You know that saying, ‘knowledge is power’? Well when it comes to trivia, turns out it’s kind of true. If you’ve got a head swimming with (seemingly) useless facts, trust us—Brisbane's best trivia nights are your time to shine. We’ve rounded up the best quiz maestros on either side of the big Brown Snake to make sure your weeknights are just as hyped as your weekends (okay, maybe not just as hyped, but close to it). We’ve even snuck in a few cheeky facts to give your team the edge it needs. So round up the gang and start studying—we’re getting quizzical.
Shady Palms
Stones Corner
Trivia is nothing without the incentives. Shady Palms knows what’s up; place in the top two in their weekly trivia nights and score your team a drinks voucher. Otherwise, you can drown your defeat in boutique local brews and cheesy mozzarella sticks. That’s a win-win in our book.
When: 6.30pm, Wednesdays Tip: The chemical reaction that turns toast brown is called a Maillard reaction.Archive Beer Boutique
West End
If you were expecting a quiet, low stakes evening move right along—Archive’s trivia nights are made for hardcore ballers. Sure, there’s plenty of feasting, drinking and merry-making—but you’ll need your wits about you if you’ve got your eyes on the prize. We recommend flicking through an Encyclopedia Britanor two for your best chance at snagging a win.
When: 7pm, Tuesdays Tip: Lady Randolph Churchill, Winston Churchill's mother, had a tattoo of a snake on her wrist #classicslytherin.Felons Barrel Hall
HOWARD SMITH WHARVES
Grab a crew and prepare to get puzzled wih a stein in hand at Felons Barrel Hall's new weekly trivia nights, hosted by none other than Harry's Trivia. Every Wednesday night, for the bargain price of $4, you can put yourself in the running to win up to $600 in prizes—if your team knows the most useless knowledge in the room, of course.
When: 7pm, Wednesdays Tip: Tic Tac mints are named after the sound their container makes.Defiant Duck
Newstead
Duck yourself up with a whole ‘lotta knowledge at the Defiant Duck’s trivia Wednesdays. Hosted by the fabulous Sellma Soul, this is guaranteed to be one night filled with side-splitting laughs, fast facts, and plenty of fun. With a $200 voucher up for grabs every week, a little pre-trivia cramming is sure to pay off (eventually).
When: 7pm, Wednesdays Tip: The capital of Nevada is Carson City—who knew?Fritzenberger
Petrie Terrace
For burgers, brews, and plenty of banter, head on down to Fritzenberger on a Thursday night. With bar tabs, wine, and cash jackpots up for grabs, you’ll be speed-reading bottle caps to memorise those nifty facts. Check out the Fritzenberger website to keep up-to-date with special theme nights—they’re the perfect excuse for another binge of Brooklyn 99.
When: 6.30pm, Thursdays Tip: Amy Santiago has seven brothers.Welcome To Bowen Hills
Bowen Hills
If trivia isn’t enough to get your foot in the door, how about WTBH’s $10 Thursdays? Nab yourself a $10 jug of sangria, paired with a $10 schnitty and chips, and you’ll be flying so high you’re sure to ace a question or two. As for the rest of the quiz, maybe just order another jug of sangria and call it a night.
When: 7pm, Thursdays Tip: Baby porcupines are called “porcupettes.” Too. Cute!The Boundary Hotel
West End
Stake your claim as Brisbane’s ultimate pub trivia expert at West End’s most iconic watering hole. The Boundary Hotel hosts weekly trivia nights in their newly renovated digs, so swing by to take a gander at their ultra-glam makeover and win a drink or two while you’re there. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday night.
When: 7pm, Thursdays Tip: The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five ocean basins.Buffalo Bar
Brisbane CBD
Strap yourself in for a fact-flying trip around the world at Buffalo Bar’s trivia Mondays. Channeling the charm of the southern states, expect a fair few sports qs as you chow down on bottomless wings and jalapeno fries. Yes, we said bottomless wings. You have to be in it to win it, so swing by at 6.00pm to register for a 6.30pm start.
When: 6.30pm Mondays Tip: Air Jordans were first released in 1984.Newstead Brewing Co.
Milton
Break up the work week with Wednesday night trivia courtesy of Newstead Brewing Co. Pegged as the world’s least crap pub trivia, you know you’re in for a good night. With free entry, seasonal beers, and prizes galore, the Quiz Meisters at Newstead Brewing Co. will have you frothing at the door.
When: 7pm, Wednesdays Tip: May 29 is Put A Pillow IO Your Fridge Day. Don’t ask.The Sound Garden
Fortitude Valley
Along with their usual offerings of crisp craft beer and shareable snacks, The Sound Garden hosts a cracking trivia tournament to hype up your Thursday night. Boggle your mind with one-of-a-kind questions alongside good food and great vibes. We recommend the mushroom arancini balls to keep your brain on its game.
When: 7pm, Thursdays Tip: A chef's hat has exactly 100 pleats. Seriously—count them yourself.Netherworld
Fortitude Valley
Netherworld’s fiercely popular pop-culture competition is back in business after a temporary COVID-related hiatus. Register beforehand to secure yourself a spot, but still be sure to rock up early—tables are first in, best dressed. Prizes are dished out to the top three teams, and if you score yourself first place, you’ll be awarded with a winners-only enamel pin as a way to show off your skills.
When: 6.30pm, Wednesdays Tip: One in ten European babies is conceived in an IKEA bed. Australian statistic pending…Saccharomyces Beer Cafe
South Brisbane
Swing by Fish Lane for one of our top picks on the best way to end your Wednesday. Saccharomyces Beer Cafe is serving up schooners full of crafty quiz questions alongside your favourite childhood games. Prizes include up to $200 cash, Newstead Brewing Co. brewery tours , jugs of beer, growler fills and mystery shark bag propaganda. Count us in!
When: 7.30pm, Wednesdays Tip: Saccharomyces is a genus of fungi known as the brewer’s yeast.Not a lot of useless knowledge in your head? Check out these bars where you can do more than just drink instead.
Image credit: Hayley Williamson