Gridskipper
In Washington, nothing says you've made it like proving you can out-drink and outsmart your friends. The city is overrun with wonks, all of whom seem to be drawn to DC's favorite beer-swilling, answer-hurling ritual: the pub quiz. As bars across the city cash in on your inner (or outer) nerd, be sure to check out the list below for some prime pub quiz spots. Suggestions welcome via the comments or the tip line. (photo)
Wonderland Ballroom
1101 Kenyon Street NW Washington, DC 20010
This Columbia Heights bar draws an eclectic (for DC) crowd with one of the best pub quizzes in Washington. Every Monday night, teams of five square off from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. If you're really a trivia nerd, sign… up to host the pub quiz and you'll be in charge of all the questions. (photo) [link]
N 38° 55.46916 W 77° 1.39728
National Press Club
14th and F St., NW Washington, DC
At the National Press Club, you can engage in a contest of wits with one of DC's wonkiest crowds: journalists. The NPC hosts a pub quiz about once a month on a Thursday night. A caveat: you'll have to go with a… member to participate. (photo) [link]
N 38° 53.50282 W 77° 1.55191
The Pour House
319 Pennsylvania Avenue SE Washington, DC 20003
Know-it-all Hill staffers face off against one another at the Pour House's Tuesday night pub quiz. Looking to test your wits against the whippersnappers running the country? Emcees start firing questions at 7 p.m.… Pour House recently canceled its Tuesday night pub quiz, but we're leaving it on the map in hopes it gets reinstated. (photo) [link]
N 38° 53.12475 W 77° 0.6481
James Hoban's
1 Dupont Circle NW, Washington DC 20036
One of D.C.'s newest bars, James Hoban offers a Wednesday night pub quiz for the Dupont Circle crowd. The quiz is less challenging than some of the others throughout the city, but, heck, that will only make you… feel smarter. The trivia kicks off at 7 p.m., and the spacious bar offers plenty of seating. Little-known fact #1: James Hoban was the Irish architect who designed the White House. (photo) [link]
N 38° 54.32758 W 77° 2.38395
Ireland's Four Fields
3412 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20008
Ireland's Four Fields hosts a rousing pub quiz every Wednesday at 9 p.m. Teams have 90 minutes to answer a list of questions compiled by the bar's owner Frank Hughes. Hughes reveals the answers at 11 p.m., and the… three winning teams receive prizes such as free drinks and movie tickets. [link]
N 38° 56.3478 W 77° 3.28081
Looking Glass Lounge
3634 Georgia Ave NW Washington, DC 20010
Some Petworth residents moaned when Wonderland's owners took over the bar formerly known as Temperance Hall. But the Looking Glass Lounge offers a great Thursday night pub quiz, starting at 8 p.m. (photo)… [link]
N 38° 56.6361 W 77° 1.26764
The Argonaut Tavern
1433 H st. NE Washington, DC 20002
The Argonaut Tavern, named after the sailors of Greek myth, recently launched its weekly trivia night, "Booze Clues." If you're looking for a friendly local dive where you can share beer with friends and exercise… any brain cells that haven't been killed by the brews, this is the place. Quizzes take place on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Be careful late at night: the area still has a problem with muggings and other crimes. (photo) [link]
N 38° 54.719 W 76° 59.6359
Comments
Was there some story here? All we got connected to was some weird Flickr list. Where's the story?!!!
JR's weekly pub quiz by far... you have never seen so many queens quiet for an hour and a half!
Boooring. We've had this in Philadelphia forever. We invented the US version of Pub Quiz, it's called Quizzo [en.wikipedia.org] and respect is due!
Don't go claiming our turf, swamp-town!
There is more to this post; the pub quiz spots should be up soon!
Monday nights at Rock Bottom in Ballston. I think this is the most fun trivia in the area, but I agree with Machiavelliswan that JRs is pretty rad.
JR's Bar and Grill of course! Currently Tuesdays after American Idol!
No list is complete without Stetson's Tuesday night pub quiz, where your winnings can be used to subsidize your beer and food fund.
Hey! Quizzo at The Pour House ended in February! It ran from 2001 to February, but unfortunately bowed out due to the fact that the Quizzo Master and the Score Babe were getting married and wanted to concentrate on their day jobs (BOOOOO!)
And, yes ithacabaron, our Quizzo Master emigrated to our fair city from Philadelphia and brought Quizzo with him.
Er...Quizzo at the Pour House was retired a couple of months ago. A better choice is Smart Ass at Nellie's (and previously at Titan), which the fools at JR's ripped off rather half-assedly.
Sorry for the problems, kids. All the venues should be mapped now, so hit refresh if they aren't.
Ventor's Sports Bar, on 18th in Adams Morgan, does a pub quiz tuesday nights at 9. Its a pretty good time, except for the guy who asks the questions who 1) can't pronounce ANYTHING properly and 2) is kind of a douche. Aside from him, though, its awesome!
Comment on When Wonks Attack: DC Pub Quizzes (UNCLASSIFIED) Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE Okay, they left off the best place to play trivia in the city. JR's. Anyone who claims to be a trivia guru would surely know that bit of information. Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE
Oops, sorry, I thought Quizzo was still happening. Thanks!
@CherriSpryte: Isn't that kind of all there is to it? If you can't understand the questions and you wish there was one less douche talking to you, then you are just... AT A BAR.
Fado near The Phone Booth has Quiz Night on Mondays.
@rmontcal: Fado is OK, but you have to get there a few hours beforehand to get a seat and the quizmaster can be a bit surly.
I second Rock Bottom in Ballston on Mondays. The music rounds are awesome!
@rmontcal and Zach: I actually didn't include Fado just because it's so crowded.
@BigLar: Ah, thank you!
I appreciate the recognition. Sorry I was so douche-y (douche-like?) about this at first. Philadelphia things that get co-opted by other cities are a sensitive subject around here. After all, it is Philadelphia -- we are an admittedly provincial town.
Anyway, thanks for the info! Good to know! I'll be sure to check one of these bars out next time I'm in the District.
@ thenewdemographers
I don't see how it was "ripped-off" just because they are both trivia at gay bars. You could say the same of all straight trivia that happens on the same night then.
In any event, they are both fun, but TOTALLY different. Better prizes at jr's and a very different format. Smart Ass is great if you don't want to fully commit to a game and just play one or two, JR's is good for more strategic play.
Get over it and enjoy your trivia... Keep the barbs to trivial questions, not distinctions :)
Comment on this post
Reply by EmailLogin with your username and password below. Or comment on this post via email.
Forgot your username or password? New User?