Best Trivia Spots in Atlanta
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published September 9, 2021 and last updated December 1, 2023.
Team trivia has something for everybody.
Whether you’re the whiz of the group or the dunce, a trivia outing is about so much more than the questions themselves. While it’s definitely more fun when you win, there are several other factors that go into making trivia night a can’t-miss event.
We hand-picked a few of our very favorite trivia spots both ITP and OTP based on their food and drinks (duh), the space itself, and, of course, the trivia.
North River Tavern
The Mecca of OTP trivia. Located where East Cobb, Dunwoody, Roswell, and Sandy Springs intersect, this family-friendly sports bar is accessible for everybody. Not only does NRT have the convenience of geography, but it also offers trivia three nights a week.
The Grub & The Booze
With consistently tasty bar food at reasonable prices, it’s hard to go wrong here. Nobody at your table will complain if you order anything from the “Freshly Battered, Deep Fried & Extremely Addictive” section and the wings and burgers are stellar, especially the award-winning U.F.O burger (we’d explain what’s in it, but trust us…just order it). If you have a thrill-seeker in your group, point them in the direction of the El Guapo hot wing challenge and they might find themselves on the Wall of Flame. Some things are bigger than trivia. In addition to your standard libations, North River Tavern serves up dozens of local and imported craft beers, available in pints and pitchers.
The Venue ️
No matter how busy it gets, you’ll likely never need to wait long for a table perfectly sized for your team nor will you need to search far for a parking spot. Plus, the sound is crystal clear all throughout the massive restaurant, which also utilizes screens in case you’re more of a visual processor when it comes to trivia. It is, however, awfully large so you might find yourself breaking into a light trot if you’re across the restaurant and running out of time to turn in your answer.
The Trivia Quality
You have options to choose from, with contests on Mondays at 7:00 PM, Wednesdays at 7:30 PM, and Thursdays at 8:00 PM. The space is huge, the A/V is effective, and the hosts are seasoned. NRT can put on trivia in their sleep, so all you need to worry about is bringing the brains.
Smith’s Olde Bar
They could have just served up insane food and crisp beer and called it a day. They could have added a huge area for pool, darts, and other games and still been a premier Atlanta watering hole. But Smith’s Olde Bar also happens to be one of Atlanta’s most historic music venues, having hosted musicians such as David Bowie, John Mayer, Kings of Leon, and Zac Brown Band. Never a place to slap on cruise control, they also manage to put on weekly karaoke, comedy shows, and team trivia nights.
The Grub & The Booze
Smith’s serves up some of the best wings in Atlanta, a city renowned for its beloved wings. As Steak Shapiro recommended in his Top 12 Wings in Atlanta list, the sweet heat sauce is the perfect balance of flavors and the wings themselves are crispy and juicy. There are several other delicious items, like the Backyard Chicken Club, but the drinks are really where the magic is. Get a shooter or order a beer bucket for the whole team to split.
The Venue ️
Their greatest strength as a venue is also their Achilles’ heel of a trivia location. It’s such a happening spot, from happy hours to concerts, that the trivia nights often struggle to keep up. Unless you have a table in the same room as the trivia host, you’ll probably have to strain a bit to hear the questions. Nobody wants to be the grumpy person complaining about the noise levels of someone waiting in line for a concert, so you may just need to accept the madness as an occupational hazard. There’s no onsite parking, but there’s plenty of spots available in the Ansley Mall shopping center right across the street.
The Trivia Quality
Like North River Tavern, Smith’s is a patron of the nation-wide Team Trivia organization. These questions are usually fun and straightforward, but make sure you check out the free Answer of the Night to give your team an extra leg up on the competition.
New Realm
New Realm has certainly earned its place as one of the most popular meet-up spots on the Beltline. With its iconic westward view of the city (just watch the crowd congregating for pics at sunset) as well as a sprawling layout that comfortably fits hundreds, New Realm is a happening hangout spot. Did you know they also offer trivia three nights a week?
The Grub & The Booze
The food here has no business being as good as it is. Most breweries keep their grub low on the totem pole of prioritization, often outsourcing to food trucks and pop-ups, and New Realm could easily do the very same, relying on their beer and stunning views. Instead they knock the gastronomical side of things out of the park. They have incredible pizza, one of the best burgers in town, and no shortage of delicious appetizers for the whole team to split (our current favorite is the Asian-Style Loaded Fries, with Char Siu Pork, Sriracha, Cilantro, and Garlic-Miso Mayo). Needless to say, New Realm also has a killer lineup of in-house beers and seltzers.
The Venue ️
Anybody who’s been to New Realm can tell you that there’s no such thing as a bad seat, particularly on the top level, where the trivia takes place.
