A Power Ranking of the Morningside Heights Trivia Scene

"So who wants to hit trivia this week?" is likely the most frequent text message I send on a weekly basis to any or all of my friend groups in NYC. For me, Tuesday (or alternatively, Wednesday) nights are dedicated to trivia where I've been asked to identify the opening lines of famous books, name the top players of the NBA, or most recently, determine how many sides are on a Dungeons and Dragons die. Trivia is one of the best weekday evening activities for a multitude of reasons: it's a casual hang-out scene, with a planned activity that no one in your friend group needs to organize; it takes place at a reasonable hour and has a generally predictable time limit; and it allows you to sit and drink with purpose. Since it's a weekly occurrence, it's also become a great way to see a group of friends regularly and to integrate different friend groups in a welcoming and vibrant space. And, as I'll share later, it can even be the perfect family activity, where adults vs. kids set the stage for the most competitive round of trivia ever. When ranking my local trivia spots there are several factors I considered, namely: originality, diversity, and enjoyability of the trivia questions; beverage offerings at the bar; engagement level of the trivia host and servers; length of the trivia competition/format of the questions; and, bar foods to snack on while the beer keeps coming. Of course, I must admit that if I was truly a trivia regular at any of these specific bars I suspect my view would be different from my current perspective as a trivia nomad who bops around from bar to bar each week. That being said, please take my recommendations with a grain of salt.

1. Dive 106: In a Trivia League of its Own

Let me set the scene for you: on any given Tuesday night at Amsterdam and 106th, you'll see all of the outdoor tables in front of Dive 106 packed with customers ready to play trivia. Guided by Tyler, the resident trivia host, patrons of Dive 106 participate in a five-round game where questions are posted on the screens inside and outside the bar. While it’s a bummer that the questions are not read aloud, this feature is awesome for visual thinkers. The first round at Dive 106 is always a picture round, where you'll have to identify famous bears (for example, Smoky or Bear Grylls), NBA players, or brands of lotion. The second round topic is chosen by the previous week's second-place team (these rounds are often hit or miss - and usually in my case, miss). The third round topic changes each week: sometimes it’s famous colleges or universities; other times its book titles and their opening lines.

The fourth round is a logic puzzle where you have to merge the answer to two clues to derive a catchphrase, and the fifth is aptly titled "random sh*t you should know." Of all the trivia I've attended, the ambiance at Dive 106 is the best for several reasons: first and foremost, the questions demand collaboration and general knowledge as opposed to just random pop culture or academic facts. Since the final standings are given at the end of the night, getting questions right feels more rewarding at the moment since it’s not in comparison to those around you. They're carefully crafted and not made to trick you while being great conversation starters. The beer on tap at Dive 106 is also awesome and, as it rotates somewhat frequently, I'm always pleasantly surprised by the newest sour, pale ale, or international brew they serve. Save for one negative experience, I've always enjoyed the staff at the bar. Plus, the game lasts for just long enough (about between 1.5 to 2 hours) to make the hangout feel like you enjoyed a great visit, but not too long that you're itching to get home. Trivia is at 7:30 pm on Tuesday and they don’t accept reservations, so arrive early to get seating!

The aforementioned parents team

2. Mel’s Burger Bar: The Unexpected Surprise

It’s not to say that I doubted Mel’s Burger Bar, but it was a nice surprise when we arrived after an intramural basketball game and felt riveted by the questions, were guided by a goofy host, and were served smoothly. The vibes are very chill at Mel’s and there are the classic three rounds, plus a bonus round where points are deducted for incorrect answers. At Mel’s, you’ll find the bar to be extremely chill - unlike at Dive 106 or Amity Hall, the regulars feel more laid back, focused on the bigger group setting and social elements rather than winning the game. There are all sorts of questions asked, from how many miles is Earth away from the Sun to where Tupac was born. There’s ample time to provide answers to each question, and because the categories rotate often enough it feels like anyone could contribute something to a team. The sweet potato fries and sauce at Mel’s are delicious, and the beers on tap are also pleasing. There’s music playing in the background while trivia is going on, which gives some added vibrancy to the bar. I liked that the trivia starts later, 8:30 PM, which lets you eat dinner at home rather than spend extra money on it - this is especially helpful if you’re on a budget! The bartenders are friendly, so if you need recommendations, they’re generally happy to lead you in the right direction. Winners receive a prize for their efforts. Trivia is at 8:30 pm on Tuesday’s, and I recommend making a reservation in advance.

