As the evenings draw in and the beer gardens empty out, Brighton's pubs find other ways to bring people together. One of the most popular is the humble pub quiz. Part competition, part night out with friends, it is a great way to spend a midweek evening. If you have never taken part, here is what to expect.
How a typical pub quiz works
Most quizzes follow a similar pattern. Teams sit together at a table, and a quizmaster reads out the questions over a few rounds. You write your answers on a sheet, which is handed in or swapped with another team for marking at the end of each round. Scores are read out as the night goes on, which adds to the tension.
Rounds often include general knowledge, music, film and TV, sport and a picture round. Some quizzes add a themed or tie-breaker question at the end. Many pubs charge a small entry fee per person, and prizes vary from pub to pub, so check the details on the night.
Building a good team
The best teams have a mix of interests. One person who knows their music, another who follows sport and someone who never misses a news bulletin can cover a lot of ground between them. Many quizzes set a maximum team size, so ask at the bar before you sit down.
Don't forget the team name. It is a long-standing quiz tradition to come up with something clever or silly, and quizmasters love reading out a good one.
Quiz etiquette
Pub quizzes are friendly, but there are a few unwritten rules:
- Phones away. Looking up answers is the quickest way to make enemies. Keep your phone in your pocket.
- Whisper your answers. Shouting out the answer helps every other team in the room.
- Listen to the quizmaster. Their decision on an answer is final, even if you are sure you were right.
- Mark honestly. If you are swapping sheets, be fair to the other team.
- Support the pub. The quiz is a way for the pub to welcome people in on a quiet night, so buy your drinks and snacks at the bar.
Finding a quiz in Brighton
Quiz nights are usually held on weeknights, when pubs are looking to bring in a crowd. The easiest way to find one is to keep an eye on chalkboards and posters in your local, check the pub's social media pages or simply ask the bar staff. Popular quizzes can fill up fast, so it is worth booking a table if the pub takes reservations.
Cosy traditional pubs are the natural home of the quiz, but you will find them in all sorts of venues across the city. And you don't need to drink alcohol to join in. As we explained in our piece on alcohol-free pubs, a good pub is about the company as much as the drinks.
Give it a go
You don't need to be a genius to enjoy a pub quiz. Half the fun is the debate over answers you are not quite sure of. Gather a few friends, pick a team name and see how you get on. Win or lose, it is a good night out.