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By Annie Jonas
Think you’ve got what it takes to ace trivia night? Greater Boston has no shortage of places to test your knowledge. From cozy neighborhood pubs to lively taprooms and cocktail bars, there’s a quiz happening every night of the week.
When we asked readers to share their go-to spots earlier this year, more than 200 trivia fans weighed in. Many agreed that what makes or breaks a night isn’t just the questions – it’s the host, the atmosphere, the food, and of course, the company of good friends. The best trivia keeps the energy high, the pace quick, and the competition fierce.
Our updated guide and interactive map highlight where locals love to play, whether you’re assembling your dream team or flying solo in search of some brainy fun.
Check out the full list and map of reader-recommended trivia nights and find your next challenge below.
Jump to: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
When: Mondays at 7 p.m.
“It’s always packed here, trivia starts at 7, but you have to get a table at 6. The host encourages people to mix and mingle so it’s a great place to actually meet people, especially if you’re an introvert. Plus, killer beer and playlist. The playlist has clues to the answers!” Celina C. from Somerville shared.
When: Mondays at 7 p.m.
“The Haven has great food, drinks, and atmosphere,” said one reader from Jamaica Plain.
When: Mondays at 7 p.m.
“The host is great! A good following, the questions are challenging and interesting! Always a great time had by all,” said Maureen K. from Salem.
When: Mondays 8 p.m.
“Solid trivia at a fantastic bar,” said Adam from East Boston. “What else is there to say?”
When: Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
This local spot hosts “I’m Right Drag Trivia Monday Nights” with Missy Steak with drag performances at the breaks. Every week has a new theme that is “usually LGBTQ adjacent or nerdy niche,” according to reader Mandy from Cambridge.
When: Mondays at 7 p.m.
“Pub quiz is more complex than regular trivia and so fun! The guy who runs it asks the best questions,” said Liz from Roslindale.
When: Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
“Host is awesome, funny, keeps it going quickly. Not just questions, he does a name that tune round, a picture round, a ‘Family Feud’ style round. Food and staff are on point, great beer selection. It’s a blast there,” said Dan K. from Ashland.
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.
“I’ve been going to Biltmore for a while and have been playing trivia for 6 months now and I have been absolutely loving it. I’ve brought my family and friends to play with me but I do play alone to decompress after work. Trivia has given me a new outlook on my information intake and I’ve become more aware of my surroundings on the off chance that something I observe or learn will be a trivia question,” said Sasha S. from Needham.
When: Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
This game show-esque trivia is a favorite spot because of the “unique trivia that is active and fun.”
When: Tuesdays at 7:30p.m.
“Games with James is the best trivia product in the Greater Boston area. James always has several rounds of well crafted questions, including a killer music round and a thoughtful picture round. This venue may be a sports bar, but sports questions don’t dominate. No one team dominates here, the winner is usually different every week. Then again, every team wins because a good time is had by all,” said Mike L. from Brookline.
When: Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
“I really like the format, it feels strategic. Plus Gabby the host is fantastic!” said Keith V. from Jamaica Plain.
When: Tuesdays at 7p.m.
“The vibes are great, the content is unique, and no one really knows about it so we can always grab a seat. So just know that it’s good, but also don’t tell anyone about it so I don’t lose my seat,” said Sarah from Brighton.
When: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Cambridge); Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Waltham)
“The atmosphere here is awesome. Erin does an amazing job hosting and making it so much fun. The food here is unbelievable as well as the drinks,” said Olivia from Waltham. “I highly recommend playing here!”
When: Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
“The host, Rich, is awesome. Such a great guy. Makes trivia fun and interesting, plays great music. Service and food is reliably good and they always mix up the menu from time to time. Service is always fast. Love going here for trivia!” said Laura G. from Norwood.
When: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.
“The atmosphere and service is great. The host is hilarious, and they’re one of the few spots around that still does paper answers,” Jess V. in Holbrook wrote.
When: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.
