Drag Queen Bingo: Everything You Need to Know

During the 1950s and 1960s bingo was one of the most popular pastimes in the USA, enjoyed by millions of players up and down the country. Half a century later the game was struggling to attract players, leading many experts to predict a time when bingo would become obsolete.

Fortunately, a fresh breath of life was breathed into bingo by the emergence of the online sector during the mid-2000s. It wasn't just the online sector that helped to turn around bingo's fortunes, there were other factors at play, like glamorous drag queens...

Read on to find out just how Ru Paul's disciples helped to revitalize and reinvigorate bingo in North America.

What is Drag Queen Bingo?

Quite simply, it is a synergy between bingo and Drag Queen culture. Drag Queen Bingo is the name of the game as the fusty old bingo caller is replaced by a sparkling Drag Queen, who calls the numbers and cracks jokes at the same time.

Audience participation is encouraged at these events, but if you're thinking of heckling the caller be prepared for a truly savage comeback!

Where Did Drag Queen Bingo Come From?

In the 1990s, the director of development for the Chicken Soup Brigade (a not-for-profit AIDS charity), Judy Werle, was tasked with coming up with new and effective fundraising ideas.

"I checked out places where people gathered and spent money because I figured if you had that you could redirect the money to a good cause," said Werle when quizzed on the thinking behind Drag Bingo.

The first-ever Drag Bingo evening was hosted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in Seattle, and it was a huge success, with punters queueing around the block to get a glimpse of the action.

That successful first evening sparked a boom in Drag Bingo, with other AIDS charities getting in on the action. The turning point, however, came in 2001, when documentary filmmaker Tim Holsten was inspired to make a film about Drag Bingo after attending a raucous, yet touching, event himself.

The film was a hit, and brought Drag Bingo to the attention of millions of people, including event promoters who were keen to replicate its success. Drag Bingo soon spread to Boston, Chicago, Denver, and other U.S. cities, before expanding across the globe to Europe and Australasia.

These fun-filled evenings can now be enjoyed in almost every major city on the planet, all thanks to the ingenuity and passion of creator Judy Werle.

What Makes Drag Bingo Popular?

In the 1990s, bingo was getting boring and drab, there's no denying that. It needed a spark, a jolt, and it got that through the introduction of glamorous of Drag Queens.

The synergy of the two was perfectly timed. Bingo no longer had that fusty feel that had plagued it for decades, it was now fun, fresh and exciting. Likewise, Drag Queens were introduced to a brand-new audience after years of success on the gay scene.

Comedy combined with the hopes of winning big on the bingo was always going to be fun, but perhaps the biggest draw to Drag Bingo was, and still is the community feel at the events.

There's a distinct feeling of two different yet similar tribes coming together and bonding over a common goal. Players have made friends for life at Drag Bingo evenings, and the events have certainly gone a long way to raising awareness for the LGBTQ+ community.

First Time Experiencing Drag Bingo?

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of bars and clubs around the world where you can enjoy Drag Bingo. If you want to try out a game of bingo and get to grips with the game first, though, you should play online with Wink Bingo.

The online company is renowned for its bingo facilities and a variety of gaming options for their players. Use this to get a feel and vibe for the game before heading to your first real-life Drag Bingo event.

Before we finish, we'll leave you with three venues from around the U.S. that you can try out once you've graduated from online bingo.

GAYme Night Tuesdays, Seattle

If you want to experience the very best in Drag Bingo, then you have to head to its birthplace Seattle. Every Tuesday from 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm the Unicorn hosts an amazing Drag Bingo evening with fun, festivities, and huge cash prizes.

There's a distinct circus vibe to these events, which are hosted by the excellent Ravishing Ruby Bouche and the hilarious Glamazon Goddess Isabella Extynn. These evenings are regularly packed out, so make sure you get there early to grab a great seat.

Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center, New York

If you're in the Big Apple then you should get yourself down to the Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center. Harmonica Sunbeam, the self-proclaimed Queen of Bingo, has been entertaining audiences for over 27 years.

At these events she draws on all of her experience to come up with a rapturous evening of gags and glamour. Check online to book tickets in advance as Harmonica Sunbeam's devoted cult following won't be shy in booking out the evening.

World Cultural Center, San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the best places in the world to enjoy live Drag Bingo. The World Cultural Center plays regular host to a series of specially organized events featuring some of the biggest names in the Drag Queen world.

In addition to the bingo itself, these evenings pack in appearances from live performers to break up the hardcore bingo action. Check out their social media pages to see who's performing soon and to book tickets.