Pub Quiz Nights Test D.C.’s Bar Brains

Fado’s Irish Pub
808 7th St NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 789-0066
District: Chinatown
Mondays, 8-10 pm

The teams gather at tables, and the bar is abuzz. Members settle on quirky names that reflect current events. The stakes are high, and the competition is keen- given the per capita percentage of “Jeopardy” contestants who call D.C. home. It’s Pub Quiz Night at Fado’s Irish in bustling, trendy Chinatown. Welcome to a tavern where the questions are tough but the patrons are amiable, and bring your “A” game to the table. Teams vary in number of members, but the constant is fun and festivity, for $50 prizes. Walk away a winner, and hang the divulging tee shirt in your office queue (or is it “cue”, for cubicle- you’re the trivia practiced).

The Pour House
319 . SE, Washington, DC 20003
202-546-1001
District: Capitol Hill
Tuesdays, 7-9 pm

At The Pour House, the proceedings are called “Quizzo”. The atmosphere couldn’t be more different than that at festive Fado’s. Are Hill staffers more serene than downtown feds? Dunno, but one could walk into the bar at 7 p.m., when the games start, and not believe a contest was afoot. Unlike Fado’s, the tables are not buzzing with anticipation and bravado, and a tourist wouldn’t even guess the patrons knew each other. But, the host emcee is more amusing than his Chinatown counterpart, and he has a humorous sidekick, The Quiz Babe. Rounds are snappy, questions focus more on pop culture, and there is not the celebratory yelling that accompanies a right answer from a team table at Fado’s. Both bars feature a photo round, where contestants attempt to match names to images. First place Quizzo prize is a $20 bar tab. Runners-up split $10.

About the author
Bijan C. Bayne is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer.

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