Gringo Bingo – Burger, Beer, & Bingo 

If you’ve never been to Clutch Burger’s Gringo Bingo, it’s time you showed up for a lively Tuesday night. Gringo Bingo takes place every month, as it has for two and half years. 

The moment we walked in, the crowd was fully energized, getting started on their first round of drinks. There are lots of regulars at Gringo Bingo, but a fair share of newcomers showed up, including our party of three. We were all asked to raise our hands and were welcomed with a round of applause. 

Clutch Burger owner Steve Bradley is the host of the Bingo night, and caller of the numbers, with a voice and persona like a sportscaster. He keeps the crowd engaged, while the DJ complements the energy in the room. He started with hits from the 70s and 80s, like YMCA by the Village People and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” 

You can purchase 12 Bingo cards for $25, or 13 for $30. Once the games begin, the competition gets intense. Gringo Bingo is no ordinary Bingo. If you want your prize, you have to shout, “Show me the dough, Gringo!” when you get four in a row. Otherwise, when you get five in a row your “Gringo Bingo!” winning shout won’t count. But the incentives are worth shouting for. Prizes included a free drink at Clutch Burger and a Free Burger VIP Card (one free burger every month for a year!) But the best prize of the night was auctioned off: a ReefQuest boating excursion around Islamorada – drinks, captain, and snorkeling gear included. Bidding began at $250 and went to $400. 

The best part of Gringo Bingo (besides being able to order a burger) is that all profits go to charity – donated to the Coral Gables Woman’s Club Dental Clinic and other good causes, such as SmartRide, a massive bicycle ride from Miami to Key West in support of AIDS service organizations. And kudos to the staff – cooks, and servers – who all worked sans pay in support of the causes. Bingo!