to go. Weirdly, everyone is required to show picture ID, and it is taken from you and photographed for posterity.
Once inside, there should be no problem getting a cocktail, as there are long bars at the front, back and one side of the cavernous interior. The bartenders are excellent and work hard to get you drinking. A Miller Light and Labatt Blue set me back $8.50. All bottles, no tap. My brother and I were already slightly drunk upon arrival, but younger brothers being what they are, Tony felt he needed to kick it up a notch and soon switched to Tanqueray and tonic. It was expensive and came in a plastic cup. Yummy!
The real reason people come to this joint is the lighted dance floor that dominates the center of the bar, where the sweaty crowd writhes away to songs from the 70’s and 80’s that just refuse to go the fuck away.
It is an interesting mix of party people, definitely more guys than girls, but not overly sausage. The age spectrum is fun. There are young ones who think that the music being danced to is ironic fun and old timers who are convinced that Jessie’s Girl was the last great song ever recorded.
Boogie Fever is equal parts fun and desperation. Birthdays, marriages and divorces are being celebrated right next to men and women trolling for love or lust ( just like in the Rod Stewart epic Do Ya Think I’m Sexy). The dance floor is always packed, and the crowd stands three deep around the tangled mass watching for an opening. Warning to you guys who wait for slow songs so you too can dance: There are no slow songs.
If you aren’t dancing, there isn’t shit to do. No sports, Keno or food. And no I did not dance. I am married and dance like a fifty year old white guy, which I am. I did note however that almost every woman looks great dancing and no guy does. We all tend to move too much or too little. Why women put up with this is a mystery to me.
Not too long after our arrival, my brother was drunk as hell and wanted to go eat. Ain’t booze grand!
Who should go to Boogie Fever? People with a few bucks to spend and a roving eye for the opposite sex. Who should not go? Married folk who do not want to appear skeevy by checking out the talent.
Cheers!
-Jim
Boogie Fever: 22901 Woodward Ave. Ferndale, MI 48220
Music is good, Place is well decorated.
it's a shame that despite spending all this money The other staff working there is quite horrendous. They lack professionalism and common decency.
They are a bunch of push-arounds with in your face attitude.
While standing at the bar guarding the drinks for my friends Who were dancing on the floor security guy snuck up behind me and while giving way to other guest to order drinks at the bar counter he punched me in the back and when I reacted he said you were in my space which I couldn't understand why a security guard is standing in the middle of where the customers are ordering drinks. And due to lack of table space The only option is to place your drink on the bar counter where Customers are standing. since it is not polite to take your drinks to a dance floor. I asked the security staff you still didn't have to punch me you could just tap on my shoulder and I would have moved. I insisted on speaking to the manager regarding the incident and was told there's no manager on site.
Luckily for me I do have a hospitality business Which is 24-7-365 days and we go out of our way to provide customer service and a well trained conflict resolution staff. After all it is the customer who pays my bill. My support staff is extremely professional and courteous and only shows up when necessary.
This, in your face and rude attitude Does not make sense.
Better option would be to call police since we have a recorded conversation . but I will wait to see if these guys continue this attitude before considering any legal action. The business is not Better Business Bureau accredited therefore the only choice is to inform law-enforcement. So far I've noticed only three people actually wrote anything about the attitude of the security staff.