San Francisco is a grueling place to reside. Among the pricey metropolis is intense competition for the coolest jobs, rent-controlled apartments, convenient parking spaces, good-looking lovers and a tight circle of friends. The pressure might explain why the city by the bay is jam-packed with slightly aggressive people.

I’m no exception. I’ve clashed with other ladies while shopping at Crossroads, hoping to nab some cheap, stylish vintage goods. I’ll catch a glance every now and then of my neighbor in the mirror while at yoga class, to see whose posture is better. And, I always race for a seat on MUNI. But Bingo? Please!

Lets face it; bingo is not an electrifying night on the town. It usually consists of fierce blue-haired ladies, sitting under neon lights, straining to hear the magic numbers for the glory of Bingo champion. But this is San Francisco, the city that knows how to make anything fun and exciting.

A little over a year ago, after the Knockout Bar made its debut in the Mission district, bingo became a regular Thursday night event, with a chance to win big. Modeled from previous versions of bingo at Sadie's Flying Elephant, and bingo tournaments all over the world, “Bingo-topia” became a hit. After listening to countless tales about the hangout from friends, I was intrigued and decided to check it out for myself.

Inside the funky, dog-friendly dive is a pool table, photo booth, mug shots of former Alcatraz inmates cluttering the walls, shoeshine seating for watching the retro movies playing on the wall, and lots of cheap beer. Hamms beer takes the place of the traditional hipster beer, Pabst Blue Ribbon, at only $2, and the more you drink the better it tastes. The only down side is the bar is cash only.

The competition began as the pseudo-Vanna, named Ms. Claire (no last name), called out numbers from behind her popcorn-looking ball machine, while co-owner/ DJ “dX” spun 80's dance music.

“Play your balls right,” Ms. Claire screamed. “Don’t be a sore loser!”

Every time I ordered a drink I received an additional game board, increasing my chances of winning. But, I was so distracted by the many balls flying, rose-colored lights, roasting temperatures in the bar, and my beer buzz, that I had a hard time keeping up with “Vanna.”

Suddenly, I found myself wanting, yearning desperately to win- and I wasn’t alone. Looking around at the crowd of barfly’s and hipsters, in their mid to late twenties, sporting mullets, tight jeans tucked into their Pat Benetar-inspired boots, and scruffy t-shirts, I felt the tension in the air. Everyone in that room wanted to defeat the competition.

Between games there was a lengthy break that nearly made me nauseous sitting in the sweltering bar without adequate window ventilation. My only options were to escape outside to socialize with the smokers and risk death by second-hand smoke, or take a trip to the restrooms with a tiny porthole and a mirror set-up of Hollywood lights that makes everyone gorgeous.

The sound of Ms. Claire’s bell signaled a new game. Experienced regulars and first-timers rushed over like salivating dogs hungry for food. The prizes are only dollar store finds, but winners also get to cash in free drink tickets.

As the night wore on, I was praying for a victory win. “O-69, B-11,” Ms. Claire squealed, as the energy in the room grew more powerful. Then I looked across my board and realized: I won! “BINGO!!!” I yelled, and ran to receive my prize.

It was a toss up between little kids boxing gloves (not very PC) or a Jesus-Christ night-light. I opted for the night-light, and took advantage of the free beer.

The last game of the evening, the “Black Out Round,” was around 10:30 PM, ideal for early birds, while late night folks stuck around to drink in the busy watering hole until 2am.

Players fretted anxiously as sweat dripped down their face during the long final round, where every number on the board has to be crossed out. After a long spell of only Ms. Claire’s voice one lucky bar-hopper yelled bingo, winning two beers and frustrating others in the bar who were so close.

I didn’t care though. I had my bingo fix for the evening.