Who can say why it’s fun to sit with a group of friends, in a room of strangers, competing to see who can correctly answer questions like, “What sitcom character defeated the Bubble Boy with the Trivial Pursuit answer, ‘the Moops’?” It just is. Especially in Charlottesville, where almost every night of the week a local venue invites you to match wits while wetting your whistle.
Monday
Decipher Brewing 6:30pm
National trivia game purveyor Geeks Who Drink provides the questions, but a local host runs the game. Tough questions in an easygoing, dog-friendly atmosphere, with gift cards for top teams, and $3 off tabs for correctly answering bonus questions.
Brightside Beach Pub 6:30pm
Fins to the left, fins to the right, and $1 wings all day! A Jimmy Buffett vibe means no one cares if you come late or can’t spell (especially after downing the pitcher special). Original material, local hosts, and generous gift cards for winners.
Tuesday
Firefly 8pm
Playful and community-minded, Firefly offers local comfort food and a later-than-most start time for their Geeks Who Drink trivia. This crowd is young(ish), queer-friendly, and whip smart. Reservations encouraged.
Fry’s Spring Station 7pm
Tricky, wacky questions from an eclectic, droll host. Play from the patio or inside, while munching family-friendly pizzas, or indulging in a Bucket-o-Beer special.
Wednesday
Birdwood Grill at Boars Head Resort 6pm
A distinctly local event, from the Carter Mountain views to the casual Southern fare, with complimentary putting on the Ridges Putting Course. Homegrown questions and hosts
each week.
King Family Vineyard 6pm
Teams of up to 10 people play four rounds of original trivia, for tasting room and food truck prizes. Expect light-hearted themes, like Name That Tune, and the occasional wine category (snag a sommelier for your team).
Pro Re Nata 6pm
Crozet locals and guests enjoy custom-curated questions from veteran trivia host Ron. Laid-back fun in a setting that feels like your favorite uncle’s dream of a sports bar brewery.
Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
First and Third Wednesdays 7pm
Bawdy trivia and banging burgers. “I usually stand on the bar or a stool and ask the questions over a megaphone,” says bartender/host Alyssa. “There is always a lot of fun heckling, some cursing, and I sometimes throw in math equations where 69 is involved—semi-crass humor, if you will.” Get there by 6 for a table!
Starr Hill Downtown 7pm
Nerd heaven. Dairy Market eats, and funny-tough questions from legendary hosts Nate and Olivia. Bring friends, and strive to crush the spirit out of the brilliant young wiseacres who usually win.
Thursday
Potter’s Craft Cider 6pm
Trivia and Thai one Thursday per month
Pair Chimm Thai food with the trivia talents of Mountain View Elementary’s John Daniels. Add a crowd of wild public school teachers. Set the whole thing in a magical forest cidery, and you’ve got a storybook trivia adventure, right down to a grand prize of ringing the historic Chapel Bell in the Tasting Room.
Alamo Drafthouse 7pm
Come for the happy hour-priced drinks and appetizers, stay for the antics of beloved host, Fernando. Questions via Triviatainment’s Think-and-Drink, except on occasional theme nights, when you’ll need to brush up on your Harry Potter, “Friends,” Star Wars, or “Gilmore Girls” knowledge.
Sunday
Random Row 5pm (above)
Cold beer, Neapolitan-style pizza, and a welcoming crowd make this trivia night a feel-good win, even if you place last. Geeks Who Drink questions range from mind-bending to easy-peasy, but the game almost feels secondary to the buoyant community vibe.