What Is Bongo’s Bingo, And What Should You Expect From It?
There are a lot of things Liverpool is famous for. Steven Gerrard, The Beatles, the Radio City Tower, but more recently, another iconic staple has joined the list: Bongo’s Bingo.
Created in 2015 by Jonny Bongo – whose real name is Jonny Lacey, but, you know, Bongo works better – the idea behind the brand was to take an event that was identified as “something for the oldies” and give it a new breath of life.
And when we say breath, we mean attach it to a petrol-powered blower and pump as much energy, colour and craziness into it as possible.
The Mad World of Bongo’s Bingo
Anyone who’s been to a Bongo’s Bingo event will know what we’re talking about. An event like this is not for the faint-hearted.
We dread to think about the number of Liverpudlian nanas who have gone to the wrong bingo parlour and found themselves surrounded by scantily clad dancers, rave music, and twenty-five-year-old men with their shirts off.
We also dread to think about the number of nanas who went back for more.
But if you don’t know what we’re talking about, and you like the idea of Bingo extreme, then you’re in the right place to learn a little more.
Before we get into that, however, we should first ask the question: are you sure?
Seriously, if you’re into bingo, you might be better off starting off somewhere a little tamer. You’ll still have the same fun.
If, however, you’d like to brave it, below is a history of Bongo’s Bingo, what it’s all about and what you should expect:
The History Of Bongo’s Bingo
As mentioned before, Bongo’s Bingo was started in 2015, originally imagined as one of those one-off events happening in Liverpool. It was based on the traditional 90-Ball Bingo format that most of us are familiar with. Only there was a big twist: house music.
After seeing the popularity and hunger for a night like this, however, the creators decided to give it another go.
Pretty soon, queues were wrapping themselves around the venue, with the venue itself getting packed with around 400 people, all of whom with drinks in one hand and bingo books in the other!
Over time they began adding more things to it, including dance-offs, cheesy tunes, raves, and prizes that just got crazier and crazier.
Today, it is gearing up for its biggest year yet, with an ambition to expand to the USA and hit at least 1 million customers!
What Is Bongo’s Bingo?
So what exactly happens during a Bongo’s Bingo event? Well, from beginning to end, Bongo’s Bingo is a crazy, shared extravaganza where there are seemingly no rules – except the rules of bingo.
During the evening, there are several rounds of bingo, each of which is interceded with raves, catwalks, and even dance-offs.
Prizes have included Henry Hoovers, cases of Lambrini, and unicorns – soft toy unicorns, not real unicorns, although it’s easy to make that mistake when it comes to Bongo’s Bingo.
Tickets for an evening are usually around £6, but it depends on how big the event is. And take it from us, it’s very unusual that anyone feels like they haven’t got their money’s worth by the end of the evening.
What Should You Expect?
Well, you know bingo? Expect that but in a fever dream.
Bongo’s Bingo is all about madness, fun, rowdiness, entertainment, madness – did we say madness? – and some more madness. No matter who you are, it’s sure to be an evening you will never forget.
Although we joked earlier, it’s also one of the best things to do in Liverpool. A must-experience if you’re visiting the city and want to try out something a bit different.
It also highlights the magical, party side of this city like nothing else. Liverpool knows how to have fun, and with this event, they’ve certainly pulled the rabbit out of the hat. Or bingo ball out of the spinner. Whichever one you like.
