9 Trivia Nights in Belfast That Proved We’re Smarter After a Pint
Being a nerd or a geek doesn’t serve you well growing up—until being one makes you win (a lot). I was usually the quietest person in any room. But when someone suddenly asks me about 18th-century cheese-making, I’m ready to be in my element.
That’s why I love going to trivia nights in Belfast. Not only do I keep impressing my friends, but I also keep making new ones who are into the same cool things.
In fact, my trivia-loving crew and I already have a list of our favourite spots we can visit on rotation. Here are our top Belfast pubs for themed quiz nights.
Which pubs offer quiz nights in Belfast?
There are a bunch of pubs that offer quiz nights in Belfast! Bring your friends and test your wits at vibrant spots, like Errigle Inn, The Bowery, The Reporter, and Robert Stewart’s.
Errigle Inn
– Media credit: errigleinn
Website: https://errigle.com/
Address: 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Ormeau, Belfast BT7 2GE
Contact Details: +44 28 9064 1410, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 1 AM
- Saturday – 10:30 AM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 10:30 AM to 12 AM
Trivia Night Hours:
- Monday – 9:30 PM onwards
Fees:
- Team of up to 6 people – £1
Errigle Inn is known for its ever-lively Monday trivia nights in Belfast. This has been going on for the last decade or so, so we reckon many patrons come back every week to join in on the fun.
We think this is wonderful if you want to win prizes, including cash and free drinks. But even if you don’t win, we still like the craft beers, whiskeys, and traditional ales.
As for the grub, we recommend the cheesy garlic bread with mozzarella and pesto salad. We say go for the ‘Pie of the Day’ or the beer-battered fish and chips too! To end on a sweet note, don’t miss out on the cheesecake of the day with vanilla ice cream.
| Pro tip: If you’re joining Errigle Inn’s quiz nights, we recommend making the most of your 6-member group by choosing participants knowledgeable about different topics. Use your different interests to your advantage! |
The Bowery
– Media credit: bowerybelfast
Website: http://www.thebowerybelfast.co.uk/
Address: 701 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 7GU
Contact Details: +44 28 9066 2600, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – Closed
- Wednesday to Thursday – 5 PM to 12 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 12 PM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 12 AM
Trivia Night Hours:
- Tuesday – 8 PM onwards
Fees:
- Free to play
The Bowery is a spirited neighbourhood bar known for its exciting pub nights and supportive atmosphere. We think this one suits many younger pubgoers since the interactive quizzes involve using smartphones to answer the questions.
On top of that, the menu is pretty diverse with dishes, such as beef burgers, cider braised pork belly, and chunky chips. You might also want to try the Sunday roasts. But of course, there are vegetarian options, like butternut squash Wellington too!
Apart from the trivia nights, we bet you’ll like that the pub showcases live music performances and DJs on weekends.
| Smart reminder: Since the trivia night at The Bowery requires a smartphone, we believe it’s best to ensure your device is fully charged. We recommend bringing a power bank too! |
The Reporter
– Media credit: thereporter.bar
Website: https://www.thereporterbelfast.com/
Address: The Maverick – 1 Union St, Belfast BT1 2JF
Contact Details: [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 2 PM to 1 AM
Trivia Night Hours:
- Tuesday – 8 PM onwards
Fees:
- Free entry
Want to surprise yourself? The Reporter offers eclectic-themed nights now and then to keep things interesting for you and your pals.
Moreover, we love the diversity in its craft beers! You can get ones from Northern Ireland breweries, such as Beer Hut, Lacada, and Bullhouse. Of course, you can enjoy authentic local spirits too, like Belfast Vodka, Ninth Wave Gin, and Hinch Whiskey.
On top of the trivia nights, we appreciate that you can enjoy other fun activities here. This includes Monday arts and crafts, Wednesday bulletin bingos, Thursday traditional music sessions, Friday and Saturday live music, and Sunday vinyl album nights.
| ‘Paw-some’ ideas: The Reporter is actually dog-friendly! If you can’t leave your canine companion at home, why not bring your pet here? For us, this spot is a relaxing and inclusive spot for all guests—human or doggo. |
Robert Stewart’s (Bob Stewart’s)
– Media credit: bobstewarts
Website: https://bobstewarts.co.uk/
Address: 149 Ballyskeagh Rd, Belfast BT17 9LL
Contact Details: +44 28 9030 8807, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – 12 PM to 10 PM
- Wednesday to Thursday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 12 PM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 1 PM to 10 PM
Trivia Night Hours:
- Wednesday – 9 PM onwards
Fees:
- £2 per head
Robert Stewart’s, fondly known as Bob Stewart’s, is among Belfast’s most historical pubs. It started hosting weekly pub quizzes over 25 years ago, but it’s still pretty popular. We find it amazing that it gets about 60 to 80 players weekly too!
