Drag Bingo Brings Sparkle, Joy, and Sold-Out Crowds to Rural LaBelle
- Danika Joy Fornear
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
LaBelle, FL- Downtown LaBelle just got a little brighter. On Fort Thompson Avenue, tucked inside one of Hendry County’s most beloved gathering places, a new tradition has taken root: Drag Bingo at Bridge Street Coffee & Tea. The event, hosted every other Friday night, has sold out well in advance each time—proving that even in rural, conservative Florida, joy, community, and a little bit of glitter can fill a room to capacity.
A Beloved Local Spot with a Bold Twist
Bridge Street Coffee & Tea—affectionately known to locals as “Charlie’s”—has long been a community hub. Known for its delicious coffees, hearty sandwiches and soups, homemade baked goods, smoothies, shakes, pies, and even hand-scooped ice cream, it’s the kind of place where everyone—from families to students to retirees—feels welcome.
Stepping inside feels like home. The ambiance is like nothing else in LaBelle: big comfy couches and chairs tucked into a warmly lit space, filled with friendly, familiar faces. It’s the perfect backdrop for the newest Friday-night sensation.
Drag artist Kylie Summerz dazzles as both performer and bingo caller, gliding across the room in sparkling handmade outfits that shimmer with every laugh, clap, and cheer. With charisma and quick wit, Kylie transforms a classic game into a night of connection, celebration, and pure fun.
Joy in a Rural Town
In a community often described as “traditional,” the roaring success of Drag Bingo tells a different story—one of openness, hunger for new experiences, and a desire to come together across divides.
Longtime LaBelle resident Christina DeVault, who attended the very first night, said she wasn’t surprised by the success:
“I’m not surprised it’s been sold out. LaBelle has craved events like this for a long time—something fresh, something joyful, something that brings us together. People here want community and fun, and Drag Bingo delivers both.”
More Than Bingo
For LaBelle, Drag Bingo is more than an evening of laughter and prizes. It’s a signal of shifting tides in a rural Florida town too often stereotyped as closed-off. Instead, residents are embracing a night that celebrates artistry, inclusivity, and good old-fashioned fun.
And in a world that can often feel dark and cruel, Charlie’s shines as a bright spot—thanks in no small part to its kind and thoughtful owner, Charlie Harris.
If You Go
If you’d like to attend Drag Bingo, reservations are required, so be sure to call ahead well in advance. And even if you can’t make it to bingo, supporting this gem of a place is as easy as stopping in for lunch—or swinging by their drive-through window for a quick coffee or treat on the go.
📍 Bridge Street Coffee & Tea (“Charlie’s”)
23 Fort Thompson Ave, LaBelle, FL 33935
📞 (863) 674-0104
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