The Best Trivia Nights in Los Angeles

Opened in 2009 by Clay Harding, Chuck Fata, Mike Fata and Brian Sugita, 38 Degrees Ale House & Grill is one of the shining stars of L.A.’s craft beer scene. Located in downtown Alhambra, 38 Degrees features 38 rotating taps, themed beer flights, and thoughtful gastropub food. Beginning at 9 p.m. on Tuesday nights, Action Trivia asks teams an eclectic mix of questions that have been compiled that morning. First prize is a $50 gift card to 38 Degrees, and second place receives a $25 gift card.

The Downtown L.A. Arts District has seen a revival with help from Alchemy & Science, the company from Alan Newman and Stacey Steinmetz that took over Angel City Brewery in early 2012. Their industrial space features a bar on an old loading dock, an event-friendly mezzanine, art-lined walls and Art Deco touches. On Tuesday nights starting at 7 p.m., Dan Shapiro hosts Tacos and Trivia Tuesdays. They tap into the Brainstormer Pub Quiz, Taqueria El Severo sells tacos, and of course there are plenty of house-brewed pints sell to participants. The “ultimate trivia nerd” typically scores Angel City merch.

Bobby Green, Dimitri Komarov and Dmitry Liberman have become three of the most stylish alcohol peddlers in California with their 1933 Group. The space that started it all is Bigfoot Lodge, a national park themed bar that debuted in Atwater Village in 1999. On Wednesdays from 9–11 p.m., they host six rounds of trivia, with the top prize of a $50 gift card and a $25 gift card for second place. Better yet, Bigfoot Lodge hosts a “Brain Drain” dance party after trivia ends, with DJ Carlos Rossi spinning vinyl.

Tucked away in the West San Fernando Valley, the Winnetka neighborhood now features a craft beer (and trivia) destination thanks to Harry J. Friedman, who revamped the Winnetka Inn in 2011. Friedman promises “no crap on tap” and “18 glorious rotating taps” at his eponymous neighborhood bar. On Monday nights starting at 8:30 p.m., bartender Vince starts rattling off questions. Two-person teams compete in five categories, with 10 questions per category. The winning team gets a $30 bar tab.

The third craft beer destination from Peggy Simonian and the late, great David Farnsworth debuted in 2011 near Pasadena City College. Lucky Baldwins Trappiste packs 65 taps, including plenty of Belgians, IPAs and reliable pours of Pasadena's own Craftsman Brewing. Brick walls are lined with promotional tins from famed Belgian breweries. There are flat screen TVs everywhere you turn and they're usually tuned to sports like football and fútbol. On Monday night from 9–11 p.m., an Action Trivia emcee rattles off questions and when the dust settles, Lucky Baldwin’s awards a $25 gift card for first place and a $10 gift card for second.

L.A.’s most ambitious new brewery belongs to Tony Yanow and Meg Gill and encompasses 42,000 square feet in Atwater Village. The structure once belonged to Southern Pacific Railroad, and trains still scream by the colorful red, blue and yellow buildings. The sprawling Pub at Golden Road Brewing is housed in the yellow building. On every second Tuesday of the month, Trivia Masters Bryan Chabrow and Sam Clarke take over the Astroturf "lawn" that wraps around the Pub. The menu typically includes $15 pitchers of Golden Road Brewing's 329 Lager, Point the Way IPA, Hefeweizen and Get Up Offa That Brown. Giveaways and raffles on trivia night typically include glassware, hats and theater tickets.

The Surly Goat is a key cog in the growing craft beer empire from Ryan Sweeney, Brandon Bradford and Alen Aivazian. The West Hollywood space features a variety of environments, including a lounge area, bar and outdoor patio with picnic tables. Shuffleboard is also a popular feature. Every Monday night, starting at 8:30 pm, the bar hosts a Pop Culture focused trivia night, with emcee Jason MacLeod handling the mic. First place wins a $20 gift certificate and second place wins $10.

This versatile Atwater Village outpost from the Lawry’s group dates to 1922 and features a Scottish theme, including framed tartans and flags that correspond to different clans. Chef Mark Kalenderian serves Lawry’s signature prime rib, Yorkshire pudding and mashed potatoes, along with particularly Scottish fare like haggis, only in pie form. In the Ale & Sandwich Bar, whiskey and beer flows, and on Tuesdays from 7–9 p.m. the space hosts Trivia Tuesday at the Tam. First, second and third place winners get $25, $15 and $10 restaurant gift certificates, respectively.

Located in Highland Park, The York is one of L.A.’s leading gastropubs, featuring an industrial setting with exposed brick walls. Helmed by Ryan Ballinger, The York consistently has one of the area’s strongest craft beer programs, including a rotating cask, and they deliver hearty pub fare like burgers, fish and chips, and steak frites. On Monday nights beginning at 9 p.m., emcee “Two-Hand Joe” hosts what Ballinger describes as “the most intelligent and competitive trivia night in Los Angeles.”