Monday night bingo and trivia to return on Fourth of July at Ace Hotel with Bella da Ball

Monday nights in Palm Springs are about to get much more fabulous, because bingo and trivia are returning to the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs after a two-year hiatus.

Local drag queen Bella da Ball — aka Brian Wanzek — is back for double duty, calling bingo numbers and quizzing the bar at trivia.

Both events were previously popular for the hip Palm Springs hotel. Hotel guests and local residents packed the King's Highway restaurant for bingo and the Amigo Room bar for trivia up until the event was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bingo will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. and trivia will run from 9 to 11 p.m. every Monday starting July 4. Trivia is first come, first serve. Reservations are recommended for bingo at Kings Highway and can be made on opentable.com.

As Bella da Ball, Wanzek started hosting trivia night at the hotel a decade ago and then bingo for the late Linda Gerard.

Wanzek told The Desert Sun he's always loved working at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, and experiencing an eclectic mix of young, old, gay, straight, single and married people who visit the hotel.

"It's always fun," Wanzek said. "People get excited when they see the big hair, high heels and they want to take a picture. But trivia is special because it's a mix of people. There's a core group of people who come often and about four teams that are sometimes there every week."

Each week also comes with an opportunity to match an outfit with a holiday theme or current event. For one trivia night, Wanzek ditched high heels and big hair for a bell-hop uniform. He plans to come correct for the Fourth of July in red, white and blue and will also be giving a prize to the patron with the best patriotic outfit.

"Sometimes (wardrobe decisions) are seasonal, a holiday, the weather or what's happening around town, "Wanzek said. "Sometimes I just walk into my wardrobe area and think 'Well gee, I want this color' or it's spur of the moment. It's a mix."

During trivia, those playing are asked to turn off their phones and write their answers on a dry-erase board. For those who don't abide by these requests, here's a warning: Wanzek will "crack the whip."

"I have a big mouth and a strong personality," Wanzek said. "Sometimes we need to get on their case and I always say if you want to talk on your phone, go off to the pool or the lobby and come back later. I've sometimes said 'big brother is watching' if you try to put it under your coat or menu. But I don't think it's ever gotten to a point where the (game) is jeopardized."

Interacting with the late Cloris Leachman, meeting one of the bachelors from "The Bachelor," and witnessing a marriage proposal are some of Wanzek's favorite memories from bingo and trivia.

"Sometimes people are in there because they just want to have a drink or get away from something, or they're there for a convention and just want to mix in the crowd," Wanzek said. "We've also had filmmakers and people from ShortFest and the Palm Springs International Film Festival in both rooms, so it's always fun."

If you go

What: Monday Night Bingo and Trivia at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club

When: 7 to 9 p.m., bingo and 9 to 11 p.m., trivia on Mondays 

Where: King's Highway and the Amigo Room, respectively, at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club, 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

How much: Free admission, but reservations suggested for bingo at opentable.com with $30 minimum purchase required. 

More information: acehotel.com/palm-springs

Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment for the Desert Sun. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Monday night bingo and trivia to return July 4 at Ace Hotel