We also recommend going through the traditional Irish fare, like roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and steak sandwich. Plus, we suggest the sticky toffee pudding for dessert too—something sweet for your victory or a comfort snack for your loss.
| Insider scoop: Due to the popularity of Robert Stewart’s quiz night, it’s wise to arrive well before 9 pm so you can easily secure a table for your team. |
Ryan’s
– Media credit: ryansbelfast
Website: https://www.ryansbelfast.com/
Address: 116-118 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 6AH
Contact Details: +44 28 90509850
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM, 12:30 AM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 12:30 PM to 11 PM, 12:30 AM to 1 AM
Trivia Night Hours:
- Wednesday – 10 PM onwards (varies)
Fees:
- Free entry
If you’re a student or on a budget, Ryan’s weekly trivia nights are among the most affordable–it’s usually free! And if you win, you can get weekly spot prizes or a bigger jackpot if you and your team come out on top after 3 months.
We also think you might love the hearty British cuisine—try the spicy chicken wings and belly pork! We also like the sweet banoffee pie to balance it all out.
| Savvy suggestion: Want to score a good deal at Ryan’s? If you want a nice meal, we recommend visiting on Sundays for the £14 deal with the classic wings. |
The Botanic Inn
– Media credit: botanicinn
Website: http://www.thebotanicinn.com/
Address: 23-27 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6RU
Contact Details: +44 28 9050 9740, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – 12 AM to 12 PM, 5 PM to 12 AM
- Wednesday to Thursday – 5 PM to 12 AM
- Friday to Sunday – 12 PM to 12 AM
Trivia Night Hours:
- Tuesday – 10 PM onwards (varies)
- Saturday – 7 PM onwards (varies)
Fees:
- £10 for 1
- £50 for a table of 6
Looking for very specific topics for your trivia nights? The Botanic Inn is already known for hosting many Belfast quiz nights, particularly themed ones, like the hit American TV sitcom, ‘Friends’.
We appreciate the aesthetics of this place too. It’s actually opened way back in 1867. So, some people only come here to take photos, and we can’t blame them. Just note that this bar doesn’t serve food inside, but you can bring fare in if you want.
| For the sports enthusiasts: Apart from the sports screens, you and your pals can also play billiards at The Botanic Inn to pass the time. More options if you’re feeling competitive, we say. |
The Doyen
– Media credit: doyenbelfast
Website: http://www.thedoyenbelfast.com/
Address: 829 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 7GY
Contact Details: +44 28 9050 9950, [email protected], [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – Closed
- Wednesday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Thursday – 12 PM to 12 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 12 PM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 10 PM
Trivia Night Hours:
- Tuesday – Thursday – 9 PM onwards (varies)
- Saturday – 8 PM onwards (varies)
Fees:
- Free entry
The Doyen is one of the most flexible options on our list. We think it provides a great mix of dining, entertainment, and social experiences. One of which is something younger quiz lovers might enjoy—the weekly Smartphone Quiz Night!
Basically, the participants use their phones to provide their answers. We reckon this makes the quiz night more engaging—but try not to cheat, please!
We also appreciate that there are prizes for the top 5 teams, so more pub fans can have a chance to take something home.
| Smart pointer: If you don’t have a phone, why not take your tablet to The Doyen? They’re acceptable too! Still, it’s best if your teammates could bring a secondary device too, just in case. |
The Parlour Bar
– Media credit: parlourbar
Website: http://www.parlourbar.co.uk/
Address: 2-4 Elmwood Ave, Belfast BT9 6AY
Contact Details: +44 28 9068 6970, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12 PM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 1 AM
- Sunday – Closed
Trivia Night Hours:
- Thursday – 8:30 PM onwards
Fees:
- Free entry
Those who like to have a good time might appreciate The Parlour Bar’s Big Quiz night—it’s led by a charming live DJ, showcasing several rounds. You’ll get tested on general knowledge, TV, music, and picture quizzes.
And if you don’t want to pay for drinks, we say you better be good at games so you can be rewarded with a nice beverage.
After the quiz, we like that patrons can keep having the time of their lives with beer pong sessions and live music events. You can also check out the beer garden—we assume this is wonderful for going out with friends or hosting private parties.
| Must-know move: Want to gain an edge on The Parlour Bar’s trivia nights? We say do research on the DJs beforehand—their social media profile (mostly Facebook) sometimes contains potential clues! |
The Elk Inn
– Media credit: theelkcomplex
Website: https://www.theelkcomplex.com/
Address: 793 Upper Newtownards Rd, Dundonald, Belfast BT16 0YE
Contact Details: +44 28 9048 0004, +44 28 7965 0011, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 11:30 AM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 11 PM
Trivia Night Hours:
- Wednesday – 8:30 PM onwards (varies)
- Thursday – 9:30 PM onwards (varies)
Fees:
- Free entry
Another pub offering free entry is The Elk Inn, making it one of the most convenient trivia night options on our list. There’s no limit to the team sizes too! You can invite all of your friends to join—the more, the merrier!
Food-wise, we like the chicken curry, pork, and turkey—very hearty for a healthy brain! For us, the pavlova dessert was also a standout.
| Good to know: Some of The Elk Inn’s food orders might arrive late, so we recommend ordering food as early as you can! |