After hearing that a house and techno night was coming to the capital, we were interested to see just how popular Boogie Box would be in a city that is flooded with RnB and hip-hop events. Created just over five years ago up the road in Dubai, Boogie Box holds bi-weekly events at Up and Below at Courtyard by Mariott World Trade Center. Among guest DJs are the resident mixers with DJ Hassan Alwan at the helm.
When we arrived at the venue we went straight to the roof terrace. It’s open to the surrounding skyscrapers but intimate and secluded enough to feel like a private party. Plenty of funky lights adorned the tables and corners of the space, as well as a material screen tied above the DJ booth that had some artsy video projection going on: think Hockney meets Dali. The crowd packed out the venue, which was clearly not expected by the bar staff as they were swamped.
The music was effortlessly mixed as ardent house fans threw some shapes. As the night progressed into deeper techno, the crowd became even more lively.
Boogie Box has a great following, so it wouldn’t surprise us if it eventually moves to a bigger venue.
The bottom line Something different for the capital’s clubbers to experience.
