If your image of a typical bingo hall is a vast, swirly-carpeted hall wreathed in cigarette smoke and packed with women nursing a rum and black while desperately marking their cards . . . well it could be time to reconsider.
That’s because the game that’s generally acknowledged to date back to 16th century Italy has had a makeover for the 21st and London’s at its very epicentre.
It’s hardly surprising of course. All the features that have made bingo such a popular game over the centuries are just as captivating today as they’ve always been – the sense of community, the fun and not forgetting the prizes to be won. Admittedly, the new generation of bingo events do have varying levels of irony attached to them but there are still plenty of old-school venues in the capital too for those wanting to play a more traditional game.
So whether you want to go traditional or fancy a more cutting edge take on the game, here are five ways that you could find yourself dibbing with the best of them and getting ready to be the first to shout “house” when your luck comes in.
Mecca Camden Town
Mecca is probably the name that first springs to mind when you think about bingo. Mecca Camden has a twice-weekly night called Players Bingo, every Thursday and Saturday. In fact, it’s a brand that once stood for all that was great in entertainment by also running dance halls and nightclubs too. Come Dancing, the partial inspiration for Strictly was always filmed in a Mecca Club back in the day.
Although the business is a shadow of its former self, there are still five of its traditional bingo halls left in London with Camden Town’s being the jewel in their crown.
You need to be a member to play but that’s just a question of filling in a short form either online or when you turn up at the club. Then you’re free to enter the 1,200 capacity club and play to your heart’s content. It’s a lot higher tech than it ever was in the olden days with the option of playing on touch screens – but for the traditionalists there are still paper cards to fill in.
Palace Bingo, Elephant and Castle
Overwhelming experiences can happen anywhere in London, but you might not expect one in the decidedly down at heel Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre. But that’s where you’ll find Palace Bingo, the 2,000-seater venue that is as much social club as it is a bingo hall. Opened 30 years ago and still very much under the control of the effervescent managing director, Patrick Duffy, it’s as much a community asset as it is a place to play bingo.
For example, throughout the year you can even buy weekly stamps which can be exchanged for your turkey at Christmas and it’s also a great place to enjoy traditional Caribbean food – some days there’s even a free lunch if you get in before midday, including a free roast on a Sunday. It’s very clever marketing and just one of the ways they compete with affiliate brands like Bingoport offering rewards in return to players who go via their website to access bingo games across several brands. These rewards can then be cashed in for various online purchases thus building loyalty with regular bingo players.
But if you want to enjoy all this and more, you’ll have to be quick as the whole site has been earmarked for demolition by Southwark Council as a step towards gentrifying the area.
Bongo’s Bingo
Less a venue, more an international phenomenon Bongo’s Bingo started off in a Liverpool nightclub as the brainchild of the promoters Jonny Bongo (real name Lacey) and Joshua Burke. The idea was to combine bingo with nightclub entertainment, so they drafted in stars including David Hasselhoff, The Vengaboys and B*witched to make personal appearances too.
Now across 42 cities worldwide, to catch a London event you’ll have to keep a close eye on the listings magazines as the venues vary and sell out quickly with people attracted by the unique combination of fun and bingo where you’re as likely to bump into a hen party having a riotous time and a group of guys who have decided to dress up as nuns for the evening.
Equally eye catching are the quirky prizes to be won which include inflatable unicorns, Henry Hoovers, and even boxes of breakfast cereals for the morning after.
Buzz Bingo Stratford
At the absolute opposite end of the scale, the serious bingo player should head for Buzz Bingo Stratford. You won’t find nightclub performers or foam parties, just dedicated players with their heads down, determined to go home a winner.
The interior can look a little daunting at first with formica tables stretching into the distance and an expectant buzz (naturally) of players. But once you get used to the vibe it’s totally absorbing.
All tables have touch screens that you can use to play on – and they can also be used to order food and drinks from a surprisingly wide and varied menu ranging from ham and eggs to deep-fried mozzarella sticks.
Dabbers, Liverpool Street
Probably London’s newest dedicated bingo venue, Dabbers opened its doors for the first time in December 2018 and immediately started picking up some great reviews for its reinvention and broadening out of bingo.
The staff are friendly and welcoming, the venue is bright and exciting and there are different games throughout the week to appeal to different audiences. For example, Saturday nights are Disco Bingo while on Sundays there’s a calmer family atmosphere.
There are also drag nights, speed dating and even a Vintage Night with an old-style bingo caller complete with glittery jacket.
If you really want to make it a special night, then you can book a “Baller Booth” which comes with a free bottle of fizz to really get you in the mood. Ever since it opened the place has been doing roaring business – so expect to see many more Dabbers popping up in London over the next few years!
