Remember bingo? The beloved pastime of British pensioners, haunting drafty village halls in forgotten seaside towns?
The yawn-inducing lottery game – in which a compere reads out a list of random numbers, and punters tick off their picks, shouting “bingo!” to signal a win – might be the antithesis of fast-paced, dazzlingly modern Dubai.
But now one nightspot is aiming to drag the beleaguered pastime kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
Cheese-tastic party starters Societe, at Marina Byblos Hotel, have put their own spin on the game. Dubbed “Bonkers Bingo”, the new weekly night will see guests greeted with a bingo card on entry, and trestle tables lining the normally raucous dance-floor.
TV face Layne Redman will be the official master of ceremonies, calling out the numbers, dishing out prizes and, apparently, “insults”. Whether they will be more inventive than crowing “two fat ladies” – Bingo-speak for the number 88 – remains to be seen.
Drawn scores will be decided by lip-sync tie-breakers battles, while painfully ironic prizes include will include a mobility scooter, cat diapers, doughnuts and inflatable toys.
"From the moment the guys at Bonkers Bingo got in touch with me, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of," said Redman, best known as co-presenter of Out & About on Dubai One.
“Bingo is such a British institution, loved by the older generation back home. Taking something like that and transforming it into this crazy party night is just such a great idea.”
The night starts on March 1 and runs from 9pm-11.30pm every Wednesday. For more information call 0503571126 or email Kristina@societe.ae
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)
Engine 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch
Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5