Hey trivia blog stalkers…err “followers!” I’ll  be checking out the trivia scene at Cultivate Coffee & Tap House tonight. I can hardly resist the temptation to check out a new trivia spot in my ‘hood, and this is the perfect week to do it! Weather is good enough to walk up there, and I don’t have to work on Wednesday. My husband is not really a fan of the place, so it will probably just be me (though I will meet him afterward so he can give me a ride home). I just texted my hair stylist Heidi and invited her out for the fun! I actually met her for drinks at Cultivate last September, and she recently mentioned the new trivia scene at Cultivate to me (you can’t cut my hair without learning that I’m a huge trivia nerd, lol). I don’t think she’ll be a huge help on the questions, but if nothing else, we can discuss my upcoming haircut! Now what could be more exciting than THAT?

It will be kind of interesting going to this place, not only because of the wide selection of beers and ciders. One thing of note, a former trivia host named Kuma is now working as a brewer there. I don’t think it’s likely I’ll see him there in the evening hours, but it just goes to show what a small world the trivia world really is. It will also be interesting to say “hi” to the trivia host Charlie, whom I don’t think I’ve seen in the trivia trenches for years. I remember when he got his start on the “mic,” back in 2012 at the Wurst Bar, which used to offer Sporcle Live trivia (now only offers MTL trivia). Though Charlie’s start was a bit rough at first, he’s turned into a reliable and decent slinger of trivia!

I was just chatting with another trivia host earlier about how pub trivia has the power to bridge many social gaps. Consider the case of Powell’s Pub, which is arguably a “dive” bar, though I have also heard much worse descriptors of this place. A friend once mentioned in passing of Powell’s: “I take my own life in my hands every time I set foot in the place.” And I would have never set foot in this place had I not heard that it had a Monday night trivia scene, which has come to grow on me. Sure, the clientele is a little rough, and the gravel parking lot has enough potholes to warrant naming them. But the “cozy” atmosphere, priced-right drinks and a bar staff that remembers your name keeps us coming back. I kind of have a dual citizenship when it comes to beer drinking. Though I love the “crafty” brews, I don’t turn my nose up at the “domestic” stuff, either. My favorite “beer flavored beer,” Labatt, is technically an “import.” Does that make me a “beer snob?” Fair enough! I drink what I want and don’t judge others for what they like to drink!

The same can be said about the numerous “craft” beer joints that offer trivia nights. Though microbrewery/brewpubs aren’t everyone’s favorite bar scene, I have seen more people visit these places on trivia nights than I can count whom would normally not set foot in these kinds of places. A brewpub about a half hour from me started offering trivia in 2016, and it proved to be a magnet not only for trivia (and beer) lovers from near and afar (me included), but even for some “locals” whom had never visited the place before.

Trivia, no matter where it’s being hosted, can also just bring people together in general. I’ve met countless people just playing this game from all walks of life. Trivia rivals (even fierce trivia rivals) becoming your friends is not uncommon – even if they are people that you would think you don’t share too much else in common. The shared love of trivia is the greatest love of all, lol (sounds better coming out of Whitney Houston).

As you can probably tell, I’m beyond excited to check out this trivia scene! Check in Wednesday for a recap of this game.  Go Pods!