Local bars host weekly trivia nights

Sam Kayuha
Thu, 17 Nov 2016 04:54:34 +0000
Arts & Life, News, Pop culture, 4th street bar and grill, bodega, ethyl and tank, gateway film center, old north arcade, ravari room, the spacebar, the thirsty scholar

What is the benefit of knowing things if you don’t show it off? Whether it’s dominating one’s relatives in Trivial Pursuit on family game night or showing off in the bar during trivia night, useless knowledge is never really useless.

College students might be more interested in the latter, and there are plenty of opportunities for them to satisfy that interest near campus.

Monday

4th Street Bar & Grill

1810 N. 4th St.

This popular bar is located east of campus, and attracts students and area residents alike. Weekly trivia, starting at 10 p.m., offers patrons the chance to avoid the Monday blues. It also offers 50-cent wings on Mondays and happy hour from 3 to 9 p.m. on weekdays.

Old North Arcade

2591 N. High St.

Vintage arcade games — from Donkey Kong to NBA Jam — line the walls of Old North Arcade. Since its opening, the “barcade” has expanded from one room to three, and has added outdoor space, featuring a projector for movies and football games. It hosts Nerd Trivia starting at 7 p.m., covering movies, television and, of course, video games. Participants compete in teams, but solo arrivals can join one.

Tuesday

Gateway Film Center

1550 N. High St.

Gateway Film Center offers more than just a mix of independent and mainstream movies — it hosts trivia from 8 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays in the GFC Lounge. Players can come with a team or join one upon arrival. The next special edition of trivia comes Nov. 29, with an evening focused on the television show “Lost.”

“We have a usual crowd of about 30,” said Jason Tostevin, Gateway’s vice president of marketing and communications, in an email. “But (we) have had events as big as 250, our Harry Potter trivia night.”

Ethyl and Tank

19 E. 13th Ave.

On the weekend the South Campus bar is packed with partying students, but on Tuesday nights the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed. Trivia starts at 10 p.m., with a $10 gift card as the prize. Come with a team intact, or join one upon arrival.

Wednesday
The Spacebar

2590 N. High St.

Each week from 7 to 9 p.m., the dive bar in the Old North neighborhood hosts rock ‘n’ roll trivia, where patrons can test their knowledge of rock classics. The game is free to play, with $10 drink credits at stake.

Thursday

The Thirsty Scholar

2201 Neil Ave.

Off the beaten path for many, the Scholar considers itself “OSU Campus’ best-kept secret.” Team trivia starts at 9 p.m. on Thursdays, along with cheap beer and a casual atmosphere.

Ravari Room

2657 N. High St.

The Ravari Room could be considered the northernmost point of campus, stationed next to Hounddog’s Pizza at the corner of High and Dodridge streets. It has a reputation as a hipster bar and a rock ‘n’ roll spot, but still flies under the radar. Trivia kicks off at 8 p.m. every Thursday.

Sunday

Bodega

1044 N. High St.

This restaurant and gastropub in the Short North boasts what might be the area’s most popular trivia night. Having been around for 8 years, it is also the longest-running trivia night in town, said event producer Tim Fulton.

“It’s a great communal atmosphere,” said Fulton, who produces multiple trivia nights with teamtim trivia company in Columbus. “We try to make sure everyone feels welcome and at least gets some questions right.”

Competitors answer in teams, but solo attendees can find one to join.

Whether your knowledge covers the Beatles, Battlestar Galactica or somewhere in between, there is a spot to show it off in Columbus.