Are you planning a small or large party for someone who loves playing online bingo? Then, you might want to consider hosting a fun-filled bingo night. But not just any bingo night will do: you’ll host a 1980s-themed bingo night.
It’s fair to say that the 1980s were bingo’s golden age and that 80s party games are a great way to have fun. Undoubtedly, an 80s bingo party will encourage plenty of nostalgia from all of your guests (even if they’ve never set foot in a traditional bingo hall in their lives) and make for an unforgettable night.
Read on to discover the top tips for putting an event like this together, from the bingo game itself to the food, the décor, the dress code, and the drinks. And if you’re interested in other exciting ideas, be sure to take a look at how to host a music bingo event as well. But for now, here’s a guide for the perfect 80s-themed bingo night.
Host a Bingo Game Online
If you’re planning a bingo night that will be a relaxed, casual evening with a handful of friends or relatives, then you save yourself the time, money, and effort and play bingo online with your friends. It’s so easy that it’s a great way to get your family playing bingo. Everyone can bring their own device, and you can all log onto Borgata Online to take part in the same live online bingo game. Once you’re all registered, let the fun (and other amazing benefits from playing bingo) begin.
Hosting a Bingo Game in Person
Hosting a bingo game in person may require more effort, but it can be just as fun. Here’s what you’ll need to get your live bingo game off the ground.
Organize Bingo Equipment
If you’re hosting a fundraiser or a large gathering of people, playing real bingo online could be tricky. In this instance, it’s best to set up everything you need to play traditional bingo instead. That means you’ll need to organize a cage and some bingo balls, create your own bingo cards, and supply your guests with bingo daubers. There are a few events companies that will be able to provide you with all of these necessities, but also be sure to check eBay for some vintage bingo supplies and paraphernalia for added effect, staying true to your 1980s theme.
Arrange a Bingo Host
Once you’ve got this sorted out, you’ll need a bingo caller responsible for calling out the numbers to all players. Ideally, this would be someone with plenty of personality and capable of projecting their voice, unless you’re hiring speakers and a microphone, in which case the latter won’t be necessary.
Bingo Prizes
Finally, don’t forget to consider the bingo prizes up for grabs. Of course, the number of winners will depend on the type of bingo you’re playing (like 75-ball or 90-ball bingo), so ensure that you’re prepared to compensate multiple winners if you’re playing a variant that allows for this. Ideally, you should offer generous cash prizes, but if this isn’t possible, then bingo-related or 80s-themed prizes should do the trick. Alternatively, you could make it easy for your guests to do a good deed by allowing the winner(s) to donate their winnings to the charity of their choice.
The Food and Drink
The key to food and drink at a bingo night? Keep it simple. Nobody expects to sit down to a formal meal, so it’s a great idea to provide a spread of tasty finger foods so that people can help themselves to a nibble before the game kicks off. If you want to get fancy, consider serving some bingo-inspired or 80s-themed finger foods, like bingo ball meatballs or cake pops and cheese fondue (a staple party snack in the 80s and still a firm favorite today).
Your guests will also look forward to sipping on a colorful virgin cocktail or other tasty beverage while playing. This is why hiring a bartender — who can focus their full attention on creating thirst-quenching drinks for your guests — is a good idea.
The Décor
Go big and bold when it comes to décor for your 80s bingo night. There’s no “right” or “wrong” way to decorate, so feel free to get creative. You’ll find heaps of inspiration on Pinterest, but a good place to start is to think of everything from that decade that you remember with fondness or that you know about through pop culture if you didn’t live through it. Cassette tapes, big hair, neon colors, glam rock, Pac-Man — the list goes on.
The Dress Code
Who doesn’t enjoy a classic 80s dress-up occasion? You’ll have two options regarding the dress code for your bingo night in reference to this theme.
The first is asking your guests to arrive in their craziest 80s get-up: leg warmers, frizzy hair, neon sunglasses, and all the bells and whistles.
The second is to request that they dress up as their favorite 80s icon. There are hundreds to choose from, including Madonna, Michael Jackson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Magic Johnson, and many others.
Regardless of which you go with, make sure your guests put in plenty of effort by offering a prize (like a cash prize or maybe a valuable vintage 90-ball bingo card or dauber) for the “best dressed,” and get everyone involved in the voting.
Play Online Bingo Games at Borgata Online
Looking for the best place to play bingo games online? Borgata Online is the home of world-class online bingo gambling in the U.S. Whether you’re hosting a small bingo night, looking to play bingo online with friends, or playing solo, Borgata Online has an incredible selection of live bingo rooms for you.
Borgata Online also welcomes new and experienced players to their platform and offers a selection of online bingo and other live dealer games and the chance to play Slingo online, which offers players an exciting combo of bingo and slots.
Taking a break from bingo? Discover countless other casino classics: online slots, casino table games, variety games, and more. Go ahead and register when you’re ready to explore.