Over the last decade, bingo has become one of the world’s favourite pastimes. This is most probably due to the rise of online bingo, which allows fans of the game to join bingo games anywhere, any time, as long as they have a solid internet connection. These online bingo sites also give out incredible prizes with thousands of dollars up for grabs each and every single day. Interestingly, this uptake in online bingo has led to many real-world establishments hosting their own bingo nights, and nowhere is this more apparent than in New York City.
Here, we’ll be looking at some of the best places you can visit to get your bingo fix in NYC. Even better, they’re not your average bingo halls or flashy casinos; each venue has created a bingo night simply for the love of the game and so that you can come together with your friends to play.
4. Stonewall Inn, Greenwich Village
Now, we’re not saying there’s anything wrong with sitting in and playing online bingo. Quite the contrary; it’s now easy to use sites like Oddschecker to find no-deposit bingo promotions and then play the night away with friends, all in the comfort of your own home. However, if you’re looking for something a little more… social, we recommend Stonewall Inn’s Monday night Kenny Dash Drag Bingo. Kenny Dash is a comic impersonator who brings the fun to the historic Stonewall Inn every week, handing out mad prizes while patrons feed on buttered popcorn. Plus, there’s the promise of ‘hot boys’ on the poster. Just saying.
3. The Standard Grill, Meatpacking District When has a hotel just been a hotel, especially in NYC? Well, The Standard High Line in the Meatpacking District certainly isn’t. Situated on top of a former elevated train line, this hotel is packed full of 338 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, a German beer garden, a rooftop discotheque named Le Bain and an outdoor plaza which doubles as an art gallery and ice rink depending on the time of year. The best bit is probably the award-winning Standard Grill, where you’ll find one of the best bingo games happening every Sunday morning. Yes, we said morning – 9am, in fact. Aptly named Not Your Standard Bingo, the event is so popular you have to book a month in advance, so it must be worth waking up for.
2. Le Poisson Rouge, Greenwich Village
If you’re looking for great music in Greenwich Village, Le Poisson Rouge on Bleeker Street has got you covered. In fact, it is listed as one of the most popular music venues in all of NYC and even has stamps of approval from both Time Out New York and The Corcoran Group. However, music isn’t the only thing that Le Poisson Rouge is known for around town, as they also host some of the best bingo nights in the city. Every Friday and Saturday night, patrons come together to play ‘Linda Loves Bingo’, NYC’s number one drag show where hostess Linda Simpson hands out prizes including store discounts and cash jackpots. The event is completely free to enter, and bingo cards are just $2 each, plus there’s a full bar and food menu available.
1. Tortilla Flats, Greenwich Village
When it comes to Mexican eateries in New York City, Tortilla Flats on Washington Street, Greenwich Village is by far one of the best. The restaurant has a long-established reputation for providing fantastic food, drinks you can’t get anywhere else and a lively party atmosphere. Even the décor is exciting, with multicoloured fairy lights strung between each corner and metallic tassels donning every crevice. It’s no surprise really that their Tuesday night bingo sessions are so popular, attracting plenty of locals as well as in-the-know tourists who have done their research. True, the prizes don’t quite match those at true bingo halls and they can’t compete with the cash prizes given out at online casinos, but who could possibly turn down free drinks at this amazing Mexican bingo party?
There you have it, four venues where bingo completely takes over for at least one night a week. Let us know if you have ever attended one of these nights, or if there are any other places where bingo is big that we should try out.
