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After Dark


Question: Where to go for trivia nights

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Published:

Story by Melinda Tichelaar

Usually, the questions you get at a bar are more along the lines of “Would you like a beer?” and “Are you single?” not: “What form of German sweetbread is baked, then sliced and toasted?”

But those are the sorts of things you’ll hear if you attend one of the dozens of Trivia Nights held at bars and restaurants every week across southeastern Wisconsin.

Here’s how it usually works: A bar hires a trivia night host, who brings in a microphone, music and his or her own trivia questions. Patrons sign up to play (for free) right on the spot. The host asks the questions in between songs, and players fill out answer forms. Each night’s winners take home prizes like gift certificates.

Since the game is non-confrontational, and players aren’t going head-to-head as in “Jeopardy!”, a group of friends at a Trivia Night can also get in a couple hours of relaxed conversation.

Ruth and John Kontz have been coming to Trivia Night at the Boathouse (917 Seventh Ave., Kenosha) for four years.

“It’s a fun thing to do and a good night out,” said Ruth Kontz, who’s 65.

John Kontz, 57, said his trivia expertise tends toward history and politics. His wife, he said, “is a woman, so she knows it all.”

The Boathouse Trivia Night is hosted by Michelle George, owner of Live Trivia, who got into the business by accident after answering an ad for part-time work. She claims she’s shy, but you put a mic in her hand and she lights up.

George researches all her own questions in areas including politics, film, pop culture, poetry, and the arts. “What 1983 movie starred Meryl Streep as a woman trying to protect co-workers from safety hazards?” and “What martial art has been around for 2,000 years but was never an Olympic sport until the 2000 Sydney Olympics?” were two of her questions.

The players at the Boathouse’s Trivia Night ranged in age from their early 20s to mid-60s, including a group of teachers who call their team “Code Name: Choir Practice.”

Jane Harrington-Heide, 55, of Kenosha, has attended the Boathouse Trivia Night three times, all with groups of about half-a-dozen people. She said it’s a great way to get together with friends without the hassle of having people over to your house.

“I didn’t think I was very competitive, yet as the evening progressed, I really wanted our team to win,” Harrington-Heide said. “The ages on the teams varied from what appeared to be 20-somethings up to, ahem, the ages of folks on our teams, which varied from the 40s on up to the 60s. It’s really an ageless event.“

Some other local Trivia Nights are run by Team Trivia of Wisconsin. Jason Bennett, co-owner of Team Trivia, said the age mix depends on the bar.

“We have groups of 20-somethings who play regularly on up to groups of retirees. Someone in their 50s would definitely feel comfortable playing,” he said. “I find that if a particular person has an interest in trivial/random knowledge and likes ‘Jeopardy!’ or ‘Cash Cab’- type television shows, they definitely will love our game.”

While players who are new to Trivia Nights are welcome to drop in and check it out, Team Trivia also runs a league (similar to pool and darts leagues) that leads up to a championship game with prize money ranging from $3,000 to $10,000.

Bennett said, though, that you don’t need to organize a big team to enjoy Trivia Night (and even walk away with a prize).

“Team size in Team Trivia doesn’t matter; we have teams of up to 20 on down to the lone players. A lot of people have the misconception that this makes the game unfair, however, more often than not the large teams don’t do well, due to the politics of the group.”

And the next time you go to a bar, maybe you’ll exercise more than your drinking muscles — maybe your mind will get a little workout, too.

Trivia Night six times a week

Sundayl 7 p.m. McAuliffe’s Pub, 3700 Meachem Road, Racine262-554-9695

Monday

7 p.m., Shillings Irish Pub, 611 Wisconsin Ave., Racine262-632-6389

7 p.m., Lotus Sports Bar and Grill, 3216 60th St., Kenosha

262-652-4735

7 p.m., Jose’s Blue Sombrero, 6430 Washington Ave., Racine262-886-5600

Tuesday

7 p.m., The San Francisco Grill, 6300 Washington Ave., Racine262-886-6600

8 p.m., TG’s Restaurant and Pub, 4120 Seventh Ave., Racine

262-658-8080

9:30 p.m., Ashling on the Lough, 125 56th St., Kenosha, 262-653-0500

Wednesday

7 p.m. McAuliffee’s Pub

3700 Meachem Road, Racine

262-554-9695

7 p.m., Charcoal Grill, 5745 75th St., Kenosha, 262-942-9896

8 p.m., Pepi’s Pub and Grill, 618 Sixth St., Racine, 262-633-6111

Thursday

8 p.m., Shillings Irish Pub, 611

Wisconsin Ave., Racine, 262-632-6389

8 p.m., Charcoal Grill, 8300 Wash-ington Ave., Racine, 262-884-9400

8 p.m., Charcoal Grill, 580 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington, 262- 767-0000

8 p.m., Boathouse, 4917 Seventh Ave., Kenosha, 262-654-9922

Saturday

7 p.m., The San Francisco Grill, 6300 Washington Ave., Racine

262-886-6600

8 p.m., Rat Race Lounge, 8736 Sheridan Road, Kenosha

262-697-7417