Bogan Bingo
Ever wondered what bingo with a mullet and a microphone would look like? Bogan Bingo has entered the chat. Brought to you by Australian native Darren Hillsley, Bogan Bingo has grown from a quirky alternative pub night to a global phenomenon.
There’s comedy. There’s chaos. And there’s classic 80s/90s anthems. Bogan Bingo has successfully exported its hard-rockin’ Aussie “comedy game-show” slash bingo party from Australia to South Africa and Canada, and to the United Kingdom, now in its 17th year in the UK.
Here’s all you need to know:
- Bogan Bingo Event Overview
- What to Expect at Bogan Bingo
- Bogan Bingo Tickets & Booking Information
- Upcoming Dates & Locations
- Games & Prizes at Bogan Bingo
- Food & Drink Options
- Testimonials & Reviews
- FAQs
Bogan Bingo Event Overview
Hillsley and his rock’n’roll co-conspirators are bingo’ing with a bang thanks to the boozy, noisy, laidback Aussie-style show that gets crowds rockin’ to hits from AC/DC, Bon Jovi and other mullet-based bands.
Bogan Bingo may have been born in the land down under inspired by working class 1980s Australian culture, but it suits the UK crowd. This is more than just a classic game of bingo: it’s a stand-up show and rock ‘n’ roll party all rolled into one, hosted by Mullet-wearing comedians who work the crowd with their Aussie banter.
Based in Brighton but will travel, if you love a fun night out where you can let your hair down, sing along with the best classic tracks, play some air guitar, and have a go at some bingo too, you cannot go wrong at Bogan Bingo. There’s evening shows, bottomless brunches, themed events, lots of audience participation for anyone who’s willing, and always an energised crowd for the ultimate bingo. down under experience.
Find out more below in our Bogan Bingo review.
What to expect at Bogan Bingo
What is Bogan Bingo exactly? Strap in and prepare yourself when entering a Bogan Bingo event. When you arrive at any venue that is hosting a Bogan Bingo event, you will be guided to the table you have pre-booked when you bought your tickets where you will find all the bingo cards and dabbers ready. The vibe is loud and hilarious with flashing lights and lots of 80s anthems blasting. Once all the teams are settled and ready to play the classic game of bingo commences and your only job is to daub off any matching numbers called. Many come with a distinctly Australian twist, like ball “Number 80 – a dingo stole my baby” and number 44 which is dedicated to legendary crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin, who died at that age.
One of the most striking parts of a Bogan Bingo night is undoubtedly the hosts who can be found at every venue, swigging from cans of beer, brushing their mullets, with a traditional bingo ball dispenser close by. The caller’s sidekick is the DJ, blasting out the hits to accompany various different calls. Note that you’ll be asked to jump up, strike a pose, and shout “BLOODY BINGO!” in your most convincing Australian accent if you get a win. The other rituals that go with various numbers will be explained to you before the show starts.
Expect the unexpected – anything from line dancing to an exceptionally long conga line.
Evening shows normally start around 8pm and last for 2 hours until about 10pm. Be warned: “Where applicable, the after party runs late”.
Bogan Bingo Tickets & Booking Information
Read on for how to attend Bogan Bingo.
Bogan Bingo recommends you book tickets directly from the website because even if you’re able to purchase tickets on the door, there’s no guarantee you’ll be seated with your friends. To make a group booking, specify the same group booking name when prompted during purchase, or shoot across an email informing of group size and to provide a food pre-order.
Depending on the type of package booked, ticket prices can range from around £14 to £40. The higher prices normally come with a food and drinks package.
There’s no need to print your tickets – your name will be on the door.
If you are looking for any large group booking discounts or private hire (Bogan Bingo has worked with many of the biggest companies in the world including Disney, Adidas, ITV, Nestle, and Visa), it is best to contact Bogan Bingo UK directly.
Bogan Bingo Dates & Locations
Launched in London in 2008, Bogan Bingo has toured across the UK, Europe, and Australia as a show/event, plus as a fringe/festival act too. There are also many recurring cities and Bogan Bingo venues such as Komedia Brighton and London.
If you’re free of a Saturday afternoon in Brighton, try Bogan Bingo Bottomless Brunch. It’s 90 minutes of bottomless drinks (selected, of course) including Komedia Pilsner, Orchard View Cider, Naughty Bear Pale Ale, Bloody Marys, Mimosas, Single House Vodka + Mixer, Single House Gin + Mixer), a meal (vegan and vegetarian options included), and the Bogan Bingo show. Kicks off at 12:30 and goes until 2pm. There’s an Afterparty DJ set from the Bogan Bingo boys with classic hits from the 80s & 90s.
