By Katie Bowles
We get it—Mondays are no fun. Add to that a dreary weather forecast (hey, at least the temperature isn’t in the teens anymore.) and it’s enough to make you want to hibernate till Spring. Stifle that urge and indulge your competitive side at one of these Northern Virginia trivia nights. Featuring drink and food specials (and prizes for the winners), these weekly events are sure to lift your spirits and get you through another chilly winter week.
Alexandria: Clyde’s at Mark Center—Mondays, 7-9 p.m.
Clyde’s trivia has 10 rounds, with first place winning a $100 Clyde’s gift card. $12 pitchers of Yuengling and Miller Lite are available during trivia. Stay afterward for a late-night happy hour from 10 p.m. till midnight, featuring a half-price raw bar.
General Manager Paul Walker recommends that trivia attendees arrive by 6:30. “We have a lot of regulars and the trivia is run by DC Team Trivia…it’s very high-energy, with a lot of participation and music in between the rounds.”
1700 N Beauregard Street Alexandria, 22311
Arlington: Rí Rá—Tuesdays, 8-10 p.m.
Clarendon’s Irish pub Rí Rá offers a 10-round trivia night, with a $50 Rí Rá gift card going to the winner. Rí Rá’s happy hour goes till 9 p.m., and trivia participants can also partake in half-priced chicken tenders, pretzel bits and nachos.
When asked what makes their trivia night stand out, Rí Rá manager Courtney is quick to credit host Derek: “He is fantastic and really knows how to get the crowd going.”
2915 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, 22201
Falls Church: Dogfish Head Alehouse—Wednesdays, 8-10 p.m.
Dogfish Head’s trivia has three rounds. Prizes vary based on week but could be Dogfish Head gift certificates or merchandise.
Dogfish Head has happy hour until 7 p.m. and is planning to have drink specials during trivia beginning at the end of the month.
Front-of-House Manager Linnie Brown, who started Trivia Night at Dogfish Head, says that “many Dogfish Head patrons come for the happy hour food and drink specials, then stay for trivia…it’s an ‘Off-Centered Alehouse for Off-Centered People’; you get great Dogfish Head food and beer and get to meet interesting people.”
6220 Leesburg Pike, Seven Corners Shopping Center Falls Church, 22044
Fredericksburg: The Sunken Well Tavern—Wednesdays, 7:45-9 p.m.
The Sunken Well features twelve beers on tap and a full menu, which changes daily.
Trivia winners receive a $25 gift card to The Sunken Well, and trivia questions vary from week-to-week—no monotony here.
720 Littlepage St, Fredericksburg, 22401
Reston: Paolo’s—Mondays, 7 p.m.
Reston Town Center Italian staple Paolo’s will be holding its inaugural trivia night today! Paolo’s holds a happy hour till 9 p.m., so all trivia participants will be able to take advantage of its specials.
Paolo’s Trivia Night will be part of the Comcast SportsNet Trivia Challenge Network. This means that all teams participating (at all locations) have the chance to win a $5,000 prize.
11898 Market Street Reston, 20130