McCarthy’s hosts two, one-hourlong trivia games on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
When: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Fenway); Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (Waltham)
“Hands down the best brew in Boston. The Cloud Candy is best paired with trivia. It’s a friendly vibe that’s perfect for get-togethers with friends and some trivia,” said Michelle from Newton.
When: Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
“It’s the best of both worlds. They combine Taco Tuesday and Trivia. Place is great, especially when the weather is nice and trivia is on the outdoor roof deck,” Scott S. Brighton said.
When: Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
“We have been playing Trivia here for years now. We are part of a team that has become close. One of our members died this last summer, and we decided to take his last name as our team name going forward. It is a beautiful tradition that keeps us grounded through life’s chaos,” said Ester from Manchester.
When: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Norwood, Walpole); Tuesdays at 7 p.m. (Millis)
“Local pub trivia with good tunes and a nice host,” said Jack from Norwood.
When: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.
“They have been doing it for over 20 years so have been going off and on for nearly 20 years as a central place to meet up in the Merrimack Valley,” Tim A. from Chelmsford said. “The bartenders are so welcoming and they always draw a good crowd. Plus a perfect pour of Guinness so always starting the night off right!”
When: Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
“The Shamrock Pub is the only place I go for trivia. They have the best steak tips in town and the coldest beer this far south from the North Pole,” said Chris C.
When: Tuesdays 8 p.m.
This sister restaurant to The Quiet Few is a reader favorite trivia in Southie.
When: Tuesday at 8 p.m.
“The questions are clever and the host is amazing!” Ray B. from South Boston shared.
When: Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m.
“Good, laid back vibe. Michael is a great trivia host, and the beer and snacks are great and reasonable. Categories are varied and interesting,” Ron G. from Danvers wrote.
When: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
“Great ambiance, good food and beer options, lots of returning teams and a super fun host!” said Katie S. from West Roxbury.
When: Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
“Excellent food and service in a fun atmosphere- the best trivia every Wednesday night,” said Mark G.
When: Wednesday at 8 p.m.
“The best trivia spot I’ve ever been to. The atmosphere, food, and trivia night culture is perfect. My girlfriend has been to so many trivia nights here she’s eaten everything on the menu,” said Garret W. from Cambridge.
When: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
“The questions aren’t complicated (most of the time). The explanation of the rules is very easy to grasp. On top of that, the host pulls a rabbit out of a hat every game by making the game fun and thrilling. He doesn’t waste time trying to tell stories but simply entertains the room by asking and answering trivia. Bartender usually adds bits and jokes after a question which is just the cherry on top!” Amanda from Jamaica Plain shared.
When: Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
“They always have a good mix of “regulars” and are very welcoming to trivia ‘rookies’ too,” according to Brian from Weymouth.
When: Wednesday at 8 p.m.
“Great atmosphere and fun host,”Nathan V. from Brookline said.
When: Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
“It is a family-friendly fun atmosphere,” a reader shared. “Trivia is wonderful as are the libations!”
When: Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
The Dorchester Brewing Company hosts Hump Day Wednesday Trivia.
When: Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
“Great people, great food, and the right balance of accessible yet challenging. Also fun music choices!” said Alex T. from Salem.
When: Wednesdays 7:30 p.m.
“We love the bar, we love the food, we love the bartender, we love the trivia host. Everything is super efficient and the music is great!” said Emily B. from Brookline.
When: Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
“Great vibes, drinks, and food!” MaryAnne R. from Wilmington shared.
When: Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
“It’s local to where I am and all my neighbors have a tradition where we come here every Wednesday. The staff here is so nice and Gabi the host is always so funny and does an amazing job,” said Connor R. from Jamaica Plain.
When: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Cambridge); Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Waltham)
“Erin is the best trivia host! She runs it fabulously and with humor and plays great music. We see so many teams return each week which makes for a fun and competitive environment (trivia aside, it’s easy to become a regular at JSM because the food and staff are amazing). We also like that it’s on Wednesday – a nice way to break up the work week,” Lauren K. said.
