There was a time when bingo halls were everywhere in Britain. In the 1960s, more than 150,000 people a day were walking through their doors, and millions were registered players. Then online bingo arrived and many assumed that was the end of the story.
But instead of fading away, land-based bingo has adjusted. These days, you’ll find bingo played under glittering chandeliers, inside former theatres, and even in neon-lit club spaces with DJs spinning between rounds. It’s not just about dabbing numbers anymore. It’s about the experience.
If you’re curious where to start, here are some of the best bingo halls in the UK right now.
Buzz Bingo, Tooting
South London’s Buzz Bingo might be the most jaw-dropping setting for a game of bingo anywhere in the country. The Grade I listed building began life as a 1930s Art Deco cinema, and before bingo took over, legends like Frank Sinatra, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles performed here.
It’s now open to over-18s and mixes traditional paper bingo with electronic gaming and slot machines. There’s live entertainment too, plus food and drink to keep you going through the night.
Mecca Bingo, Taunton
In Somerset, Mecca Bingo sits inside what used to be the Gaumont Theatre. Back in the 60s, it hosted David Bowie and The Beatles. There’s something satisfying about playing bingo somewhere with that kind of history.
You can book your slot online, show up without queuing, choose between morning, afternoon or evening sessions, and switch between paper and touchscreen depending on your mood. Add in slots, food and drinks, and this is one place that everyone will always feel at home playing bingo no matter the occasion. It balances nostalgia and convenience without trying too hard.
Apollo Bingo, Rhyl
Over in Wales, Apollo Bingo brings some more of the 1930s charm. The Art Deco exterior was Grade II listed in 1989, and while it might look modest from the outside, the interior tells a different story.
A £500,000 renovation in 2016 put in a new entrance, stage and seating. It’s proof that you can modernise without losing the character.
The Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch
In Shoreditch, The Queen of Hoxton is known for its drag bingo evenings. Drawing inspiration from the energy seen on RuPaul’s Drag Race, these nights mix performance, humour, and classic bingo.
It’s loud, bold, and very different from your standard sessions.
Dabbers Social, Aldgate
If your idea of bingo involves neon lights and themed nights, Dabbers Social is the one. Right in the heart of London, this venue has helped redefine what a bingo night can look like.
Dog Bingo. Brunch Club Bingo. Dance battles on stage. There are tacos and bottomless brunches, and the music is loud enough to make it feel like a Saturday night out. It’s bingo, but louder. And sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
Final Thoughts
From restored 1930s cinemas to club-style venues packed with DJs and drag hosts, the best bingo halls in the UK offer more variety than ever. Some embrace their history. Others look to the future. All of them prove that bingo is still very much part of Britain’s social life.
So whether you’re in it for the jackpots, the architecture, the nostalgia, or the themed brunches, there’s a hall out there with your name on it.
