From straightforward beer-fuelled mind duels to bi-weekly themed events, Manchester’s world-renowned watering holes offer pub quizzes for all brains, of all abilities, in most states of inebriation.
Whether you’re staying sharp after work or a laser-focused general knowledge maestro, here are some of the best pub quizzes around Manchester:
A few doors down, The Bay Horse Tavern hosts its own stellar pub quiz every Tuesday night, with £50 cash for the winners – a perfect stipend to shave off almost the entirety of the bill after an evening of their delicious, affordable food.
Hosted by Quizmodo‘s John Stansfield, Pencils Down at Pen and Pencil promises four rounds of questions including TV, music, general knowledge and a wildcard round, with a winner-takes-all prize and a round of beers for the best team name.
With drinks offers, free ‘half-time snacks’ and big cash prizes, the weekly Wednesday quiz at gaudy movie-themed haven Fab Cafe is perhaps Manchester’s most entertaining: cheap drinks, a late-night post-quiz party and questions ‘ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous’ set amongst endless walls of sci-fi memorabilia.
Featuring live performances, drag queen hosts and a special guest DJ each month, Clueless at Common is entirely free to enter with ‘sickening discounts, drinks and more prizes to be won’ in a riotous quizzing soirée.
On the last Wednesday of every month, Green Quarter favourites GRUB host an original six-round quiz with topics including obscure current affairs, satirical animal art, guess the (very) short intro and an array of intensely esoteric specialist subjects. Participants can win a gallon of North Brewing Co’s Springwell Pilsner or a magnum of prosecco, and food from GRUB’s midweek trader is available to enjoy throughout the quiz.
On Mondays at 8pm, The Banyan Tree invites residents of Castlefield and beyond to kick their week off with a glorious combination of curry and conundrums, with their signature homemade dish available for just £9.95 with a round of naan bread and poppadoms included.
Promising ‘more madness with every round’ including an infamous horse mask segment, Salt Dog Slim’s runs a monthly pub quiz with some of the best prizes in the city on offer, including flights abroad, dodgy DVDs and the occasional phallic toy. Tables are free to book, but they fill up quickly. Book yours for the next quiz using the link below.
Known as ‘the OG themed quiz in Manchester’, Quizzly Bears takes over the beloved Abel Heywood every Wednesday night at 8pm with a different set of topics each week, from 90s pop culture and Disney to Friends and Harry Potter. As always, there is a selection of prizes for quiz winners and the best team name, as well as free popcorn and a themed cocktail menu available throughout the quiz.
Book their next event on Wed 30 Aug here, and keep an on their Facebook for future dates.
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Fri 18 Aug 2023
Featuring live music, student discounts and £2.50 on selected drinks, South By Zero’s Big Quiz runs every Monday night at Lions Den with a £25 bar tab up for grabs.