When I say bingo, I’m sure the first thing that pops into your head is the hottest hush hush party to hit the LA scene right? No, it’s most likely decrepit old people with arthritis and rectal problems. Whatever the case, you’ve never experienced bingo until you’ve done it with hundreds of face painted, drunk, sweaty people dancing around you.
The Underground Rebel Bingo Club only comes around town every once in a while, and part of their schtick is keeping the whole thing on the down low. Being touted by the LA Times as “the new game in town” this party started in the basement of a church in London. And after experiencing this one time, I can tell you whoever started this in a church basement is going to hell. (thanks for taking one for the team, mate.)
First of all, you get in line with the instructions to tell anyone passing by that you’re headed in to a motivational seminar- which sounds legit enough if it weren’t for the fact that half the people in line already looked three quarters of the way to blacked out, and the other half were wearing neon short shorts. When you get inside you’re handed a bingo card and let loose on the venue. Drinks ensued, I ended up getting painted on by a random person’s marker, thought I won bingo a few times, even knew someone who did- and it all went uphill from there.
The funny thing is, the bingo is one of the best parts of the night. Everyone is so off their rocker, you end up rooting each other on because you forgot to mark your own bingo card. And the guy running the whole event is one foul mouthed (yet gorgeous, I must say) Brit, with a penchant for telling people they haven’t won bingo and getting them booed off stage. Once the second round of bingo is done, you’re welcome to stay and enjoy yourself until whenever you choose to leave.
By the time I left I was covered in marker (there’s no denying it this time) and getting in trouble with the bar tender for stealing those delicious little green olives. (I was hungry). If you’re looking for something new and different to do in Los Angeles, make sure you get on the mailing list for this and go next time. You won’t regret it.