Bongos Bingo Liverpool – Is It Worth The Hype?

General

It sounds a bit mad. It is a lot mad. It’s Bongos Bingo Liverpool!

Whose what now?

Bongo’s Bingo has been described as bingo on acid. I’ve been myself, and although I’ve never taken acid, it feels like a fitting description. Dreamed up by an underground club night promoter and a pub quiz legend, Bongo’s Bingo is the result of two uniquely creative minds colliding.

The emphasis of Bongo’s is to enjoy the show. The bingo is an important part of that, but it’s not really the main reason to go. It’s one part of the whole package – the bit that knits it all together.

Known for wacky prizes (Frey Bentos pie, mobility scooter, full size cut out of Noel Edmunds) and non-stop carnage, this is not a night out for the faint hearted.

If you haven’t been before but have been hearing lots of noise and wondering if it’s worth the hype, you’re about to find out.

What On Earth is Bongo’s Bingo?

It’s a night of bingo. Run by Bongo. Obviously!

I’m kidding. Bongo isn’t always there, but it is a night of bingo that he started. However, it comes with one almighty twist.

Any regular bingo player attending Bongos Bingo Liverpool would be forgiven for thinking they had turned up at the wrong event. The hushed tones and focus which regular bingo is known for are nowhere to be seen. It couldn’t be further from the stereotype of little old ladies clutching dabbers and lucky charms.

As the aficionados at BingoWebsites put it:

“Make no mistake about it, Bongos Bingo will not be for everyone.“

Why? Because Bongo’s Bingo is a lively, loud, raucous event that may centre around bingo, but every other element of the evening’s entertainment is completely mental.

What sort of things go on, you ask? Let me give you a list:

Rave intervals
Audience participation
Dance offs
Men in drag
Live DJ and/or band
Cereal sprayed into the crowd
Crazy prizes
Nightclub lighting
Smoke machines
Congas
Inappropriate jokes
Cheesy music
Awesome music

…and loads more.

Everyone has a seat – there are long tables laid out you will be encouraged to dance on – but you will be next to strangers. There are no individual tables here. It’s all about encouraging interaction.

There’s food, drink, bingo tickets, loads of glitter and confetti and stuff all over the place. It’s chaos.

@amywright.pt Come with me to Bongos Bingo in Liverpool #bongosbingo #bongosbingoliverpool #nightoutinliverpool #thingstodinliverpool #liverpoolnightout #liverpoolnightlife #cometoliverpoolwithus ♬ original sound – Amy Wright

There are usually 6 bingo games with prizes for a line, two lines and a full house, just like normal. Plus prizes for non-bingo related things like dance offs. There are silly prizes, but you can also win hundreds of pounds, holidays… and Henry Hoovers.

The numbers are called in super quick succession though, so you will have to concentrate if you don’t want to miss one. Obviously, if you’ve had a few G and T’s that’s going to get more difficult as the night goes on.

The caller is a presenter aided by dancers on the stage. Expect foul language and plenty of micky taking. And if you accidentally call bingo when you don’t have it you will be mercilessly hounded by pretty much everyone in the room.

It’s awesome.

Sounds Ace – When Is It On?

It really is. I’ve been twice and had so much fun on both occasions it can’t have been a fluke.

Bongos Bingo Liverpool runs a few times a week. They have partnered with an events venue called Content. If you like live music you might already know it – it’s in Cains Brewery Village on Stanhope Street.

It’s a great big space with a bar and there are other units in the village that may be open too, which creates a great atmosphere before the bingo kicks off.

They run Bongo’s Bingo every Friday and Saturday for the most part, with doors opening at 6:00pm, last entry at 7:30pm and the first game starting at 8:00pm.

There are sometimes special events too, and the dates can be moved around a bit during Christmas and the like. During your standard week though, it’s a great way to start your Friday or Saturday night out.

You can see all of the Liverpool Bongos Bingo events here. It shows you what’s on in Liverpool without any of the other venues in other towns and cities getting in the way.

Why Do Scousers Love It?

Bongo’s Bingo isn’t specifically a scouse thing, they run nights all over the place, but it goes down especially well in Liverpool.

🎉 @BongosBingo Marks 10 Years With The Ultimate Party Weekend in Liverpool in 2025!https://t.co/bBsPZT92Dk

— Liverpool Noise (@Liverpool_Noise) November 8, 2024

Why? Because Liverpool is where it started in 2015, and Scousers love a party. We know how to enjoy ourselves, and Bongos Bingo Liverpool has been curated with a special brand of humour that Scousers love.

Since it started in our fair city, Bongo’s Bingo has a special place in hearts of Scousers. It kind of belongs to us, even though we let other towns and cities borrow the format.

I think it’s also the case that Liverpool is still a working class city at its roots, but also a very modern place. Bongo’s Bingo hits both of those things perfectly. Bingo is a working class game but this crazy take on it fits perfectly with the vibrant nightlife Liverpudlians can enjoy.

It’s fun, it’s unique, it’s unpretentious, and it’s a little bit mad. Sound like anyone you know?

They have pitched it perfectly at the start of a night out too. You don’t have to choose between Bongo’s and a more traditional night out. It’s finished by 11pm at the latest, so you can head off to dance into the wee hours.

Best of all, it’s different every time. It’s the sort of thing you can do every couple of months without it feeling stale.

Unlike all the cereal the poor cleaners have to sweep off the floor the morning after.