This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Written by Joe Bieker
When the announcement, "See Charlotte at the pickle bar" came over the loud speakers at the Longmont Bingo Alley, I had no idea what to make of it and if a bar existed that served up pickles. It turns out it is a Bingo game where you have to go up to a service counter and pay extra for the chance to win more money, and Charlotte was the person selling the games. This is where I found myself last week in exploring entertainment options in Longmont.
The “Alley,” on the west side just off North Main St. and 19th, was hosting a fundraiser for the Longmont High School Music Boosters. Other nights might find it playing host for such organizations as the various Lions Clubs, FHS Booster Club, special events, and many others. They are licensed for Bingo games and pull tabs.
The building inside has quintessential décor depicting the 1950’s. There’s a mural on the wall of the “Star Lite Drive Inn” honoring a Longmont past, before laws were passed forbidding what most teenagers to cruise up and down Main Street in their cars hanging out and seeing what was going on, especially on weekend nights. (Today those laws outlawing “cruising” still stand on Main and Kimbark streets along with the street signs stating as much.) What is missing from those days of old is cigarette smoke hanging in the air, even though the building experienced much of that as it previously was a bowling alley (hence the “alley” in Bingo Alley). Today it is functional with the 50s theme and raised stage area for the Bingo caller to pull the numbers out and call them.
The crowd of about 130 people was very friendly and mixed between families, groups of friends, couples, and singles. It was obvious by the hand sewn “gaming bags” that most of these folks were regulars and knew of each other, even though everybody spaced themselves apart in groups at the tables. The occasional support from others was essential, as the games were all unique and not one of them was the typical up-down or diagonal games I was experienced with. Each game had a different pattern to fill out to win, and that pattern was displayed on a large electronic screen next to where the Bingo numbers were shown after being called out.
It was $7.00 to play one set of games (there were 8 games per “sheet” that night, and with intermission, the event lasted from 7-9:15 p.m.) with each game winner awarded either $100.00 or $150.00. A “dauber”, or marking pen, is also required, and they could be purchased for $1.00 each. The three folks next to me had 16 game sheets going at a time, even though I think I would have been pressed to manage maybe three, but I was new to the gig. Interestingly, of those three people with 16 game sheets each, none of them won that night. One person up close to the caller won twice.
The food concession area was similar to those counters in older movie theatres, with many offerings of candy. The popcorn was outstanding and priced at only $1 a bag, and there was can selections of soda to compliment the soda dispensing options. Everybody was very kind and helpful, and even though this was gambling, there was the knowledge it was for a good cause.
So if perhaps you find yourself wondering what to do some night, perhaps checking out the Longmont Bingo Alley would be an interesting, different experience.