The Trivia Quality
This is adult-themed trivia, so leave the kids at home for this one. The questions are a mix of straightforward trivia and more outside-of-the-box activities, all to score some house cash. They offer trivia Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:00 PM and Thursdays at 8:00 PM.
The Nook
Overlooking Piedmont Park for over a decade, the Nook is one of the most exciting neighborhood bars in Midtown. With its massive covered patio and huge interior bar, you’ll be equally at home if you’re bringing a group for dinner or grabbing a drink after work. The Nook checks all the boxes of great food, strong drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere.
The Grub & The Booze
The Totchos are a thing of legend: part tots, part nachos, fully delicious. These smothered spuds are available in several incredible configurations. In response to the pandemic, The Nook has made every type of Totcho a Giving Totcho, which benefits the Giving Kitchen, a beloved Atlanta nonprofit dedicated to assisting Atlanta’s restaurant community facing hardship. We also recommend ordering the house-smoked wings (pro tip: get the sauce on the side to maximize the crispiness of your wings) and a surprisingly delicious black bean burger. In the drinks column, they offer several perfectly-crafted signature cocktails, but their most iconic offering is the Fishbowl, a gallon-sized behemoth available in seven different flavors. You’d probably be best off sharing with your team (with the sanitary separate straws, of course) but tread lightly if you plan to consume a gallon of alcohol on a Wednesday.
The Venue ️
While the inside and outside are both pleasant places for your trivia team, there is no parking specifically for the Nook. Scout out street parking or consider taking a Lyft or Uber (especially if you’re partaking in a fishbowl).
The Trivia Quality
This goes down on Wednesdays at 8pm and is an Outspoken Entertainment event. The questions are straightforward and cover a wide array of categories so assemble a well-rounded lineup!
Moe’s and Joe’s
This Virginia Highland staple has been in business since the Truman Administration. Not much has changed since 1947. There’s an understanding among every patron that you’re getting simple and delicious bar food with plenty of cheap and refreshing (two adjectives that don’t go together nearly enough) Pabst Blue Ribbon.
The Grub & The Booze
PBR! PBR, PBR, PBR. And again, for the people in the back, PBR! Moe’s and Joe’s is known nationwide for slinging endless quantities of the stuff and they have the prices to show for it. Whether you’re getting a $3.50 pitcher or a $2 16-oz can, it’s an unspoken rule that you’re drinking at least one PBR while you’re there. If you’re hungry, you can get the classic Moe’s and Joe’s order: a Mo Jo Burger and fries with a 16-oz PBR and your bill will come in under $10. No joke. This order is no-frills but incredibly satisfying.
The Venue ️
There’s free street parking around the area. Do what you can to sit outside and enjoy some of the best people-watching in Atlanta. If you can’t, there’s plenty of seating indoors.
The Trivia Quality
This is another Team Trivia location, so it’s consistent and varied in question categories. Moe’s and Joe’s holds it on Wednesdays at 8:00 PM.
Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub
Who doesn’t love an Irish pub? From food that sticks to your ribs to the proprietary perfect pint of Guinness, it’s the very definition of comfort. Olde Blind Dog (second restaurant on this list with “olde” in the name!) has comfort food in spades.
The Grub & The Booze
The short rib quesadilla is nothing short of a perfect appetizer, but if you’re really trying to enjoy some authentic Irish fare, check out the shepherd’s pie, pot roast, and corned beef & cabbage. And it wouldn’t be a proper Irish outing if you didn’t order a tall, professionally-poured glass of Guinness. Even if you don’t usually like it, you can’t deny how much better it tastes when served up by well-trained hands (so well-trained, in fact, that they were the first American pub to win the coveted “Irish Pub of the Year” award).
The Venue ️
You can go to either of OBD’s locations, in Brookhaven or Milton, for trivia. They’re both spacious with plenty of places for your team to set up battle stations. Additionally, the entire space is intricately decorated, immediately transporting you across the pond to enjoy a pint in Dublin.
The Trivia Quality
Start your week off right with trivia at either location on Mondays at 7:00 PM. Once again, make sure you look up the free Answer of the Night at TeamTrivia.com!
Red’s Beer Garden
One of Atlanta’s best new hangouts, tucked between Grant Park and East Atlanta Village, is Red’s Beer Garden. Ed and Kristen (AKA “Red”) Sumpter wanted to open a cool local spot showcasing beer in self-serve coolers…add in some fantastic food and you’ve got a winner on your hands. This is quickly becoming one of ATL’s hottest spots for team trivia.
