So you're not Lilly Chin, Decatur's own college 'Jeopardy!' champ from 2017. You can still play live trivia right in metro Atlanta. And unlike 'Jeopardy!' you won't have to pass a test and beat incredible odds to qualify to compete.
Even if you're downright awful, you'll be welcome, as long as you don't Google during the game or shout out answers. ("It's Joey from Friends! Joeeeeeeyyy!") Of course you can't win $100,000 the way Chin did, but Atlanta trivia venues offer winners lots of potential payback for playing, like chances to have your bar bill covered. There's an option for trivia players of every ilk, too, from games where the opponents are Georgia Tech physics majors to those where people struggle to remember the name of the third Harry Potter book.
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Best, of all, there are places to match wits literally any day of the week. It's always trivia night in Atlanta! "Alex, I'll take trivia is free in Atlanta for $200..."
Check out these options:
Monday: Twain's Brewpub & Billiards
211 E Trinity Place, Decatur. 404-373-0063
One of the Atlanta area's oldest brew pub establishments also puts on a convivial trivia game Mondays starting at 8 p.m. You'll play for ample amounts of something called "house cash." Added amenities include pool tables for those disinterested in getting quizzed this early in the week, a mean selection of burgers and 15 televisions in case you get there early and want to catch "Jeopardy!." Plus, 50 cents off a short pour of any of the house beers, just because it's Monday.
Tuesday: Diesel Filling Station
870 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-815-1820,
Nerds need nights out, too. This unapologetically geeky bar hosts trivia on Tuesdays. Nerd Core trivia begins at 9. Knowing Spock and Sheldon will not be enough to win prizes, but the people watching and laughter are great even if you're only a little geeky.
Wednesday: Venkman's
740 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta. 470-225-6162, venkmans.com
The motto at this trivia night is "not annoying," so take your harsh competitive streak elsewhere. This is all extra-intriguing questions, swell music, Venkman's fine menu, and a charming DJ you might recognize from Clermont Lounge. Don't worry, there are still prizes to win. Prizes are not annoying!
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Thursday: Republic Social House
437-C Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta.
Come prepared for Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll trivia on Thursdays from 8:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Smart rowdies who drink American beer in cans flock to the challenge. Spot the First Thursdays trivia theme night on the bar's Facebook page, and remember you gotta register ahead on those nights.
Friday: Bada Bings! Bourbon, Beer & Burgers
349 Decatur Street SE, Atlanta. 404-600-6484,
Lots of venues only serve their hard partiers on a Friday night, so thank goodness for Bada Bings! Starting at 8:30 on Fridays, you and your squad can vie for house cash paid out to the first three places. Bada Bings! also has sports on television galore, so this is a good pick to begin the college football weekend And if you flounder at trivia, ping pong, arcade games and darts await your pleasure. For all the fun without the mental gymnastics, they also have Music Bingo on Wednesdays.
Saturday: Bambinelli's Italian Restaurant
2500 Old Alabama Road, Roswell. 770-696-4414, bambinellispizza.com/
Homestyle Italian food and team trivia could give anyone's Saturday pizza tradition an upgrade. You'll be playing for house cash. Think of the scent of garlic and oregano as a participation trophy.
Sunday: The Highlander
931 Monroe Dr NE #101, Atlanta. 404-872-0060
Boo, hiss to the work week? Forget about that for a few more hours with live trivia at this Midtown dive-ish bar. Trivia begins at 8 p.m. Sundays, a convenient time for eking a bit more fun out of the weekend. The Highlander is a 21-and-up place and the trivia reflects that. Great food, heavy-pour pitchers and a full game room are other draws. And who could ignore the lure of those unspecified "valuable" prizes? If you don't win one, you can always come back on Wednesday and reward yourself with the bar's punk/metal/new wave karaoke night.
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Oh, and it is “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” in case you were the one struggling.
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