The Best Pub Trivia in Sydney for a Dose of Organised Fun

Need a midweek pick-me-up? The best pub trivia in Sydney will have you sorted.

White Cockatoo Hotel
White Cockatoo Hotel

Sydney’s best pub trivia nights span cash prizes at Penny’s Hotel in Potts Point, pop-culture rounds at The Stoned Crow in Crows Nest, and a chic weekday session at East Village Hotel in Darlinghurst. Having a standing weekly appointment with your pals is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and the working week is a lot easier if you’ve got a night of trivia and bargain jugs to look forward to, it’s also a great chance to score some weekly dining deals along the way.

Add rooftop quizzing at Royal Hotel in Paddington and drag trivia at The Carrington in Surry Hills, and there’s a night for every crowd. Sydneysiders are smitten with pub trivia, which means you’ve got plenty of options whether you’re a film buff or a general knowledge maven, so read on for our edit of the city’s best, from prize money to atmosphere.

Best Pub Trivia: Editor’s Pick

Crowd playing trivia under disco ball at Felons Barrel Room Manly Sydney
Felons Barrel Room, Manly, Sydney (Image Credit: Felons)

Felons

Felons runs trivia twice over at Manly Wharf, Tuesday nights at Felons Manly and Wednesdays next door at Felons Barrel Room, so there’s really no excuse to skip a week. Both are free to play with cash prizes, merch and vouchers up for grabs, and the Barrel Room sessions come with an added cash jackpot and happy hour drinks running alongside. Bookings essential either way.

Tuesdays, 7pm (Felons Manly) & Wednesdays, 7pm (Felons Barrel Room)

Suburb: Manly
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Locals, Budget-friendly

Best Pub Trivia for Big Prizes

Penny’s Hotel

Penny’s Hotel

Recently refurbed, Penny’s is a lovely spot to while away any night of the week but Wednesdays offers a little extra. Swing by after 7pm on a Wednesday and you can get amongst Penny’s weekly themed trivia that offers up cash prizes for first, second and third place. There’s also a weekly cocktail special available at $15 a pop and an $18 loaded nachos special. How’s that for hump day!

Wednesdays from 7pm

Suburb: Potts Point
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Locals, Budget-friendly
Need To Know: Wednesday trivia from 7pm with cash prizes for the top three teams, plus a $15 cocktail special and a pizza special on the night.

Royal Hotel

Royal Hotel Paddington

Trivia never looked so good, with this heritage pub boasting a beautiful open-air rooftop with striking views over the city. Royal Hotel has broad appeal among Paddington’s stylish locals, and Tuesday Tuesdays sees a few familiar faces returning for the weekly quiz.

With $200 worth of prizes to be won, you’ll want to round up your mates with plenty of general knowledge.

Tuesdays from 7.30 pm

Suburb: Paddington
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Outdoor dining, Locals
Need To Know: Tuesdays from 7.30pm, with $200 worth of prizes up for grabs. Rooftop seating available.

Golden Age Cinema & Bar
Golden Age Cinema & Bar

Golden Age Cinema & Bar

This sought-after trivia sesh is a touch on the boujie side with the Golden Age Bar at your disposal for cocktails and nibbles. The movie-themed quiz is free but you’ll need to book a table. The prizes are top-tier with cocktails and Golden Age gift passes up for grabs. 

Monday, 6:30 pm for a 6:45 pm start 

Suburb: Surry Hills
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Date night, Cocktail lovers
Need To Know: Free entry, booking required. Mondays, 6.30pm for a 6.45pm start. Movie-themed quiz with cocktails and Golden Age gift passes as prizes.

Forresters
Forresters

Forresters

The vibes at Forresters are always impeccable but if you fancy something a little extra to accompany your favourite tipple, head by on a Wednesday for some trivia. It’s a good idea to book if you don’t want to miss out and there are some awesome prizes up for grabs. First place? An $80 bar tab!

