Dirty Bingo?

Pondering how best to entertain myself this weekend, I perused local online and social media resources to see what's happening in the area:

• Any great restaurant or bar openings?
• Any great retail openings?
• Any great drink specials?
• Any great concerts?
• Any great fundraisers?

My findings: Dirty Bingo.

The bad news: this was my only unique finding in the third biggest city in the country.

The good news: it sounds kinda fun, and involves a good cause:

"If you're in the market for good clean fun, here’s a tip: Dirty Bingo is not for you. The monthly series, benefiting various local charities, has been keeping barflies in stitches since its inception last February with a less-than-demur approach to the popular board game. The $10 cover buys players 10 Bingo boards and one drink (each additional board costs $1; every $10 board comes with a drink). Includes prizes and drink specials such as $4 Miller Lite pitchers, $4 martinis and $5 bombs."

Is this the right fit for a fine dining restaurant or a boutique hotel? Not likely - but that's not the point. Dirty Bingo represents the effectiveness of experiential marketing and how a little creativity can go a long way. In looking for "relatively affordable uniqueness" in regards to local events, I commend Chicago's Victory Liquors and their cause marketing partners for their commitment to making experiential marketing work in spite of the recession, swine flu, and a myriad of competition in the Windy City.