Perhaps the great-great-grandmother who played bingo in Yorkshire said it best when she said that bingo is all about togetherness and community. In a 2020 interview with a Yorkshire newspaper, she talked about just how big a part of her life that bingo has played.
But why is Yorkshire such a hub for bingo?
The Rise of Bingo
There were once thousands of bingo halls all over the UK, and slowly as the rise of online bingo happened, they started to close. Except that Yorkshire managed to retain more than a few of the best. In the 50s and long into the 90s, bingo halls were packed with people of all ages, but when it became so easy to play bingo online, especially if you already knew how to play bingo.
Bingo fit in with the busy lives of people because it was typically a weekend and evening event – meaning that after a week of work or child-rearing, people could go and enjoy a drink, some food, and a few rounds of bingo.
While London holds the crown for the most land-based bingo halls, West Yorkshire is close on its heels. And considering the size difference, that can come as quite a surprise!
Online Bingo Popularity
Between the initial rise in bingo popularity, then a dip – and now the revival, there has been one huge thing that happened. Online bingo! Online bingo has made bingo more popular in terms of player base than it was when it was only brick-and-mortar halls. Giutnux estimates that there are over 100 million players across the world, which is no easy feat for a 500-year-old game.
Bringing bingo online means that people can play in their favourite bingo hall, and then take the experience online too.
But for those who love some land-based bingo, with the chatter and the joy of shouting BINGO, here are some of the best and most popular Yorkshire bingo halls.
Buzz Bingo
Buzz Bingo is the bingo hall that great-great-great-grandmother mentioned early has enjoyed for years. Buzz Bingo is a great purpose-built bingo hall that is easy to get to just to the west of the city centre.
This location was once the Gala Leeds but was rebranded and reopened in 2018 and has been buzzing since!
This bingo hall is open Monday – Saturday and has some morning sessions, afternoon, and evening sessions too! For those who want to play but not spend too much, they run budget days too.
Mecca Leeds
Mecca is a name that has been synonymous with bingo since 1961, when they first opened their doors. For those who are looking to scoop some of the biggest prizes in a land-based bingo place, then here is the place to go. Of course, online bingo tends to have many biggest prizes!
Since there are a few bingo halls in Yorkshire, there are also a few Mecca Bingo options, but if you want to play at the most popular one – the Mecca Leeds Mayfair, located on New York Street, is the place to go.
This location can host 800 players per session, which means even with only a quarter of the place filled, it’s buzzing with atmosphere and plenty of people to enjoy playing with.
For those who want to fit in a game in the morning, it opens at 10 am between Monday to Saturday and midday on Sunday.
Clifton Bingo York
While big and well-known branded bingo halls are always fun, sometimes the smaller bingo halls are enjoyable. You’re more likely to meet the same people every week and build a community too.
They offer some great value games and prizes too, and if you want to make the most of it, look out for their All Winners Day and bank holiday specials.
Clifton Bingo offers electronic bingo, and you can enjoy drinks and some tasty food too. Like some of the bigger brands, you can find great deals and offers on their social media platforms.
Regal Bingo Bridlington
The Regal Bingo Hall is open 12 hours a day, and just like many other bingo clubs, the games and offers change regularly – so you’ll need to keep an eye on their website and social media for offers.
While playing at the Regal Bingo Hall, it has a gorgeous location which means you’ll get a great view – because it stands right by the seafront. One thing that the Regal Bingo Hall has a reputation for is that it offers very generous portions when it comes to its food – so you can easily enjoy a great evening with friends and family.
Yorkshire has long been a place for community, and bingo has been an integral part of that for many years. Since it is home to some of the best bingo brands and a city that holds more bingo halls than many others – it is no wonder that bingo is so popular here.
