Bingo in London

Bingo in London

24 August, 2009
by: Sandraleong

First things first, we'd like to put our foot down and say that Bingo has been severely maligned. To most people, it's a boredom-banishing activity for near-centenarians who tend to get over-excited by the Antiques Roadshow and phrases like 'two fat ladies', 'legs eleven' and 'tickety boo'. Well, it's not, you ignorant boors.

'Most people' have just been looking in the wrong places. While the traditional bingo halls do draw crowds circa 1924, a smattering of alternative bingo nights popping up around London have become playgrounds for number-loving hipsters, odd as that sounds. Spoonfed gives you five quick suggestions:

Bogan Bingo
England haven't just stolen the Ashes from Down Under. Aussie bingo-calling talents Trevor Sinclair and Tim Major have also decided to set up shop in cooler climes, hosting a series of Bogan Bingo nights across London. (Bogans, for the uninitiated, are the equivalent of British chavs.). Steel yourself for a night of yelling 'Bloody Bingo!'. And beware, the hosts also promise short denim shorts.

The Underground Rebel Bingo Club
What's one quick way to make any event so-hip-it-hurts? Host it in a (drum roll) secret location. Rules include no old people (sorry Nan), no wankers (sorry Peter Andre), no boring people (sorry Peaches Geldof). Dress code is 'weird, flash or dangerous' so dust off that flame-spewing bra.

Bingo Master's Breakout
Bingo plus karaoke plus open-mic poetry make for a banging night out. Don't worry if you don't get a slot to perform on stage. The night usually ends with a great big sing-a-long. Best thing? It's all free.

Gay Bingo
Drag hostess Timberlina flexes her killer biceps at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern to bring you a night of ball-calling – in more ways than one. The Institute of Contemporary Arts also runs a wildly popular Gay Bingo night but is in the process of confirming future dates so check regularly with its website. Camp is king...sorry, queen!

Musical Bingo
If you're mathematically challenged, host Dave Daggers calls tunes instead at this novel Bingo Tunes night. Identify the song, check it off your list and call 'Bingo' when you've got enough lines to win. Otherwise, pop down to the National Theatre every Friday and Saturday night for riproarious Musical Bingo chaired by hostess with the mostest JessIndeedy.

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Sandraleong