Bingo Glitters

What do number games, a glitter ball, cocktails and winning all have in common? Bingo! Yes, that game that grannies and grandpas loved, yet what about when it’s bought up to date, with Bingo Glitter, so along with your number game you get to disco dance with a cocktail in hand? This historic game just got a facelift, find out more here in Bingo Glitters.

Strange as it may seem this most British of games didn’t start life out in the UK but is thought to have been initiated in Italy in the 16th century. From the Italian lottery, Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia the game spread to France and was known as Le Lotto, played initially by the French aristocracy. In Germany, it was actually used as an educational tool to teach children multiplication tables, spelling, and even history and eventually it migrated to Great Britain, and other parts of Europe in the 18th century. In Quebec, it is called Kinzo and in India, it is known as Tambola.

The game so associated by many as somewhere granny or grandad went on a wet Wednesday was also previously known in the UK as Housey-Housey, becoming more and more popular after 1960 when gambling rules were changed, and so more purpose-built bingo halls opened.

Many reasons saw the decline in the game until a new generation re-found it and fell back in love, albeit with a slightly different twist, think replacing grannie cups of tea with slinky cocktails as well as dancers and drag queens. Seeing it far more as a multi-functional opportunity for all-around entertainment; more than just number calling. So successful has one brand been that they have opened a second venue.

Every week, now across two venues, Dabbers boasts incredible lineups featuring the best comedians, performers and musicians for a Bingo night with a difference. Think Disco tunes, camp callers, cocktails nibbles and full-on party vibes. Alongside, of course, comes prizes, dining and a rather magical one-off custom-built ball machine.

Being a far more modern interpretation of Bingo and the second location being based in Hackney means offers like vegan pork pies and vegan jellied eels. Alongside that, as times are tough, Tuesdays bring a night run at cost, with no profit margin designed for people facing current cost-of-living challenges including discounted entry and half-priced drinks

Following four successful years in Houndsditch, this second venue brings another opportunity for a modern take on bingo, with full wheelchair access. The top floor of the Hackney Picture House has been transformed into an 85-seater bingo hall with a choice of social, theatre and booth seating.

Taking into account the history of the area and so exclusive to Hackney, the Bow Bells Bingo on Saturday afternoons enjoy cockney rhyming slang bingo calls hosted by a Hackney local whose mother tongue includes a wide range of cockney lingo. The advice is to arrive when the doors open to soak up the bottomless bubbles and disco vibes before the bingo show begins. On top of that the Hackney-inspired lunchbox includes a selection of fresh bagels, Pearly Kween oyster-inspired cocktails and where the past meets the food of the future, vegan pork pies, vegan jellied eels with a twist and Espresso Martini milk bottles

Sundays in Hackney will bring Sunday’s a Drag hosted by the legendary Kate Butch; The most outrageously fierce bingo Show in the East End with this weekly celebration of all things drag brings top London DJs too.

I can’t wait to put bingo back on the Hackney map, as the borough’s only venue dedicated to the game. Pop by and enjoy a diverse range of games with old friends or new in which everyone and their dog (literally) can enjoy! We really couldn’t have done it without you, so thank you to every single Dabber and my brilliant team.”

Jonny Unknown Creative Director

So if for you the night (or afternoon) is made better by shimmering disco balls, dancing on the tables (maybe not) campness beyond and some rather fabulous tie-breaker challenges, and most of all high octane glamour, Dabbers Bingo is for you. After all, the game has lasted for hundreds of years probably because it has adjusted for each new generation, this particular incarnation may well be the most glamorous yet.

Dabbers Bingo Hackney 270 Mare St, London E8 1HE Opening times: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 6pm – 10:30pm, Saturday: 12pm – 10:30pm, Sunday: 12pm – 5pm  Direct Hackney ticket Here For all private hire enquiries please contact kamal@dabbers.bingo

If you enjoyed reading Bingo Glitters why not red Decoding Tarot here

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