The Grub & The Booze
This food is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, offering a tight lineup of favorites like hot dogs and nachos. First timers would be wise to order Red’s Favorite hot dog, topped with pimento cheese, fig jam, and bacon. Sounds weird? It is. In the best possible way. If you’re not feeling quite that adventurous, you can make your own dog or get one of the simpler sandwiches. Whatever you order, make sure you get it with a side of Red’s Sauce. Trust us. On the drinks side of things, there’s a rotating roster of five beers on tap as well as a massive collection of dozens of beer, seltzers, and more in the fridge, so everyone on your trivia team will find something to enjoy.
The Venue ️
I don’t mean to be THAT guy, but this place’s vibes are off the charts. The staff is helpful and the other customers are easy-going and help provide a sense of community (the dogs help too). This is the kind of spot where you feel like a regular from the moment you set foot on the premises. There’s a vast outdoor seating area with lots of indoor seating as well. As a fair warning, if you’re sitting outside, it can be a schlep to get to the host stand to turn in your answer, so make sure your team works efficiently! Especially if you’re stopping to pet the dogs.
The Trivia Quality
These questions are provided by Outspoken Entertainment so you can expect a wide range of categories and difficulty. Trivia is offered every Tuesday at 7:00 PM, but maybe show up early to snag a good spot and partake in the Happy Hour dollar-off-drinks special from 4-6pm.
Suburban Tap
Ask anybody in East Cobb where to hang out and Suburban Tap will likely be on their shortlist. Factor trivia into the mix and there are few places more popular than this family-friendly sports bar. They’ve been in business in the same location for over two decades and have been hosting trivia for nearly as long, so they know what they’re doing here.
The Grub & The Booze
The food here is almost exactly the same as North River Tavern. This is not an exaggeration…the menus are literally identical, besides a few minor differences. Like NRT, opt for the wings and something from the infamous “Battered Fresh, Deep Fried & Extremely Addictive” section, because…duh. They’ve also got over thirty beers on tap and over 100 options in bottles and cans. Pro tip: you’d be making a mistake if you didn’t order the decadent Big Brownie sundae, a warm “mattress sized” brownie topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and a metaphorical and literal cherry on top.
The Venue ️
Given the throngs of families coming in and out of Suburban Tap on a daily basis, they’ve got a massive space, with a huge patio and plenty of indoor seating as well. With the dark lighting and beer posters, this place is family-friendly without alienating the older clientele coming for the drinks. Plus, there’s arcade games, and who doesn’t love that? The parking lot can be slightly treacherous and space on trivia nights can be limited so be prepared with a backup plan.
The Trivia Quality
After all these years putting on trivia by Team Trivia twice a week, Suburban Tap runs a tight ship. The audio quality is stellar, the hosts are efficient, and the food and drinks never stop flowing. This is simply an iconic OTP trivia locale. Check it out on Wednesdays at 8:00 PM (which also happens to be 2 for 1 boneless wing night, if you’re into the oxymoronic “boneless wing” thing) or Saturdays at 8:30 PM.
Grindhouse Killer Burgers
Every city needs its burger joint, and Grindhouse is fully deserving of its local popularity, with locations in Decatur, Reynoldstown, Morningside, Brookhaven, Athens, and even the airport.
The Grub & The Booze
At Grindhouse, you can build your own or opt for one of their signature burger styles, like the Grindhouse Style (with American cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, pickles, and Grindhouse sauce) or the Hillbilly Style (with pimento cheese, jalapenos, Texas-style chili, and sliced red onion). The beef patties are fantastic, as are the turkey, veggie, and Impossible burger options. Don’t forget to get crinkle fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries, or frings (fries and onion rings) for a balanced meal.
The Venue ️
Each Grindhouse location is spacious, with ample indoor and outdoor seating, and often multiple floors. Plus, you place your order at the counter so once you’re seated, you’re set! Onsite parking is also typically quite available.
The Trivia Quality
They do Dirty South Trivia on Monday evening at 7:30 PM across all locations (besides the airport…but playing trivia while waiting for a delayed flight honestly sounds like a great idea).
Pour Taproom
At Pour, you get what you pay for. Literally! You pour your own beer, wine, or craft cocktails and only pay by the ounce. Whether you just want to try a sip of an intriguing lager or fill an IPA to the rim of your glass, Pour has you covered.
The Grub & The Booze
In addition to the DIY drink-pouring concept, Pour also has a variety of food options at each location. All of them have original pub fare like Pizza Eggrolls, Waffle Fries, and a Bavarian Pretzel. Additionally, the Beltline location has an abbreviated menu from its next-door neighbor Nina & Rafi, so you can pair your favorite beer with delicious pizza, wings, and rice balls.
