The Auld Gambling Hoose opened its doors on 5th June 2024, transforming a much loved former bingo hall on Mill Street into a vibrant live music and events venue. Founder David instantly saw the building’s potential. “When I first saw it, I fell in love with it. I’ve seen other former bingo clubs become fantastic music venues, and I wanted to do this building justice.”

The venue’s distinctive name is a nod to the building’s history, having operated as a bingo club for more than 50 years. “It also looks pretty cool on touring band posters,” David laughs.

Driven by a genuine passion for live music, The Auld Gambling Hoose has spent its first year exploring a wide range of musical genres to discover what local audiences enjoy most. “Nothing beats live music,” says David. “I also wanted to give people a reason to come to Alloa and see that it’s actually a great wee town, despite some of the negative stereotypes it sometimes faces.”

The venue employs a team of eight people, most of whom are local to Alloa, and regularly works with local sound specialists LT Audio. Together, they have created a welcoming venue that prides itself on affordability, accessibility and community spirit.

“We’re a friendly, no-drama team,” David explains. “We get a real buzz from seeing people leave after a great night, talking about the bands they’ve seen.”

Keeping live entertainment affordable remains a key part of the business. The venue is known for offering excellent value tribute acts, original artists and community events, while maintaining some of the lowest bar prices around.

Community involvement is also important. Each year, The Auld Gambling Hoose hosts a heavily discounted children’s pantomime as a thank-you to local families who support the venue throughout the year. Looking ahead, David hopes the venue will become the go-to destination for affordable live entertainment in the region.

“We’d love to give Alloa the best live music venue in Scotland and create something positive for people to talk about.” And for first-time visitors? One surprise always gets a reaction: “People are amazed when they discover we have two bars and draught lager and cider!”

The Auld Gambling Hoose is located at 52 Mill Street, Alloa. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram or call 01259 661136 for upcoming events and ticket information. You can also purchase tickets online at this link.