Bingo is fast becoming a game for the young and vibrant. At the Half Door in Hartford, every Monday and Thursday nights, patrons in their early 20s and 30s flock to this Irish pub to drink, socialize and play bingo!

and what’s more, its not even about the money; there's no cover charge and the biggest prize for getting five numbers in a row is two free drinks!

Instead, it's the carefree atmosphere that keeps the clientele coming back for more. Regulars know the bartenders by first name and laugh at the bingo-caller's bad jokes. Groups of friends huddle over the numbered slips of paper in booths with worn, wooden tabletops. And when somebody yells Bingo! the ones who haven't won fling their cards in the air in a flurry of good-hearted catcalls and boos.

"It's just our twist on it," said bingo caller and DJ Tony Carreras. "It's not as high-stakes, and it's a lot more fun."

On a recent Thursday night, things started to warm up about 9, as patrons reported to the bar for their first beers of the night.

"People come right when it starts," said bartender and manager Spiro Koulouris, between fielding half-dozen orders. "It's a destination."

Jim O'Connell, 24, drove straight from work in Middletown to play, and he and a friend were wearing dress slacks to prove it. In Middletown, his usual bingo experience was of the church-basement variety, and on this night, he was excited to see a younger crowd.

"I love bar bingo," said O'Connell. "It's just a good time to drink and be with friends."

Bar bingo is yet another indication that bingo is on its way to the top of its game. People love the social aspect and being that the game is relatively simple to understand, a lot of fun can be had.