(credit: westsidebarandgrill.com)
Pub quizzes or trivia nights come in a range of different formats, but are usually hosted by a quizmaster who doles out questions to groups of teams. Games can be played the old fashioned way with pen and paper or electronically with handheld consoles that register each team’s response on a TV screen. Questions range in categories––everything from sports and pop culture to politics and history are fair game––so if you’re one of those people with a head full of random facts and a love of camaraderie, then Orange County is the place to be. There are various trivia bars in the area, where prizes and local fame can be won by simply correctly answering a single random question. Gather a bunch of buds and enjoy the drink specials, but don’t let the alcohol inhibit your ability to respond quickly and correctly!
2751 E. Broadway
While football and UFC get love the rest of the week at Gallagher’s, Wednesday is dedicated to the love of the pub game. With more than a dozen burger choices and Guinness on tap, you should have all the brain fuel needed to answer the wide variety of questions this pub will throw at you. All of it is fun, but some of it can be challenging, so bring a ringer or memorize the encyclopedia before you give it a shot.
(949) 597-8994
bobbydsbarandgrill.com
This place has the dueling banjos of bar entertainment: constant karaoke and trivia contests. Buzztime is the trivia portion’s name and while guessing is allowed, it is not suggested. While Bobby D’s is probably the smallest venue on this list, it packs the most heart and definitely the loudest crowd, most likely due to the excellent selection of beers on tap.
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 841-5552
www.lamppost-backstreet.com
For some unknown reason, weekdays seem to be the universal nights for trivia, but the real highlight here is ordering the perfect pizza to act as brain food during the Wednesday questionnaire. This place dedicates itself to sports fandom, so while some of the questions might lean toward the sports universe, the dozen or so televisions blaring the local team’s winning (or losing) shenanigans will definitely come into play.
Related: Best Sports Bars In OC
Nothing makes a better trivia game than irreverence and a great host, something Westside excels in. “Geeks Who Drink” is the name of the bar’s weekly trivia night, a two-hour excursion into the wild world of trivia and (un)common knowledge. Don’t come here if you can’t handle a little trash talk, as the quizmaster and other players can get a little excited before the night is over.
This place is a winner for a few reasons, but having a trivia game on Tuesday nights where you can win free booze or wine is pretty amazing. “Are you smarter than a drunk?” is the theme, and if you are, prepare to walk away with some tasty prizes. The happy hour runs late into the night and offers some cheap, but strong libations, so feel free to order a round for your competitors in order to cheat your way to victory!
Jesse Seilhan is a writer, editor and photographer from the California Bay Area. After moving to Long Beach, Jesse continues his passion for writing and music by covering concerts, interviewing top artists, and giving a dose of wisdom in a crazy, mixed-up musical world. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
