Should any unsuspecting pensioners wander down to T-Bar after translating the title 'Gay Bingo' in the traditional sense, they may be in for a bit of a shock. Everyone will indeed be having a gay old time but this fast-paced, highly camp event is a far cry from your average Gala granny-fest.

For a start, the setting is rather more 'urban chic'. Set in a former tea warehouse, T-Bar's industrial piping and large white brieze blocks are offset by theatrical sweeping purple curtains and flocks of seagulls painted on pale green walls.

It provides a fitting setting for the most flamboyant bingo-caller in town, Satanica Pandamonia, to take centre stage, resplendent in a tweed twin-set, fur stole, huge bird's nest wig and teeth Janet Street Porter would be envious of.

Stuttering, loud, hyperactive and OTT, she warms-up the ever expanding crowd as they take their places in black and white swivel chairs, grab their Crayola stubbers and cast an eager eye over the bingo sheets in front of them.

With Jamelia pumping out of the sound system overhead, the eager bingo beavers are told to wave their bingo cards in the air. The music is then dipped and the balls start to roll (or rather Satanica's able assistant flicks the electronic switchbox, this is the 21st Century, darling).

Gay Bingo virgins are given a baptism of fire, As Satanica launches into the first round, shouting out the numbers with terrifying speed — there's no allowances made here for hearing aids, shaky hands or regular trips to the toilet.

They'll no doubt be grateful for their slow reaction time once they see the reception any cries of 'house' receive - a chorus of boos greets the winner as he or she gets up to pick from a selection of prizes, ranging from Calvin Klein and Ikea goodies to trays of tequila and sets of gay porn.

As they return to their seats they are showered with a hail of scrunched-up bingo cards that are unceremoniously chucked by the losing players.

With more costume changes than Sarah Jessica Parker in an episode of Sex And The City, each round sees Pandamonia in a new, more outrageous outfit (a particularly revealing one sees her stripped to the waist with just a gold bow to cover her modesty).

All along, the bar staff keep churning out the drinks orders and the adjacent kitchen whips up regular rounds of burgers and fries.

And if the unsuspecting blue rinse brigade are left mourning their usual rather more subdued game, there's at least one thing to console them — this bingo event is completely free.