A decade since they burst onto the scene, Bongo’s Bingo has led the way to reinventing the classic number game - bringing dance-offs, rave intervals, and audience challenges to provide a whole lot more fun and chaos than the traditional format. Now moving to a new home at The Palais on Lower Parliament Street, we spoke to host Adam Apple to find out what it’s like to call the numbers and manage the mayhem.
How would you describe a night out at Bongo’s Bingo?
The one word that I’d use to sort of sum it up would be: inclusive. It’s no drama, there’s no hustle and bustle of clubs. You get that club atmosphere without actually having to go to one. It’s friendly with a hint of chaos and you get all walks of life. Every demographic comes - I’ve seen tables of 19-year-old girls celebrating birthdays and they’ve brought their 90-year-old gran.
There’s lots of audience participation, with various challenges and prizes given out throughout the night. What kind of things get the best reception when playing, and what do you hope to see from the audience?
I think it depends on us as hosts. I’ve done 80s themed shows where I’ve gone out and I’ve understood the brief. You don’t think the 80s were that long ago, but we are in 2025 and you’re like, ‘Oh wow, it really was.’ You can’t expect to walk out there onto a stage and have everyone up dancing all the time but generally that is what happens regardless. A round in, two rounds in, everyone has had a drink and it’s a good time. People tend to just let loose and lose their inhibitions and go, ‘Yeah, this is a night to remember.’
Could you take us back to your first show back in August 2021, and talk us through how you were feeling when you stepped out onto the stage for the first time?
My first show was in Sheffield, but I was watching (founder) Jonny Bongo do the Liverpool shows to see how it was done. That man knows how to hold a crowd. So obviously I was quite nervous going into my first show. We have a rules video before the show, so everyone knows how to play, but back then we just spoke the rules. So obviously, a couple of weeks before I’m in my bedroom going over lines trying to make sure I’ve got it right. I turn up to the Sheffield 02 and honestly, I hear the roar of the crowd before I go on and I had to go and be sick. I was so nervous, but the second you get out there, there is no buzz like it in the world. I have never had a job like this, I will never ever have a job like this again and I am planning on staying in it for as long as I can.
It’s friendly with a hint of chaos and you get all walks of life. I’ve seen tables of 19-year-old girls celebrating birthdays and they’ve brought their 90-year-old gran
Whilst false calls and hecklers are inevitable, how do you find grilling those audience members and what’s your go to response?
Ah - I love it. There's a couple of go-to lines and you can sort of bring current events into things a little bit, but it depends on the person. Every show is different. Every show brings a different crowd. So, you don’t go personal, you try to go as generic as possible just to prove your point and move on. Nine times out of ten someone’s turned up and they want the smoke. It’s just about playing along, making sure it’s safe and we can all still have a laugh. That’s the main thing.
Bongo’s Bingo is now pretty much in every major city in the UK. When you’re travelling to different UK cities do you feel the need to cater your shows to the city you're playing in?
Again, it depends on the host. We tend to change our shows regularly regardless just because even if we aren’t doing it to the same crowd, it does become a little bit stale for us. We tend to throw little bits in that we either steal from each other, or that we will dedicate a couple of days to it throughout the week to make sure that we have something special for the weekend. I always try to make sure that I play at least a couple of tunes from bands/artists from that area. Like Scotland for example, I cannot go anywhere in Scotland and not finish on the song Loch Lomond. It is illegal to play anything else.
How do Nottingham audiences compare with the audiences you get in other cities?
I think typically the British are just up for a laugh. They are there to have a good time and let their hair down and that’s it. One thing I will say about Nottingham is that I have never had a single bit of trouble. Everyone is very pally pally after the show, wanting a picture and to shake hands and say thank you for a good night. Don’t get me wrong though in the same token, they are absolutely mental but in the best way possible.
With the likes of Craig David and The Vengaboys making appearances at some of your shows, who have been some of your favourite guests to have on stage?
I mean watching Craig David was a bit of a childhood dream so that was great. Bongo’s 10th birthday has just been at the Liverpool Exhibition Centre on Saturday, and I am telling you- the Cheeky Girls, there is nothing like them. They were unbelievable. I stood up before anyone else. I was trying to get a standing ovation going. I was thinking this is unreal.
You’ve just started at the Palais, which turns 100 years old this April. What are your thoughts on being part of this historic venue?
It’s a massive moment. I have not seen the venue yet but I have seen photos. It’s a gorgeous venue. I am hoping that the energy from Rock City and the same crowd come along because it would be a great sort of christening for me to be there with that same type of audience. I just want to do it justice.
Last but most definitely not least what is your best advice for winning a dance-off?
Just be confident and be sure of yourself but don’t cross the line because the crowd can turn. The best possible thing you can do is just straight off the bat try and get the crowd on side. It doesn’t matter how good a dancer you are, if the crowd doesn’t like you then you will not win.
Bongo’s Bingo takes place at Rock City on Friday 18 April, and at The Palais on Saturday 5, Saturday 12, and Friday 25 April, with more dates to book in May. To book a ticket, head to their website below.
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