Best Trivia Night Bars In The Peninsula

We live in a magical place in which we can both exercise our brains and drink at the same time, and it's called trivia night. A host of bars and restaurants all over San Francisco's Peninsula specialize in entertaining our grey matter with questions meant to be answered in a snap. Whether it be the thrill of competition or the plain agony of defeat, no matter if we win or lose, trivia games invariably give our minds a jolt of nostalgia, a zap of historical fact, or a glimpse of musical stats we might have never remembered. Game enthusiasts and trivia buffs have a bevy of bars and places to choose from when they feel like putting their noggins to the test.

The Rose & Crown
547 Emerson St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 327-7673
www.roseandcrownpa.com

Trivia Nights: Tuesday at 8 p.m.

This bar and restaurant combo is ostensibly the place to be if you're looking for the best in trivia, and as an added bonus, there's also a $3 beer special if you come early. The crowd at this soccer pub is usually a mix of Stanford students and young professionals. These trivia enthusiasts always come armed with a head full of answers to even the most challenging questions, so be sure to bring your A game. Not only is the trivia vast and interesting, but so are the incredible list of beers. The menu at this fun pub includes English, Belgium, German and U.S. ales and pilsners. From Fullers London Pride & Murphy's Irish Stout to Spaten Pils and Russian River Pliny the Elder, the beer choices at establishment are never sparse.

Related: Best College Basketball Bars In San Francisco 

Stephens Green Irish Sports Bar & Restaurant
223 Castro St.
Mountain View, CA 94041
(650) 964 9151
www.ststephensgreen.com

Trivia Nights: Wednesday at 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Located in the heart of downtown Mountain View, the live event trivia night at Stephens Green Irish Sports Bar does not charge a cover fee, but you are asked to bring a team of up to 6 people. If you're flying solo, no problem--you can always join a team when you get there. Stop by happy hour  at 5 p.m. to get properly inebriated before trivia starts (it helps some people think better). There are prizes every week at this pub, and even if your team doesn't win in trivia, there's plenty else to do. The bar offers a wide range of champion league soccer games, NFL Sunday Ticket, college football, big ten and ESPN games. You can also catch Six Nations Rugby tournaments, ice hockey, baseball and basketball here. Stephens Green serves a full menu of burgers, sandwiches and salads. Other evening entertainment besides Trivia Nights include comedy night Tuesdays, DJs every Friday, Latin Nights every 1^st and 3^rd Saturday and Vibe Nights every 2^nd and 4^th Saturday. Stephens Green is located just blocks from the Mountain View Cal Train station. You'll find plenty of free parking around in one of the various city lots along Hope St. and Bryant St. until 1a.m.

O'Neill's Irish Pub
34 South B St.
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 347-1544
www.tisoneills.com

Trivia Nights:  Wednesday at 8 p.m.

This Irish Pub first opened its doors in San Mateo on St. Patrick's Day in 1998, and has been serving neighborhood residents ever since. Like a scene plucked straight from a "Cheers" episode, O'Neill's is a friendly and welcoming bar that hosts live music, great food and fine beers. This is one of San Mateo's best kept secrets. If you are distinctly looking for smart trivia games loaded with great questions and tons of fun, the bars Wednesday night pub quiz is just for you. For corporate event planners, a company trivia quiz is a great event for employees to get engaged and have fun.  For a glimpse of upcoming trivia night themes and special details, visit the pub's Facebook page.  The Pub currently has two locations, with its second location in San Francisco, across from the ballpark.

Sports Page
1431 Plymouth St.
Mountain View, CA 94043
(650) 961-1992
www.sportspagesf.com

Trivia Nights: Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Said to be Google employees' prime meet-up spot for happy hours, the Sports Page offers fabulous trivia nights every Thursday starting at 6:30 p.m. You're welcome to come with co-workers, a team, or by yourself. No matter how you roll in, it's sure to be a ton of fun. In the summer months, trivia takes place outside (perfect for those Google employees or anyone else who's been cramped up in a cubicle all day). If you also like darts, table tennis, pool, beach volleyball and all things karaoke, then this bar will suit all of your entertainment needs. Sports Page also offers live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Florida transplants will be happy to know that Sports Page is also the "South Bay Swamp" for the San Francisco Bay Area Gator Club, where Gator fans meet during Florida Gator Football and Basketball games.

Trials Pub
265 N 1st St
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 947-0497
www.trialspub.com

Trivia Nights: Monday at 8:30 p.m.

Trials Pub is an authentic British saloon in the heart of Silicon Valley, and with a motto like "In the beginning, there were no pubs. Life sucked," you know this is a fun place to kick back. Monday Night Trivia at this pub begins at 8:30 p.m. On trivia nights, whether you're in it to win it or just there to have fun, prepare to get pummeled! The questions lobbed at you and your teammates are challenging, but the prize at the end for the winner is not too shabby either. The teams consist of three players, and all answers are written down on paper. If your team wins, you receive $30 bar credit. Try the 20 ounce pint of beers on tap to get those synapses firing.

Related: Best Margaritas In East Bay

Kelly Gullo is a freelance writer in San Francisco, CA. Kellys topics are about music and nightlife. Kelly has also written a variety of articles on health and dieting and topics related to the environment. Kelly has a degree in journalism and public relations from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.