With so many trivia night options in Bellingham, choosing a venue can be harder than playing the game itself. To help you narrow your search, we’re spotlighting five (very different) local trivia nights, plus rounding up every regular event we could find.
The folks at Cascadia Daily take our trivia seriously, so we don’t want to leave anyone out. Did we miss a trivia night? Email me at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com to let me know.
Best bang for your buck: ‘Ono Kitchen & Bar
7 p.m. on Mondays
Usually no one wants to come in last at trivia, but at ‘Ono Kitchen & Bar’s “World’s Best Trivia,” losers get rewarded. Last-place teams get to pick the topic for a round in next week’s next game. What’s more, ‘Ono’s trivia doesn’t have a buy-in — so no matter how your team places, the stakes are never too high.
Outside of the suggested round, most rounds are a mixed bag in terms of subjects and style (but ‘Ono does have the occasional themed game). As far as actual prizes go, first- and second-place teams take home a gift card to the restaurant. Third-place teams receive perhaps the most absurd honor of all: The strangest item trivia host Randall Ragsdale managed to scavenge up at Grocery Outlet that week.
Most intense game (and best bar snacks): McKay’s Taphouse and Pizzeria
7 p.m. on Wednesdays
With its extensive tap list and laid-back, slightly divey atmosphere, McKay’s Trivia is a favorite among older crowds and college students alike. But its popularity also means games get competitive, with some teams showing up religiously every single week — and claiming tables an hour (or more) in advance.
Given the dedicated audience, it’s no surprise trivia questions aren’t always easy. But if you’re dedicated enough, host Behth Giles rewards players with her signature humor and a clever mix of formats and subjects (for a $2 buy-in, of course). Be warned that games can run late — but McKay’s has pizza and a variety of bar snacks, so you definitely won’t go hungry.
Best prizes: Ramble Tamble
7 p.m. on Tuesdays
Bellingham’s newest trivia is on Tuesdays at Ramble Tamble and hosted by none other than Aireekah Laudert, aka the “professional party starter” behind Glitt3r Lyfe. She uses her trivia to promote local businesses; for a $2 buy-in, teams can win “fantastic and ridiculous” prizes from spots including The Comics Place, Maniac Roasting and MW Soapworks.
Laudert awards prizes to the top three winning teams, though she also has a no-points drawing round and has been known to hand out small prizes to the whole room. She sometimes awards quirky prizes from her own business, like handcrafted glitter gels or even a yodeling groundhog.
In addition to Ramble Tamble, you can catch Laudert alternating trivias between Menace Brewing and El Capitan’s on Thursday evenings (check online for schedules).
Best overall mix of topics: Stones Throw Brewery
7 p.m. on Thursdays
Stones Throw hosts one of the most popular weekly trivia nights in Bellingham, and for good reason: The brewery has trivia down to a science. Stones Throw employee Lily Hood describes host Tim Crandall as the “ultimate trivia master,” as he does his best to cover a broad range of subjects across 40 questions and eight categories. This way, Hood said, folks are likely to know at least one answer no matter their interests.
Stones Throw has a $2 buy-in, and the winning team receives two-thirds of the evening’s total cash. The runner-up team receives one-third, while the third-place team receives a Stones Throw cup filled with pretzels (and yes, you can take the cup home).
Most unusual setup: JUXT Taphouse
7:30 p.m. on select Thursdays
Not into traditional trivia? Trivingo might be more up your alley. Usually occurring on the second and fourth Thursday of the month, this unusual hybrid alternates between trivia and bingo — so if you can’t win with your pop culture or science knowledge, you still may walk away with a prize based on sheer luck.
Buy-in is $3 and trivia points are cumulative across four rounds. Players can win prizes in every bingo game, but teams keep their cards throughout the whole evening — so winning once might make them more likely to win again.
Trivingo is only held a few times a month (though always on Thursday). Check Instagram @juxttaphouse for schedules.
All regular trivia events
Monday: Paws for a Beer (6 p.m. weekly), Overflow Taps (6:30 p.m. weekly, alternating between Barkley Village and Lynden locations), Gateway 1890 (7 p.m. weekly), ‘Ono Kitchen & Bar (7 p.m. weekly), Zeeks Pizza (7 p.m. weekly)
Tuesday: Wander Brewing (7 p.m. weekly), Goat Mountain (7 p.m. weekly), The Thirsty Badger (7 p.m. weekly), Corner Taphouse (7 p.m. weekly), Ramble Tamble (7 p.m. weekly)
Wednesday: Beach Cat Brewing (6:30 p.m. every other week), District Brewing Ferndale (6:30 p.m. weekly), Kulshan Roosevelt (7 p.m. weekly), Schweinhaus (7 p.m. weekly), McKay’s Taphouse and Pizzeria (7 p.m. weekly), Slo Pitch Sports Grill & Casino (7 p.m. weekly), Flatstick Pub (7 p.m. and 8 p.m. weekly), Larrabee Lager Co. (7 p.m. every other week)
Thursday: Stones Throw (7 p.m. weekly), The Vault (7 p.m. weekly), The Beach at Birch Bay (6 p.m. weekly), El Capitan’s (7 p.m. every other week), Menace Brewing (7 p.m. every other week), Great Northern Bottle Shop & Lounge (7 p.m. weekly), JUXT Taphouse (7:30 p.m. select Thursdays)
Sunday: Stemma Brewing Co. (5:30 p.m. weekly), Archer Ale House (8 p.m. weekly)
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
