Pub quizzes

Planning
As with any event, the key to a successful pub quiz is proper planning. The following guidelines should help you plan for a successful night of fundraising – and fun!

Venue
Choose a popular central venue that potential participants will be comfortable with. While pubs are the preferred venue you can also hold a table quiz in a hotel. This can work well if you can get an organisation with lots of members locally (eg trade union, sports club) to run the quiz on your behalf.

Timing
Most pubs will not allow quizzes on the weekend. Check with the proprietor/manager well in advance and agree on a date that suits everyone. Avoid clashing with other local events and watch out for televised events such as major sporting fixtures.

Resources

  • Quizmaster
  • Two scorekeepers to
  • a) Hand out answer sheets and collect same after each round of questions.
  • b) Update score-sheet after each round.
  • Two people to sell raffle tickets
  • Sound system – microphone and speaker.
  • Prizes (for quiz and raffle).
  • Raffle tickets
  • Spare pens and notepaper for each table.
  • Large score-sheet (flip-chart is ideal for this) to record team scores for each round.
  • A4 score sheet for quizmaster – needs this to announce the leading teams after round three, round six and at the end of the quiz. Links to Score Sheet
  • Answer sheets (one per table for each round of questions) to include table number and team name. Always bring extra Answer Sheets
  • List of questions for each round. Unless your quiz is themed (eg Music quiz) you should aim for a mix of general knowledge. This can include sport, current affairs, history, geography, film, music, famous quotes etc. You could also include a picture round (questions featuring well known personalities, landmarks etc) and an audio round (name the singer / song / film etc).
  • List of tie-breaker questions in case two or more teams end up with the same score.

Promotion
Publicise your event as much as possible in the run-up to your event. Here are some options:

  • Local newspapers (send press release)
  • Local Radio (community notices etc)
  • Posters (especially in the venue hosting the event)
  • Facebook and Twitter - get all group members to post info on their pages.
  • Email - all group members ask contacts if they would take part or bring a team.
  • Text – all group members ask contacts if they would take part or bring a team.

Pricing.
The usual entry fee is €5 per person and teams normally consist of four people. A good idea is to print some entry tickets for sale in advance. This way, people who cannot attend can support you anyway by buying a ticket. Offer to put them in a team with some person you know will be at the quiz (yourself or another group member perhaps).

Prizes
The proprietor/manager of the venue hosting your event will usually donate prizes for the winners and runners-up (eg bottles of wine or free drinks) if asked. They may also supply some finger food – especially if you are bringing a good number of people.

Adding value
Combine your quiz with a raffle. Local businesses can be asked for prizes. Raffle tickets usually sell for €2 each and €5 per strip of three – use your own discretion.

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