Irish jigs, rave music and wacky prizes: NYC’s new bingo scene is not just for grandmas

This is not your grandmother’s bingo.

Bongo’s Bingo — a game night that features rave music, dance-offs, confetti and wacky prizes — is one of the city’s most winning new parties.

“It’s just so random and weird and fun,” said Dara Pollak, 39, a content creator who attended the most recent Bongo’s Bingo, held Thursday night at the Music Hall of Williamsburg.

“Everyone is just up dancing to this amazing music they play, and there is camaraderie between the tables.”

Bongo’s Bingo originated in the United Kingdom and events have been held around the world — from Australia to Ibiza (like any reputable nightlife trend) — for years. But the party only arrived in NYC this past February.

Last week’s game was the fourth event in the Big Apple. All have sold out. The next is slated for May 2 at Racket NYC in Chelsea; tickets start at $43.

“It’s something for everyone. It’s not pretentious, anyone can come, and it’s about letting loose and a little bit of escapism. The news is really bad, times are hard, and people can come here and just have fun,” said Jonny Bongo, 37, the party’s Irish co-founder who has hosted all four New York City shows.

During the course of the evening, which stretches past midnight, different numbers trigger various musical experiences on stage.

The number 33 summons an Irish jig and dancers take to the stage. The number six calls up “Hey Baby (If You’ll Be My Girl)” and more dancers.

In between games there are musical interludes such as a Shania Twain set and rave tracks from the UK.

Bongo said he’s made no effort to change the proceedings for American sensibilities.

“All these people were like, ‘Are you going to tailor it for the audience?’ and we didn’t. We kept it the same,” he said. “This is a typical British/Irish night out.

“As we say in Ireland, ‘It’s good craic,’” he added. “Not that kind of crack, just good fun.”

Christina Emedi, 41, a product manager who lives in Washington Heights, came to the evening dressed in bedazzled clothes and cat ears.

“Why not?” she said. “We thought it would be silly.”

She’s been looking for things to do in New York City besides hitting run-of-the-mill bars.

“It gets boring, so we like to mix it up,” she said. “When I saw this I was like, ‘I love bingo, and it’s a dance party. I’m in.’”

Her friend, Kelly Comeaux, a 43-year-old who works in graphics for Bloomberg Television and lives in Astoria, was there for more competitive reasons.

“I am most looking forward to winning,” she said before the festivities began. “I am a lucky person.”

The night’s prizes included a cardboard cutout of Liam Neeson, a custom-made disco-ball helmet, a vacuum cleaner, Cocoa Pebbles cereal, a limited-edition Disney princess box set, a karaoke machine and, for the more advanced rounds, cash prizes ranging from $100 to $500.

But, winners have to do more than just tick the boxes. After calling out “Bingo,” participants are invited up to the stage where they must perform in some manner.

“I had to ride a fluffy pink unicorn on stage. It was exhilarating.” said Will Gregory, 34, a West Village resident who attended his second NYC Bongo’s Bingo on Thursday. He previously lived in London and went to the parties there.

Ribet Ryder, 30, who works as a security guard, was shocked when she actually won.

“I was like, ‘Oh, ‘I only need one number,’ and then that number popped up, and I was like, ‘No f—ing way,’” she said.

She had been following the event for four years on Instagram, so she knew what winning meant.

To retrieve her her oversized bouncy ball prize, she first had to sit it on and hop about to the music for all to see.

“It was nerve-wracking, I was shaking,” she said. “But now I definitely feel like I can conquer anything. I won Bongo’s Bingo.”