And Bingo Was Its Name-O

A A A Comments By Jef Otte Thursday, Mar 3 2011

In these hipster times, it’s only a matter of time before the traditional game of old people gets appropriated for ironic reasons. Thus, “we’re introducing bingo to a whole new generation,” says Luke Schmaltz, co-owner of Bender’s Tavern.

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“Some people get pretty gnarly about it,” he says of his bar’s weekly Bender’s Bingo game, where you can buy in at two cards for a buck and win prizes like free drinks or the random swag Bender’s management gets from liquor reps. “It’s kind of like, do you want a PBR, or do you want this Jägermeister hat?” he jokes. But here’s the real draw: At the top of each hour, the prize is the pot, which can reach such staggering sums as $50. “We don’t keep any of the money,” notes Schmaltz, which means more there’s more money at stake — and there’s nothing ironic about that. The game starts at 9 p.m. tonight and every Wednesday at Bender’s, 314 East 13th Avenue, and the first game is free if you show up dressed up in your “trailer-dwelling retiree garb.” Drink specials abound. For more information, check www.benderstavern.com.
Wednesdays, 9 p.m., 2010

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