11th Apr 2025
How to Make the Most of Bank Holidays at Your Pub
Here at Trust Inns, we believe that hosting a pub quiz night can turn a regular evening into a lively, memorable experience that draws a crowd and engages your local community. Hosting a quiz night provides a perfect mix of entertainment, friendly competition, and socialising, making it an ideal way to bring people together and improve your pub’s atmosphere. Here are some key tips and ideas to help make your quiz night a success!
Themed quiz nights capture attention and spark curiosity. From classic themes like music or sports to more specific ones like 80s nostalgia or “Great British Pubs,” pick a theme that appeals to your regulars. Seasonal themes, like Halloween or Christmas, can also be great for high turnout.
A good quiz keeps everyone engaged, so include a mix of question types to appeal to different strengths. We recommend using categories like history, pop culture, geography, sport, and general knowledge. Include a few wildcard questions to add an element of surprise! For added fun, consider multimedia questions that involve music or visual cues to keep things fresh.
Set up your space for easy visibility, so all teams can see the host and any screen or scoreboards you might use. Keep seating arrangements team-friendly and ensure everyone has a good view of the quizmaster. For those with a large crowd, a microphone is a must, and remember to be loud and clear, as you don’t want anyone to miss any questions.
Everyone loves a prize! Consider offering a big prize for first place and a smaller prize for second place. Food and drink vouchers tend to be the most popular prize as they provide immediate value to participants but also encourage them to return to your establishment. You could even include a special prize for “Best Team Name” to add an extra element of excitement.
The host makes a huge difference. Choose someone personable, humorous, and organised—someone who can engage with the audience and keep the quiz moving along smoothly. A bit of playful banter, encouragement, and excitement keeps the energy lively throughout the night.
To make your quiz event a little different, you can shake things up with interactive rounds that go beyond your traditional Q&A. For example, try a “speed round” with rapid-fire questions, a “guess the song” segment, or a picture round using celebrities or famous pub landmarks. Interactive rounds provide variety and can give teams with different strengths a chance to shine.
If your quiz night is a success, why not make it a weekly or monthly event? A regular quiz schedule will attract a loyal following, turning occasional visitors into regular customers. Plus, it gives your team a chance to experiment with new themes and formats.
While some players take quizzes seriously, remember that the ultimate goal is to have fun! Remind teams it’s all good in spirit and discourage any behaviours that might disrupt the friendly atmosphere.
A pub quiz night, done well, can turn an ordinary weeknight into a packed event. By creating an inclusive, engaging environment and focusing on entertainment, you’ll have customers anticipating your next quiz night.
With the right approach, quiz night can become one of your best nights at your pub, building loyalty and excitement around your establishment. Ready to make these ideas a reality? Run your own pub with Trust Inns; contact us today for more information