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When it comes to pop culture, there's no such thing as useless information. Sure, that part of your brain that stores the names of all five Golden Girls could've been used to cure cancer or invent a time-travel machine. But without it, you wouldn't be nearly so impressive to your friends on pub trivia nights.
Whether you're the music nerd who's well versed in genres from Bossa Nova to The Spice Girls, or that freaky savant who actually retained the information they were taught in eighth grade American History class, your trivia skills can come in extra handy at a boozy trivia night. They also make you one of the lucky nerds who win free bar tabs, free food, and even cash. And even if you don't score any swag, there's still no better way to unwind from the job you hate, the classes you can't stand, or that hair-pulling traffic on I-95 than with some healthy competition. So study hard and round up your most quick-witted friends -- we've rounded up Miami's top five trivia nights.
5. Tuesday Night Trivia at Elwood's Gastropub
Held every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, Elwood's schedule allows you sufficient time in between to generate the brain cells necessary for a record-breaking streak of correct answers -- or just to chug another round. This trivia night consists of three rounds of questions with prizes for winners of each round. Let's hope you're not one of those competitive people who get violent.
Deal: Two Estrella Damns on draft for $8, and $5 off all wine bottles.
Win: A pitcher of beer, beer glasses, and a t-shirt -- you know, in case you play dirty.
8 p.m., 188 NE Third Ave., Miami, 305-358-5222, elwoodsgastropub.com
4. Team Trivia Fridays at Sandbar Sports Grill
This dive bar is home to penny beers, tabletop dancing, and every student in Miami at some point in their college careers. Every Friday night, Sandbar's game enthusiasts divide into teams for a heady game of trivia. You can down a steeply discounted cocktail like their famous hurricane for some liquid knowledge. That's how most of us made it through college, after all.
Deal: Extended Happy Hour starting at 7 p.m., and half off selected menu items.
Win: Gift cards. Cha-ching!
10 p.m., 3064 Grand Ave., Miami, 305-444-5270, sandbargrove.com
3. Team Trivia Thursdays at John Martin's Irish Pub
Get ready to answer a toughie or two. John Martin's Team Trivia Thursdays are hosted by Trivia Leaders -- we're talking legitimate curators of the quiz. Teams of six put their thinking helmets on and go head to head for coveted prizes and the even more covetable title of Smarty Pants. Should you find yourself feeling like a sore loser, there's plenty of beer on hand for some courage.
Deal: None. Lame. But all the more motivation to win that prize, damn it!
Win: T-shirt and $25 gift card
8 p.m., 253 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, 305-445-3777, johnmartins.com
2. Pub Quiz Tuesdays at Fado Irish Pub
Snag a seat at this weekly trivia tourney hosted by Emcee J.R. Teams participate in a seven-round game, making Fado's quiz-fest the lengthiest trivia night of the bunch. Huddle with your crew to answer questions of all difficulty levels generated by Brainstormer. You may want to put your phone away, though. With so many eyes on you, things could get ugly, unless you plan on bribing opponents with free pints of Guinness.
Deal: Specials on beer and food menu items all night.
Win: $100, $50, and $25 go to the top three teams. With cash on the line, you can probably wait until after trivia to start drinking. We're only kidding ourselves.
8 p.m., 900 South Miami Ave., 2nd Floor, Miami, 786-924-0972, fadoirishpub.com/miami/
1. Camp Ricochet Tuesdays at Ricochet Bar and Lounge
We can't help but like the sound of Camp Ricochet. It reminds us of summers spent by the campfire making s'mores, only here you don't have to hide your vodka in a water bottle. Trivia nights are themed (think wig night or masquerade night) and questions are appropriate to the theme. A lightening round will have you jumping out of your seat for joy because that means free shots! As if it couldn't get any better, all trivia nights at Ricochet include free pizza. Be still, our hearts.
Deals: $3 PBR, $6 Jameson shots, and ladies drink free from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Oh, and free pizza!
Win: Bottle for bottle service. Classy.
10 to 11:30 p.m., 3250 NE First Ave., #122B, Miami, 786-353-0846, ricochetlounge.com
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