Boosting Business with Trivia Nights: A Guide for Bars and Pubs

If your bar or pub is looking for a creative way to draw in guests (especially during those mid-week lulls), look no further: The Pub Quiz is here!

Hosting trivia – better known as a quiz across the pond – is nothing new for our UK neighbors. This communal fad of inebriated bar patrons shouting (or writing) frenzied answers to a range of random questions first became popular in the 1970s. Now, businesses such as The Big Fat Quiz Company are hired to spread the joy of the game across England and beyond. It’s a craze that has filtered into the U.S.

Bars across America have successfully leveraged trivia nights to build a loyal customer base and increase sales.

In New York City, official trivia league member Mason Jar offers a unique twist to blah Mondays by combining trivia with themes such as pop culture or sports. They’ve even introduced seasonal tournaments, allowing regulars to form teams. Some organizations host global trivia nights, like alumni networks from the University of Chicago that meet across the country for a shared experience of reconnection and laughter.

Not only do trivia nights provide entertainment, but they also create a fun and interactive atmosphere that encourages repeat business. These quirky quizzes can be a game changer for bars and pubs looking to elevate their midweek revenue stream.

You don’t have to hire a professional trivia firm to handle your special quiz event. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to successfully execute a trivia night at your establishment.

1. Organizing your sound system

A good trivia night requires a reliable sound system. Clear audio is crucial for keeping participants engaged and ensuring everyone can hear the questions and answers.

• Equipment: Invest in a quality microphone and speaker setup. Depending on your venue size, you might also consider additional speakers to ensure sound reaches every corner. Remember to purchase cables, cords, and batteries if necessary.
• Testing: Conduct a sound check before the event starts. Ensure that your microphone is functioning well and that sound levels allow side conversations, avoiding the risk of overwhelming noise. Also, check any audio or visual equipment.
• Sound and visual effects: Incorporate sound and pictures. Participants can identify 15-30 seconds of a song or noise to shake things up. You’ll need an mp3 player or smartphone to play audio (either play over the mic or plug in directly to the amplifier). Connect the source to a TV or computer monitor for images and video clips.

2. Sourcing interesting content

The heart of any trivia night is the questions. Creating engaging, diverse content will keep participants coming back for more.

• Categories: Offer a mix of question categories to appeal to various interests—pop culture, history, science, sports, and celebrity trivia are all great choices. This diversity will attract a wider audience and make the event inclusive.
• Content creation: You can generate your own questions or source them from trivia websites and books. If you choose to write your own, aim for a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions to keep things challenging. Prepare picture or audio-based content ahead of time – don’t search last minute on YouTube in case your Internet goes down.
• Local flavor: Include some questions about your town or local events. This makes the trivia night more relatable and enhances your establishment’s connection to the community.

3. Finding the right host

The host of your trivia night can make or break the event. A charismatic and engaging host elevates the atmosphere and keeps everyone entertained.

• Background: Look for individuals with experience in public speaking, theater, or comedy. Musicians also bring a unique skill set as they can perform songs for music-related trivia. These types of backgrounds typically equip hosts with the skills to engage an audience, manage time, and handle unexpected situations with humor.
• Social skills: An ideal host should be approachable, energetic, and personable. They should be able to read the crowd and adapt their energy accordingly. A good trivia host will ask questions and encourage interaction and banter.
• Trial run: Consider hosting a trial trivia night with a variety of potential hosts to see how they engage with the crowd. This allows you to gauge performance styles and adjust accordingly before the official launch. Post audition ads on social media and in local backstage magazines commonly used for casting calls.

Once you’ve set everything in motion, it’s time to spread the word! Utilize your social media platforms, update your website, and create eye-catching flyers to advertise your trivia night. Consider offering incentives like drink specials, gift certificates, or prizes for the winning teams. (This provides a special opportunity to partner with neighboring businesses.)

When guests know there’s an engaging event on your calendar, they’re more likely to return week after week, hopefully bringing friends along. This consistent crowd can also lead to word-of-mouth marketing, further amplifying your bar’s visibility in the community.

Launching a trivia night doesn’t have to be overwhelming, even for those on a limited budget. Many successful trivia nights start small and evolve over time based on feedback and attendance. The key is to keep the atmosphere fun and welcoming.

By investing time into planning and execution, any bar or pub can create a vibrant trivia night that boosts business, builds community, and creates lasting memories.

So gather your resources, find that charismatic host, and prepare for an exciting new addition to your schedule. Your trivia night could soon become the highlight of your community’s social scene!