Bogan Bingo shows take place regularly, so make sure you do not miss out by visiting the website.
Games & Prizes At Bogan Bingo
Bogan Bingo is a bingo game where you will have bingo cards with numbers that can be daubed when matching bingo numbers are called. So it’s somewhat standard in format, but note that all Bogan Bingo events are strictly 18+ and not suitable for anyone who is easily offended or of a sensitive nature. The events even have a non-obligatory but encouraged dress code: trailer trash fashion or ’80s passion!
Prizes can range from quirky novelty items like photos of pigs and cans of Foster to bigger cash giveaways, depending on the night. Think Bogan Bingo ponchos (aka a bin bag), branded brushes and dustpans or even a holiday abroad. The hosts always keep the prizes fun and interesting.
Food & Drink options
As many Bogan Bingo events are hosted in pubs, bars and clubs, there are plenty of great drink and food options. Expect cocktails, pints and spirits to coincide with this Aussie comedy show. While some venues will provide table service you may need to go to the bar to order food and drinks at other locations.
The Bogan Bingo Bottomless Brunch is as described above, but in addition, one reviewer recommends “the breakfast burger, which landed on the table stacked high with a pork patty, bacon, fried egg, ketchup and crisp hashbrowns, all tucked into a pretzel bun”.
Testimonials & Reviews
Bogan Bingo has been running for nearly two decades in the UK, which speaks to its huge success and popularity. Attendee reviews on Facebook have described it as the “Best night out in ages“, “a very clever mix of great music, jokes, a good game of bingo and cheesy prizes” and a “great time the hosts were fantastic!”‘.”
“Bogan Bingo bottomless brunch is chaotic, loud and unpretentious. If you’re up for something brilliantly bonkers, this is it”. Brighton Journal
“An absolutely top night out! If you love singing along to 80s tunes & a good laugh as well as a bit if Bingo there’s no better way to spend a Friday night with friends!” Nicola B
“Strap in and prepare to experience the simmering chaos of Bogan Bingo!…” Time Out, London
Bogan Bingo FAQs with Founder Darren "Day" Hillsley
What is the Bogan Bingo experience?
Bogan Bingo is the chaotic comedy bingo game show of mullets, mayhem and 80s anthems. Hosted by 2 loveable, salt-of-the-earth Aussie blokes with a penchant for beers, bingo and bad language.
Why is the event/show different from other live bingo events?
As the longest running bingo hall show in London, Bogan Bingo has seen the bingo landscape change and grow over the years. At its heart, Bogan Bingo is a comedy show – a hilarious night out that appeals to a broad demographic and continues to sell out every week even after all these years.
Where did the idea for Bogan Bingo come from?
Bogan Bingo was born in Melbourne Australia in 2005 as one man’s quest to get more people to play the great sport of bingo.
How long has Bogan Bingo been running?
On a weekly basis launched in London April 2008.
How will live bingo continue to evolve over the next decade?
The appetite for unique, fun experiences will continue to grow as will the number of live bingo offerings, each with their own spin or theme on the classic game
Where did the inspiration come from for an 80’s bingo show?
A “Bogan” is an urban Australian character that was at their peak in the 1980’s. The styling of the characters was based on this and hence the music needed to reflect the time also. Plus, the 80s are such a smorgasbord of classic rock anthems.
Did the characters develop over time, or did you initially rehearse the content?
The characters were developed over time and continue to develop. New ‘Bogans’ bring new ideas to the characters and essentially create different versions of the characters.
How much does the younger generation connect to the 80’s theme and scheme?
Much of the music is timeless and our track selection leans heavily into the classics. Unsurprisingly the younger generation are familiar with all the hits.
Blingo Hip Hop Bingo
Bogan Bingo has been such a roaring success that the team behind it have spawned another imaginative brainchild that is attraction similar attention: Blingo.
The concept is similar to Bogan Bingo, but there are hip-hop hits in place of the rock classics, and you can expect lip sync battles, dance-offs, and “an all killer, no filler hip-hop and RnB soundtrack”. The hosts are Grandma Flash and her 87-year-old lover, who bring more than two decades of experience in the entertainment and comedy industry to their hilarious bingo rap show.
Blingo has taken London by storm with a successful run of sold-out shows, and you can now book tickets for Blingo events over at HipHopBingo.com/liveshows.
You can even book Blingo for your own event, and the team will bring the party to your location, including all the bingo equipment required and a sound system loaded with hip-hop classics.
Blingo games last roughly an hour, and the team regularly host an after-sh
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