Calling all citizens and lovers of Hackney: Your nans’ fav game just had a full-blown glow up. Cheeky calls, disco balls, big laughs and plenty of prizes are all on the menu at bingo’s most eclectic, inclusive and entertaining show in town. Dabbers Social Bingo reinvigorates an iconic British pastime, replacing cups of tea with cocktails and bingo callers with hilarious comedians, dancers and sassy drag artists.
Following four successful years in Houndsditch Aldgate ruling the roost as the most riotous bingo venue in town, Dabbers Social Bingo are delighted to announce the opening of a second venue, this time taking their modern take on bingo to the ever-vibrant Hackney – Dabbers second location will be a 270 Mare St, London E8 1HE and will open on 18th November. Offering an unrivalled night of live entertainment in the heart of Hackney, just a 5-minute walk from Hackney Central Station.
The new venue, which has full wheelchair access follows the brand’s quirky and eccentric design. The top floor of the Hackney Picture House has been transformed into an 85-seater bingo hall with a choice of social, theatre and booth seating. impressive floor to ceiling bingo blower machine and of course a Inclusive ambience. Open Tuesday to Sunday with a 6-7pm happy hour on Tuesdays, and the opportunity to indulge in a Hackney-themed lunchbox on Saturdays and Sundays and bar snacks alongside cocktails, spirits and beers.
The venue’s new schedule includes the brand-new Dabbers Social Bingo Club; exclusive to Hackney and designed with awareness of so many people facing current cost-of-living challenges, this community focussed show designed to run at-cost for Dabbers, with no profit margin. Running every Tuesday, Dabbers Social Bingo Club will have all the glitz, sass and flamboyancy of Dabbers Bingo extravaganzas but offers discounted entry and half priced drinks. Dabbers have specifically created this night with the aim of bringing a much-needed fun evening out to those on a careful budget. Creative Director Jonny Unknown says of the endeavour “Our Social Bingo Club will not be means tested, you do not need to *prove* that you’d struggle to afford a full price night out order to be allowed in. But we really hope that people will respect the spirit of what the event is all about – so if they have money for our other nights, they leave Tuesdays open to those who could really benefit from a great evening at a heavily discounted price.”
Also exclusive to Hackney, the Bow Bells Bingo on Saturday afternoons brings an East London experience, complete with cockney rhyming slang bingo calls. Hosted by a Hackney local whose mother tongue has always included a wide range of cockney lingo; expect an immersive bingo show, theatrical cocktails, bangin’ tunes and hilarious prizes. Pro tip? Make sure to arrive when the doors open to soak up the bottomless bubbles and disco vibes before the bingo show begins.
No respectable East London experience would be complete without a tasty snack, or two. Here Dabbers bring a modern twist to their Hackney-inspired lunchbox, to enjoy a selection of fresh bagels, Pearly Kween oyster inspired cocktails and in a blast from the (Hackney) past meets the food of the future – vegan pork pies, vegan jellied eels with a twist and Espresso Martini milk bottles
Sundays in Hackney will bring Sunday’s a Drag hosted the legendary Kate Butch; The most outrageously fierce bingo Show in the East End. The weekly celebration of all things drag will bring top London DJs and sensational Drag Queen hosts, taking audiences on an interactive bingo journey. Whilst the teams are dabbing their afternoon away, they’ll be entranced by shimmy-worthy disco balls, simply fabulous tie-breaker challenges, and a healthy amount of sass. Audiences can also entertain their taste buds whilst the show kicks off on-stage with tantalising tipples, Hackney-inspired snacks and bottomless bubbles
Speaking about the opening Creative Director and Founder Jonny Unknown said: “The hospitality industry has been, and continues to be, one of the sectors hit hardest by and post pandemic. I’m so grateful to everyone who was with us through the virtual shows and continues to keep the party going IRL. Dabbers was started not only to repurpose and modernise the beloved game of bingo but also create an inclusive, sociable, accessible and entertaining community hub. So it’s with great happiness for myself and the team to announce Dabbers is now opening a second venue in Hackney. I can’t wait to put bingo back on the Hackney map, as the borough’s only venue dedicated to the game. Pop by and enjoy a diverse range of games with old friends or new in which everyone and their dog (literally) can enjoy! We really couldn’t have done it without you, so thank you to every single Dabber and my brilliant team.”
JONNY UNKNOWN | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Dabbers Social Bingo Hackney opens to the public on 18th November 2022. Bookings can be made directly on their website: https://dabbers.bingo/.
First Opening Week Schedule
17th – Press launch party will have a Pick’N’Mix show
18th – Bingo Voyage ( we give out trips and experiences)
19th – Bow Bells Bingo
19th – Jackpot Bingo
20th – Doggie Bingo
DABBERS BINGO – HACKNEY
270 Mare St, London E8 1HE
