Diary: Bingo calling

The buzz around social entertainment venues is certainly not subsiding. We’ve had tech-fuelled darts, ping pong and crazy golf, and now bingo is looking to increase its foothold in the space.

But while there have been many pop-up bingo nights at venues all over town, permanent bingo halls have long been the preserve of leisure parks, seaside towns and old age pensioners, but Diary understands that could all be about the change, with the launch of industry-supported Dabbers Social Bingo Club.

The new concept is set to become home to “the UK’s first contemporary venue purposefully designed to celebrate the beloved game of bingo”.

It is thought a site in Aldgate is in the offing, and Diary understands that Bingo Forever Limited – a company that lists an interesting collection of industry names, has trademarked the name of the concept.

According to Companies House, Lyn Goleby, former MD of Picturehouse Cinemas is serving as company director, Ed Wethered, who last year was seeking investment to get American Bingo off the ground, is playing a consulting role, and Luke Bishop, former MD at Polpo, is listed as ops manager.

In other bingo news, Bingo Academy – founded by co-founder of Rebel Bingo Freddie Sorensen – has announced it will be heading to a new home at The Kitty Hawk bar and restaurant near Moorgate, following stints at Mecca Bingo and The Vaults.

Meanwhile Diary is awaiting news of the first Hijingo! bingo site from Adam Breeden and Rebel Bingo creator James Cordon. A Facebook page has been created for the concept that lists 121 Holborn – the location of Bounce Farringdon – as its address – so might it open as a pop-up within the ping pong venue? Diary can only speculate.