Wednesdays, 7:30 pm 

Suburb: Surry Hills
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Locals, Budget-friendly
Need To Know: Wednesdays from 7.30pm, booking recommended. First place wins an $80 bar tab.

Best Pub Trivia in Surry Hills

Dove and Olive
Dove and Olive

Dove and Olive

This Surry Hills watering hole keeps things traditional with happy hours and meal deals but stands out as the home of Sydney’s original Craft Beer Fight Club.

The pub meals and laidback atmosphere see this establishment mostly filled with locals, but Trivia Tuesday and Wednesday sees an influx of fresh faces, ready to battle it out for the title of Most Intelligent Table.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 pm

Suburb: Surry Hills
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Locals, Budget-friendly
Need To Know: Trivia Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7pm. Home of Sydney’s original Craft Beer Fight Club, with regular happy hours and meal deals.

The Carrington
The Carrington

The Carrington 

This dog-friendly Surry Hills favourite hosts drag trivia every Tuesday night. Pair with a schnitty and a group of quiz-obsessed mates and you’ll already feel like you’ve won. 

Tuesday evenings, 7pm

Suburb: Surry Hills
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Dog-friendly, Locals
Need To Know: Tuesday evenings from 7pm. Weekly drag trivia.

Best Pub Trivia in the Eastern Suburbs

East Village Hotel
East Village Hotel

East Village Hotel

Settle in for a chic pub do and a round of trivia at Darlinghurst’s East Village Hotel. From the lively ground floor to the intimate rooftop, there is so much to love about this heritage pub, and Trivia Wednesdays have returned for mid-week fun.

With $22 pub classics including rump steak, schnitty’s and $10 cocktails, your weekday just got a lot better.

Wednesdays from 6.30pm

Suburb: Darlinghurst
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Locals, Budget-friendly
Need To Know: Trivia Wednesdays from 6.30pm, with $22 pub classics and $10 cocktails.

The Light Brigade
The Light Brigade

The Light Brigade 

Test your general knowledge at The Light Brigade‘s trivia sessions every Monday.

Monday 6:30 pm for a 7 pm start 

Suburb: Woollahra
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Locals
Need To Know: Mondays, 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Lord Dudley Hotel
Lord Dudley Hotel

Lord Dudley Hotel

While there’s no shortage of English-style pubs in Sydney, few possess quintessential British charm like this corner pub, where you can nestle by the open fire and enjoy a pint of Old Speckled Hen with a side of trivia.

Thursday Night Trivia is a loved weekly tradition, held upstairs in the Guinness Room where $25 jugs of Balter XPA turn an otherwise regular weeknight into a lively spectacle. Did we mention there is a prize for last place? Everyone is a winner!

Thursdays from 7.30 pm

Suburb: Paddington
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Locals, Budget-friendly
Need To Know: Thursdays from 7.30pm, held upstairs in the Guinness Room. $25 jugs of Balter XPA, with a prize for last place as well as first.

The Village Inn
The Village Inn

The Village Inn 

Kick off the nearly weekend with Thursday night trivia at The Village Inn. The historic pub is the perfect place to cosy up for a fun night with your pals with $24 selected jugs available throughout your trivia sesh. 

Thursdays, from 7 pm 

Suburb: Paddington
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Locals, Budget-friendly
Need To Know: Thursdays from 7pm, with $24 selected jugs available throughout trivia.

Best Pub Trivia Beyond the Inner City

Busy bar interior with patrons on trivia night at The Stoned Crow Crows Nest Sydney
The Stoned Crow, Crows Nest Sydney (Image Credit: The Stoned Crow)

The Stoned Crow

This Stoned Crow brings the crowd every Wednesday, covering everything from pop culture to news to movies, nothing’s off-limits. Pair it with $7 Young Henry’s schooners and you’ve got yourself a proper hump day sorted, with vouchers up for grabs for the top three teams.

Wednesdays, 7pm

Suburb: Crows Nest
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Locals, Budget-friendly
Need To Know: Wednesdays from 7pm, with $7 Young Henry’s schooners and vouchers for the top three teams.

