Culture Vulture: Discover London’s Secret Nightlife

From off-the-wall, underground parties to the mysterious rebel bingo club, this week NICA are going boldly into the unknown to unearth the best of London’s alternative events. Mum’s the word!

Rebel Bingo Club

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The word bingo usually has us conjuring up images of decrepit halls filled with pensioners hoping to win a full house. But you won’t find that at the Rebel Bingo Club- a phenomenon which began in the basement of a church hall! The background music is loud, the location is unknown until the day of the event and the bingo is so unconventional that you’ll have to see it to believe it. Rebel Bingo has taken off in a big way, expanding from London into an international and UK wide revolution. Catch it whilst you can!

The Prohibition Party

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Wandering around the contemporary streets of Oxford Circus, it’s hard to believe that just minutes away in a Georgian mansion there’s a riotous 1920’s party taking off. Ladies arrive wearing beaded headbands, post box red lipstick and flapper dresses and men sport bow ties, army uniforms waistcoats, hats and moustaches.

This isn’t your typical fancy dress night, the decadent venue stretches 6 floors and is decked out with vaulted ceilings, shimmering marble tables and regal red curtains. Guests can choose from playing cards in the drawing room, a visit to the local picture house or simply by dancing the night away in the red room. Whether you choose to sip gin from teacups or try your luck on the roulette wheel, this is definitely a night to remember.

Secret Cinema

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Leave your phone at the door – that’s the first rule of Secret Cinema. This fully immersive experience has been dubbed as ‘the new way to experience films’ and it rings true. Guests sign up for mystery films at mystery locations, and essentially are expected to be a part of performance theatre. Last year, guests were invited along to Hackney Downs to watch the classic film Dirty Dancing upon the big screen. The entire surrounding area was transformed into the Kellerman’s holiday camp where the film is set, and guests were given the chance to indulge an range of activities from Yoga to archery!

Are you an alternative events queen? Tell us about your favourite underground events in London or beyond by tweeting us @Nica_Handbags