Traditionally, it has been the reserve of the older generation. The mere suggestion to younger folk of the opportunity to play free bingo in community centres throughout the nation would be greeted with derision and despair. Now, however, the Internet boom of bingo has made the game accessible to all, so much so that there exists now a group of young people that operate a clandestine meeting of young bingo-lovers. Yet it is much more than a few games of bingo. So much more. For the youngsters it is an opportunity to enjoy a game which has for so long been out of their hands and out of their style. This is the Underground Rebel Bingo Club.
The first rule of the Underground Rebel bingo Club is “Do not talk about the Underground Rebel Bingo Club”. Seriously. Although they do operate a “legit” meeting at EC1 (as advertised in The Guardian) they also organize events which are labeled as Residents Association meetings or as Brooklyn Neighbourhood Watch. That’s right – the URBC is international, operating on both sides of the Atlantic.
The birth of the club is, like its parties, surrounded in mystery. Their official website boldly proclaims:
“We used to throw parties in a church hall. At the end of the night we would hang out in the basement. The church grannies had a bingo kit stored there, and one night we started messing around with it. We were drunk. We knew it was wrong, but it felt good.”
Since then, the club has organised a host of events which View London has described as “the best kept secret” in the city. In between the obvious bouts of bingo – amid much yelling, shouting, drunkenness and cavorting – there is loud, loud music, dancing, comedy and burlesque cabaret. The only thing is it’s a secret. Calling the number on their official website will only get so far, and at this point the adventure is just beginning. If you think you can walk right in, you are mistaken:
“You won’t see us but we’re everywhere. You won’t here us but we’re right behind you. We're everywhere and nowhere, but wherever we are we're playing dirty, hardcore…Rebel Bingo on the down low.”
It’s every young man’s (bingo) dream.