The Venue ️
Pour has locations in cities like Buffalo, Durham, and Knoxville, but it has three Atlanta stores: on the Beltline, in Midtown, and in West Midtown. Parking can be tricky at these, but they’re all relatively walkable. Plus if you’re pouring your own drinks, you might want to play it safe and not drive.
The Trivia Quality
This trivia is by Outspoken Entertainment and takes place at Midtown on Tuesdays at 7:30 PM and at the West Midtown and the Beltline locations on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM.
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Das BBQ
Atlanta has many BBQ spots held in high esteem, but there’s a selective top tier of spots for smoked meats; Das BBQ is certainly in that echelon.
The Grub & The Booze
Das BBQ has everything you’re looking for with BBQ: brisket, ribs, smoked wings, and all the sides you could hope for. One of their most exceptional dishes, however, is their Elote Cream Corn, a slow-roasted cream mixture of corn, cheese, and jalapenos, which give it a perfectly spicy kick to balance out the slightly sweet corn. The beer supply is always on point, especially their great deals on Shiner and Sweetwater.
The Venue ️
There are two Das BBQ locations, both with plenty of free parking. The OG restaurant is in West Midtown, and it’s great, but their newest spot in Grant Park has a fantastic outdoor patio in addition to a comfortable interior area.
The Trivia Quality
Das BBQ’s trivia is Dirty South, and it’s available at the Grant Park location on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM and in West Midtown on Thursdays at 7:00 PM.
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Bob & Harriet’s Home Bar
“Home bar” is a perfect descriptor for this spot because you’re never going to want to leave.
The Grub & The Booze
They have every type of comfort food imaginable. You can start off with items like Chicken Fingers, Mozz Sticks, and Snack Time (an assortment of meats and cheeses, with peanut butter, crackers, walnuts, veggies, and ranch). For your entrees, they have a locked and loaded lineup of sandwiches (like the Cuban and Griddled PB&J’s on Challah), Burgers + Dogs, and the tremendously-named “I’m Hungry!” section, featuring side-sticking options like Meatloaf and Fried Chicken.
The Venue ️
The restaurant formerly known as the Pullman, Bob and Harriet’s has quickly become a gem of the tightly-knit neighborhood. Parking can be a bit iffy, but once you find a spot, you’re going to want to stay in the comfortable pub as long as you can.
The Trivia Quality
Trivia is every Thursday night at 8:00 PM. It’s hosted by Lebowski Entertainment, which also runs the show at The Vortex in Little Five Points. As the name suggests, the questions are very pop culture-focused (you don’t need to be a trivia buff to know who Lebowski is) so make sure you bring your extra online friends.
Whitehall Tavern
Right on Peachtree Road, Whitehall Tavern (named for a historic Atlanta spot that was in the West End back in 1835) has the perfect atmosphere for a work happy hour, post-Little League outing, catching a Braves game, and playing team trivia.
The Grub & The Booze
Whitehall goes far beyond the bar grub you’re used to. While you can certainly get their fantastic burgers, wings, and chicken tenders, why not try their Hummus or Bierhaus Pretzel (served properly German-style with whole grain mustard)? Their tacos and Fried Fish Sandwich are also unique dishes packed with flavor. They also offer a wide variety of craft beers (supporting local breweries year-round), wines, cocktails, and other fun ways to booze it up.
The Venue ️
You won’t need to worry about finding a parking spot or a table for your team at this massive space. There’s a private room for up to 45 people, along with a game room to keep the kiddos entertained while you and your team are trying to remember the capital of West Virginia (it’s Charleston). It’s also a sports bar of course, so with over 40 TVs, you can count on having a great view of any game you’re trying to enjoy.
The Trivia Quality
The trivia is good ol’ Team Trivia, so you can get the free answer online beforehand, plus the questions and categories are displayed on TV so if you have trouble hearing them you won’t lose your competitive edge!
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Inner Voice Brewing
The only thing that makes trivia more fun is beer, and this Decatur brewery has no shortage of that.
The Grub & The Booze
You already know you’ve got beer (and slushies!) covered. Inner Voice has a stacked roster of 16 rotating beers on tap, including Hazy IPAs, Sours, Lagers, Pilsners, and more, all available in a variety of pour sizes. But did you know you can also get some of the best pizza in ATL, courtesy of Glide Pizza? It’s true! They serve several different types, from Pepp City to the Garlic White Pie. Just make sure to wipe your hands off before turning in your trivia answers.
The Venue ️
Inner Voice is conveniently located smack dab in the heart of downtown Decatur. It’s a very walkable metro area, plus there are a few free parking lots right down the block. The brewery itself is spacious, with plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors.
The Trivia Quality
The trivia takes place on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM and is part of Dirty South Trivia.