Entrance signage with cactus garden at The Mona Vale Hotel Mona Vale Sydney
The Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale Sydney (Image Credit: The Mona Vale Hotel)

The Mona Vale Hotel

This local runs trivia twice a week for anyone who can’t settle on just one night. Tuesday at the Mona Vale Hotel brings the standard weekly quiz from 7pm, free entry but bookings essential, while selected Thursdays switch things up with themed trivia rounds. Check the calendar for upcoming dates before you lock in your team.

Tuesdays, 7pm & selected Thursdays, 7pm

Suburb: Mona Vale
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Locals, Budget-friendly
Need To Know: Free entry, bookings essential. Standard weekly quiz Tuesdays from 7pm, with themed trivia on selected Thursdays from 7pm, check the venue calendar for dates.

The Alcott
The Alcott

The Alcott

A lush oasis in the heart of Lane Cove, The Alcott looks after all your dining and trivia needs. On the food front, their Mediterranean-leaning share plates deliver on flavour, whilst their dedicated spritz bar will quench your thirst in the most delicious way possible.

Wednesdays from 7 pm

Suburb: Lane Cove
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Locals, Cocktail lovers
Need To Know: Wednesdays from 7pm. Mediterranean-leaning share plates and a dedicated spritz bar.

White Cockatoo Hotel
White Cockatoo Hotel

White Cockatoo Hotel

This corner pub is as welcoming as they come and a perfect spot to gather regularly with your pals. Their classic trivia nights make hump day a little easier and also involve $20 Toohey New jugs. Say less!

Wednesdays, 7 pm 

Suburb: Petersham
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Locals, Budget-friendly
Need To Know: Wednesdays from 7pm, with $20 Toohey New jugs.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sydney’s Best Pub Trivia

There’s no single best, it depends on what you’re after. Penny’s Hotel in Potts Point and Royal Hotel in Paddington stand out for cash prizes, while The Carrington in Surry Hills is the pick for something more novelty-driven with its weekly drag trivia. If you want a laid-back neighbourhood feel, White Cockatoo Hotel in Petersham or Dove and Olive in Surry Hills are solid, low-key options. The right venue really comes down to whether you’re chasing prize money, atmosphere, or just a regular weeknight ritual with friends.

Policies vary by venue, so it’s worth checking directly, but several of Sydney’s most popular trivia nights do recommend or require booking, particularly at busier venues like Golden Age Cinema & Bar and The Mona Vale Hotel. Free entry doesn’t always mean walk-up availability, especially once a trivia night builds a regular following. Calling ahead or booking online, where available, is the safest way to guarantee your team a table, especially heading into a long weekend or public holiday period.

Most Sydney pub trivia nights are free to enter, with the pub instead making money from food and drink specials on the night. Venues like Golden Age Cinema & Bar and The Mona Vale Hotel offer free entry, while still running prize incentives for the top teams. It’s worth checking the specific venue before you go, as a small number of trivia nights do run entry fees or minimum spend requirements, particularly for themed or ticketed events.

Wednesday is the most common night for pub trivia across Sydney, likely because it splits the working week and gives punters a genuine midweek lift. That said, plenty of venues run trivia on other nights too, Tuesdays at Royal Hotel and Dove and Olive, and Thursdays at Lord Dudley Hotel and The Village Inn, so there’s genuinely something on most nights if Wednesday doesn’t suit your schedule.

Royal Hotel in Paddington offers up to $200 worth of prizes weekly, making it one of the more lucrative options in the city. Forresters in Surry Hills offers an $80 bar tab for first place, while Penny’s Hotel runs cash prizes for the top three teams each week. If prize money is your main motivation, these three are worth prioritising over venues that focus purely on the social side of trivia night.

Did you love this edit of the best pub trivia in Sydney and are now looking for more organised fun ideas? Take a peek at what’s on this week in Sydney, or, try our roundup of the best happy hours in the city. 

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