3. Amity Hall Uptown: Reliably a Good Time with a Pop Culture Focus

Wednesday night is trivia night at Amity Hall (both uptown and downtown locations), where over the course of four rounds participants are asked a variety of questions from a multitude of topics. In traditional fashion, there are three rounds: entertainment, back to school, and a music round. That being said, there is plenty of praise go around: the hosts are always vibrant and dynamic, taking on the role of both question asker and emcee; while the rounds go quickly, at the end of each you know where your team is ranked, making the following rounds all the more important if you want to get to the top. Teams finishing in spots one through three win a bar tab prize, and the team with the best name receives a round of free shots. These incentives amplify the fun of the night and make participants more eager to come back because, let’s be honest, in NYC, what is better than free booze? I’ve ranked Amity a little lower for a couple of reasons: for starters, the trivia goes by quite quickly so it’s hard to mull over questions or conduct collaborative conversations with your teammates before the answers must be submitted.

Furthermore, the categories are a bit more boring than the other trivia venues. Additionally, the on-tap beer selection is quite standard, and while I do love their cans and bottled beer options, they are a bit pricier than the other bars around. I would recommend the Dream Patch fruited sour can - it’s scrumptious and a tall boy. The staff at Amity is also so friendly - they make the place! I’ll always go back to Amity, particularly for my sports-watching needs. Trivia is at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, and a reservation is recommended to get seating inside.

4. Lion’s Head Tavern: A Great Bar Scene with Perhaps Too Many Niche Categories

The NYC Bar Trivia League runs the trivia at Lion’s Head Tavern and, although the environment is dynamic, the questions are just sometimes too niche for my liking. Each week there’s a new theme to the trivia and on the nights that I’ve been, for example, “2000’s themed trivia,” the knowledge required is very particular and not as welcoming. Additionally, there are six rounds, each lasting quite a while, which definitely makes the game feel more like a slog than a chase. Because players answer questions on their phones, there also feels like something’s missing - as opposed to the other bars that follow the traditional pencil and paper vibe. The beers on tap at Lion’s Head are good, but the food is quite pricey - and we weren’t too happy that there was a separate cost for fries when ordering sandwiches or burgers. On warmer spring and summer nights there might be more of a crowd, and it might be a place to go when the category is to your liking, which you can check on their Instagram. It’s also nice that they show sports on TV whilst trivia is underway to give you a distraction if you need another reason to show up to the bar! There is a prize for the winners which, in my book, is always a plus. Trivia is at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, and a reservation is recommended to get seating inside.

5. The Heights Bar and Grille: Good for Trivia First-Timers

This review must be kept short and sweet: trivia at the Heights was designed for a college crowd and for this it earns my praise. The rounds are short, with 5 questions each over six rounds, ranging from politics, current events, pop culture, and media. Hosted by Columbia or Barnard students, the ambiance caters to a younger audience where regulars know each other and return for the chance to win a discount on the next bar tab. Tables grade each other’s answers, which in my view more closely mimics a classroom setting than a bar experience. The service is generally quick and the rounds are speedy, making this a predictable scheduled event. I think what is most disappointing is that when trivia ends the upstairs part of the bar closes, so patrons are not able to continue sipping and chatting, but are expected to leave. If you're looking for your first exposure to the trivia scene, the Heights might be a good place to start, but not a place to launch a trivia career. Trivia is at 8:00 PM on Tuesday and a reservation is recommended.