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erinosman
4th May 2022

The Mancunion takes on: Bongo’s Bingo!

The Mancunion team takes on Bongo’s Bingo for the first time, experiencing bingo like never before. Question is, could you hack Bongo’s Bingo?
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The Mancunion takes on: Bongo’s Bingo!
Photo: Jess Walmsley @The Mancunion

Last Sunday night, May 1, The Mancunion took to the streets of Manchester, and headed to Bongo’s Bingo’s 80’s themed bonanza at Manchester Central.

We didn’t know quite what to expect. A bit of bingo, sure.

But for a bingo session lasting from 7:30pm to 12am, there had to be more … and there certainly was! 

The DJ stroke bingo-caller told us that, for any newcomers to Bongo’s Bingo, “it’s basically just one big massive rave”. And that pretty much sums up this crazy experience. A perfect (if wild) blend of bingo, karaoke, dance-offs, rave intervals, and Tina Turner impersonators: I’ve never seen anything quite like Bongo’s Bingo! 

The night we attended was the Bongo’s Bingo XL – Back to the 80s extravaganza, the crowd were donned in shell suit jackets, neon and 80’s themed costume. Perfect attire to match the 80’s soundtrack and prizes on offer throughout the night.

The actual bingo game is intense and fast-paced, especially given the fact everyone’s already at least four vodka cranberry’s down. But the prizes are worth the intensity as you’re in for a chance of winning a whole host of prizes such as: a lifetime supply of Coco Pops; an 80s karaoke machine; a brand-new Henry Hoover; a £2000 cash prize, or even, a decapitated life-size cardboard cut-out of Margaret Thatcher … 

Photo @ The Mancunion

The night started, quite unexpectedly, with a performance by a group of professional break-dancers. It descended, in perfect chaos, into a dance battle.

Before long, we were all swept up in the rowdiness of the crowd. With ‘guest appearances’ from Freddie Mercury, Prince, Michael Jackson, and finally Tina Turner – the bingo became a fully-fledged concert, polished off with confetti, smoke-machines, glow sticks and strobe lights.

Photo: Jess Walmsley @ The Mancunion

A look around the benches and you can quickly tell the place is mostly filled up with hen and stag-do parties, with dildos being thrown around and men’s chests on full display.

It’s chaotic, lively, and very drunken. Whether you’re 77 or 18, Bongo’s Bingo is your antidote to your classic (sometimes boring) club night out. 

Photo: Bongo’s Bingo

To avoid breaking your bank I’d advise a serious pres beforehand, as drinks are pretty expensive. And, be prepared to run, no, sprint, to the toilets between bingo sessions to avoid getting stuck in a hefty queue. 

Coming up this June, Bongo’s have over 80 shows across 27 different locations all around the country including: Birmingham, Blackpool, Coventry, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gorleston-On-Sea, Hull, Leamington Spa, Leeds, Leicester, Lincoln, Liverpool, London Bridge, London Clapham Junction, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Norwich, Rochester, Sheffield, Shrewsbury, Southampton, Stafford, Swindon, Wigan and Wolverhampton.

Bongo’s Bingo describes itself as the definitive bingo experience, and, I have to agree.

It’s bingo as you’ve never seen it before. So, head over to the Bongo’s Bingo website now and grab your tickets!

Photo @ Bongo’s Bingo

Dates Announced:

Birmingham: Saturday 4th June, Saturday 11th June, Saturday 18th June, Saturday 25th June

Blackpool: Friday 3rd June

Coventry: Friday 3rd June, Friday 17th June, Saturday 25th June

Dundee: Friday 3rd June

Edinburgh: Friday 10th June, Saturday 11th June, Saturday 25th June

Glasgow: Friday 10th June, Afternoon Show – Saturday 11th June, Evening Show – Saturday 11th June, Thursday 16th June, Friday 17th June, Thursday 23rd June, Friday 24th June, Thursday 30th June

Gorleston-On-Sea: Saturday 18th June

Hull: Friday 3rd June, Friday 10th June, Friday 17th June, Friday 24th June

Leamington Spa: Saturday 11th June, Saturday 25th June

Leeds: Wednesday 1st June, Friday 10th June, Friday 24th June, Sunday 26th June

Leicester: Friday 3rd June, Saturday 11th June, Saturday 18th June, Saturday 25th June

Lincoln: Friday 24th June

Liverpool: Bank Holiday Special – Wednesday 1st June, Bank Holiday Special – Thursday 2nd June, Bank Holiday Special – Friday 3rd June, Saturday 4th June, Friday 10th June, Saturday 11th June, Friday 17th June, Saturday 18th June, Friday 24th June, Saturday 25th June

London Bridge: Bank Holiday Special – Thursday 2nd June, Bank Holiday Special – Friday 3rd June, Saturday 4th June, Friday 10th June, Saturday 11th June, Friday 17th June, Saturday 18th June, Friday 24th June, Saturday 25th June

London Clapham Junction: Friday 3rd June, Friday 10th June, Saturday 11th June, Friday 17th June, Saturday 25th June

Manchester: Saturday 21st May, Daytime Show – Sunday 5th June, Friday 10th June, Friday 17th June, Friday 24th June, Daytime Show – Sunday 26th June

Middlesbrough: Bank Holiday Special – Thursday 2nd June, Friday 17th June

Newcastle: Bank Holiday ‘Tropical’ Special – Thursday 2nd June, Bank Holiday ‘Tropical’ Special -Friday 3rd June, Bank Holiday ‘Tropical’ Special – Saturday 4th June, Friday 10th June, Friday 24th June, Thursday 30th June

Norwich: Friday 24th June, Saturday 25th June

Rochester: Saturday 18th June

Sheffield: Saturday 4th June, Saturday 11th June, Saturday 18th June, Saturday 25th June

Shrewsbury: Saturday 4th June, Saturday 18th June, Saturday 25th June

Southampton: Saturday 11th June

Stafford: Saturday 4th June, Saturday 18th June

Swindon: Saturday 11th June, Friday 24th June

Wigan: Saturday 4th June, Saturday 11th June, Saturday 18th June, Friday 24th June

Wolverhampton: Saturday 11th June, Friday 17th June, Saturday 18th June, Saturday 25th June

Erin Osman

Erin Osman

Co-Features Editor for The Mancunion // Twitter @ErinOsman03

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