Beer & Taproom Trivia Nights: Are They the Perfect Pairing?

If you're looking for a way to attract new people to your taproom, you might be considering a trivia night. With all of the competition in craft brewing, keeping your taproom lively and packed can be a challenge, especially during the first few months of the year.

The slow season could give you the perfect excuse to try your hand at becoming a trivia host. It makes sense that craft beer enthusiasts would love playing trivia - it combines two of their favourite pastimes: socializing and enjoying great beer. A well-run trivia night could encourage your guests to stick around longer, interact with others, and bond over shared interests. It could also be a fantastic way for your bar staff to engage with customers in a more personal and fun setting. But with bar trivia becoming more and more popular, its important to consider whether hosting team trivia is really the right answer for your business.

In this blog post we'll explore:

• What goes into being a trivia host?
• Are there too many bars and restaurants hosting trivia?
• How can you set your trivia night apart?

Hosting a trivia night takes more than just a microphone and some questions—it requires a great quizmaster to set the tone for the evening. A typical two-hour game demands energy, wit, and the ability to keep the crowd engaged while managing the flow of the event. You may even want to consider working with a trivia company as a partner. The key to a successful trivia night lies in careful preparation, including planning a trivia night that suits your audience's interests and promoting it effectively.

First and foremost, high-quality trivia questions are a must-have to challenge and entertain participants. Your quizmaster should also establish clear rules and scoring systems to keep the game running smoothly. You'll also need to consider when you're going to host your event. Will you host a weekly event to keep people coming back? Will you limit hosting to once a month to make people fear missing out? Consider which day of the week is typically your slower night and work from there. With the right preparation, hosting trivia can be a crowd-pleaser for your taproom.

It's true that the internet is full of advertisements for trivia games at every type of food and beverage venue. So, how do you ensure your brewery stands out among the sea of pub quiz nights? While it might feel like trivia nights are everywhere, they remain a great way for taprooms to attract new customers and build a sense of community.

The key is to cultivate a unique trivia event. Choose a night of the week that works for your target audience and offer a vibe that fits your brewery’s personality. When done right, trivia can transform your taproom into a go-to destination for locals looking for a night of fun and friendly competition. Consider how you are going to promote your trivia night. Think beyond social media and your newsletter.

Consider your customer base: what sort of trivia nights would they prefer? Is general knowledge the way to go, or would themed trivia be more effective? What sort of pop culture questions will they be interested in?

To host the best trivia night, focus on what makes your brewery special. Bring in a food truck for the evening or offer a special prize, like gift cards to your brewery or other local businesses. Themed rounds of trivia - can draw in niche audiences and create a buzz around your events.

You could also make it fun for smaller groups by offering a perk like, "Whichever team gets an answer correct first wins a small prize!" By thinking creatively and tailoring the event to your audience, you’ll create a trivia night that people can’t wait to attend—and return to again and again.

Brewery management software can help you to optimize every aspect of your business - from tracking the impact of taproom events on profit margins, to juggling your production schedule. Schedule a chat with a member of our team to learn about how Brew Ninja could help your business.