When: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Fenway); Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (Waltham)
“Hands down the best brew in Boston. The Cloud Candy is best paired with trivia. It’s a friendly vibe that’s perfect for get-togethers with friends and some trivia,” said Michelle from Newton.
When: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Norwood, Walpole); Tuesdays at 7 p.m. (Millis)
“Local pub trivia with good tunes and a nice host,” said Jack from Norwood.
When: Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
“It’s awesome because the host is great, the atmosphere can’t be beat, the beer is amazing, and it’s from six to eight so you can have a blast and be home before bedtime!” Diana from East Cambridge shared.
When: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
“We love the host and we love the length of the trivia! It is very in depth! We also love the bar and atmosphere,” said Corrin from the North End.
When: Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Scholars hosts two trivia events on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
When: Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
“Great host, yummy food, good combination of easier and harder questions. Always a good time!” Edzo in Framingham wrote.
When: Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
“It’s not really difficult. There are a few audio categories and musical bingo before trivia starts. The host is really fun and a lot of the same folks each week creates a good rivalry,” Karen M. from Lowell. “It’s rated R and sometimes on the verge of more than that.”
When: Thursdays at 7 p.m.
“Echo Bridge is just a happy place to be and the food is excellent. Trivia host Mike ‘Sarge’ Riley is an affable host who strikes the right tone and keeps things moving with solid trivia questions. Mike does trivia on Thursdays. I also frequent his always-fun Music Bingo on Tuesdays,” said Ken L. from Canton.
When: Thursdays at 7:30pm
According to Matt V. from Malder, the Family Feud-style trivia at Pearl Street Station is unbeatable, “[There is] No right answer, just your answer against hundreds that have taken the surveys around the country.”
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.
“I’ve been going to Biltmore for a while and have been playing trivia for 6 months now and I have been absolutely loving it. I’ve brought my family and friends to play with me but I do play alone to decompress after work. Trivia has given me a new outlook on my information intake and I’ve become more aware of my surroundings on the off chance that something I observe or learn will be a trivia question,” said Sasha S. from Needham.
When: Thursdays at 7 p.m.
“I love going to the Pickled Onion every Thursday for trivia! The trivia guy Tim has the BEST voice for trivia! And everyone is always so into it and makes it so competitive and fun,” said Hannah from Beverly.
When: Thursdays at 7 p.m.
“The host, Gabby, is great!” Sam in Medford wrote.
When: Thursdays at 7 p.m.
“An entertaining evening of trivia that starts at 7 p.m. and is done by 8:30. You can go out for a drink and trivia and not have to make a whole night of it if you choose not to,” said Rob H. from Hull.
When: Thursdays at 8 p.m.
“The host is INSANE in the best way possible, and the family owners and staff are so patient and adaptable to the chaos… Best place for a LAUGH on a Thursday night, thank you Ken, Bob, and Casper family!” Mary F. in Southie wrote.
When: Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
Winter Hill Brewing Co. hosts a Thursday night trivia.
When: Fridays at 8 p.m.
“The food is good and the trivia host is knowledgeable and very fun! The layout of the game is great too,” said Dorothy P. from Easton.
When: Saturdays at 7 p.m.
You can go to this trivia night with a team or join an open table when you arrive. Pair your night of fun with a pick from their wide beer selection or a fun cocktail.
When: Sundays at 8 p.m.
“Brennan runs a tight 1 1/2 hour three part trivia night each week on Sundays. It is challenging, fun, and always on time. An Sibin is a cool little Irish bar focused on great drinks, including a huge selection of whiskeys. The atmosphere is inviting and comfortable, and, if you are lucky, the owner’s bulldog, Dotty, will be there hanging out,” said John T. from Arlington.
When: Sundays at 7 p.m.
“Great atmosphere, excellent trivia host. Wide range of categories so there’s always competition. I play every week!” Molly B. in Ayer wrote.
Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.
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