I documented several London-based Bingo groups for the Togetherness issue of Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazine. I’ve long been drawn to the social rituals that bind people together, and bingo halls are one such space where this plays out in especially touching ways. Beyond the game itself, bingo fosters a unique culture of camaraderie—where regulars form enduring friendships, routines become acts of care, and laughter and conversation fill the quiet spaces between numbers.
People pass the time with gentle rituals—painting their nails, leafing through newspapers, or simply soaking in the warmth and comfort the hall provides, especially as energy costs rise. As one regular told me: “It’s a good social day out. You can have a meal and a drink… Even if I don’t win, it’s still a good day out. And if you win, it’s a bonus.”
Three generations often sit side by side at tables, as family-run teams keep the halls buzzing with warmth and tradition. Lucky charms and trinkets dot the tables—tiny talismans brought along in hope, habit, or superstition—each one part of the theatre of play and shared community.
It’s not just about winning; it’s about gathering. These venues often serve as vital social lifelines, especially for older generations, offering both companionship and continuity. In a world where loneliness and disconnection are increasingly common, the community found within bingo halls reveals how seemingly ordinary spaces can become anchors of support, joy, and shared experience.
