When we hear the word bingo, old-fashioned bingo halls come to mind, frequented mainly by senior citizens. However, what if we told you that a respectable game of bingo can be enjoyed by party lovers of all ages, too? Bongo’s Bingo has taken the country by storm, introducing party events like never before.
Bongo’s Bingo is an immersive experience involving an innovative game of bingo with live performances from drag dancers, including audience participation, karaoke en-masse, rave rounds and just all-around mayhem.
The immersive bingo night launched in 2015, take the country by storm ever since. It started with Jonny Bongo and Josh Burke in Liverpool, who had a vision of a different kind of night out. So, the pair founded Bongo’s Bingo which soon saw large queues lining up outside the venue, encouraging the two entrepreneurs to quickly expand outside of Liverpool.
While the first prizes included a Shaggy CD, Bentos tinned pie and cash, bingo ravers can now get their hands on prizes such as the beloved Henry Hoover, a fully-equipped karaoke machine, adult toys and even a 20 feet tall wacky wavey. While we’re not sure where we’d put one of those in a wee flat, we still kind of want one.
We Glaswegians are no strangers to a good party, so it is no wonder Bongo’s Bingo has become a quick hit in Scotland. SWG3 in Glasgow hosts the bingo rave every week, and Secret Glasgow got a first-hand peek to see it for ourselves this weekend.
It is safe to say weegies showed them how it’s done, with Bongo’s Bingo being the go-to destination for birthday parties, hen dos and stag dos. We were met with unhinged, yet organised chaos with plenty of singing and dancing, witnessing the sheer joy in people’s faces when coming on stage to collect their whacky prizes.
In life, it is truly the simple things that make us happy, and Bongo’s Bingo is a testament to how appreciating the little joys of the journey can not only brighten someone’s day but also offer a sense of belonging and comradery while not taking ourselves too seriously.
You can book tickets a couple of months in advance on Bongo’s Bingo website, but do act fast as they sell out quickly!