Let’s get quizzical: Thanet’s best pub quizzes
Pub quiz season is here. Check out all the best nights in Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs to test your general knowledge
A pub quizmaster recently told us, "There's no August in Quizland." And that is absolutely true, except in the pubs where it isn't. But the point is, as we roll into September, many quiz hosts are awaking from their summer slumber. They're penning new questions, thinking up new bonus rounds, and lining up prizes.
Thanet is absolutely brimming with great pub quizzes, with nights designed to test whatever your strongest area of general knowledge is. Music? Yes. Pop culture? Yes. The names of Thanet villages? Sure. Your ability to turn a teammate into an animal using only newspaper, bin bags and silver foil? That’s not an area of general knowledge, but there’s more than one opportunity a month to do that.
So, put your phone away, grab a beer and sit down. Here are our picks of the best pub quizzes in Thanet.
Mr Teds
We love Mr Teds. His raucous quiz nights are always a huge amount of fun. As well as your standard quiz questions, music and picture rounds, you’ll also find yourself doing life drawing and costume making. There are catchphrases to learn, a prosthetic vagina and probably some ventriloquism too. Shots will be liberally handed out to teams who impress Mr Teds on the way, and the winners take away (or immediately consume) a bottle of prosecco.
Such is the popularity of these nights that Mr Teds tours around the country each month (except August), which includes dates in all three Thanet towns. During the second week of each month, you’ll find him at the Horse & Groom in Ramsgate on Tuesday, Margate’s Hoffs on Wednesday, and Neptunes Hall in Broadstairs on Thursday.
Entry is £3 per person, and it starts at 7.30pm (don’t turn up late and disrupt the opening performance). Contact your pub of choice to book a table for your team. Follow Mr Teds on Instagram.
Seabird, Ramsgate
As well as offering an excellent food menu, this bar and kitchen on Addington Street also holds a monthly quiz night. Each month is themed - recently questions have focussed on pop music, film, the 80s and the 90s.
Takes place on the last Wednesday of every month with a sharp 7pm start. Entry is £2.50 per person with a maximum team size of five. The winning team takes the whole cash pot. There are also spot prizes as the night progresses. Details on the Seabird website.
Xylo, Margate
Another absolute favourite of ours is Xylo’s Ultimate Quiz. A bold title in a town with a thriving pub quiz scene, but they really do pull it off. If you’re a music fan, then this one is a real must, as it’ll test your knowledge of song lyrics and observation skills while watching a music video. Don’t just arrive with a load of music nerds in tow though, because there are also rounds going deep into local Thanet knowledge and beer.
This one takes place at 8pm every penultimate Thursday of the month from September to May. Entry is £2 per person, with the winning team taking all the money. Second prize is free entry next time. Email bookings@xylobrew.com or book at the bar. Follow Xylo on Instagram.
The Shakespeare, Margate
A relative newcomer on the Margate pub scene (it just celebrated its first birthday), The Shakespeare has nonetheless built itself a solid reputation for holding a great quiz. Hosted by Linguist Laura, it tests what you have stored in the back of your brain with some tricky questions, and also has a round of Play Your Cards Right for a cash prize. There are a range of other prizes too, including “crisp tapas” for your team.
Takes place every last Tuesday of the month from September to May, with an entry fee of £2.50 per person. Start time is 7.30pm. DM the Shakespeare on Instagram or ask at the bar to book.
For the bookworms amongst you, the Shakespeare will be hosting a literary quiz as part of this year's Margate Bookie festival on Wednesday, October 8.
Churchill Tavern, Ramsgate
Always a sell out, this quiz is known for being a lot of fun but very difficult. The winning team gets the glory, but not necessarily the cash prize. In order to keep things interesting, the team name that’s pulled out of a hat at the end of the night gets the money. There are other spot cash prizes through the night.
This is another weekly one, taking place every Monday. Entry is £2 per person. Starts at 8pm but turn up early to ensure you get a table. Follow the Churchill Tavern on Facebook.
George & Heart, Margate
The George & Heart’s doesn't quite run monthly currently, so it's worth keeping an eye on the pub's website. There will be trivia, of course, but your brain will also be tested with various weird games where you can win bonus prizes. If that’s all too much for you, you can just admire host Owain’s lovely, sparkly gold jacket.
Currently there are two quiz nights booked in - an autumn edition on Wednesday, October 8 and a Christmas special on Wednesday December 10. It costs £2 per person to enter. Check the George & Heart website for other dates.
Queen's Head, Ramsgate
"The" Andy Mack's Live Music Quiz tours all over Kent and can be found in Thanet at the Queen's Head pub. Not your standard quiz, this one comes with digital keypads and multiple choice questions. It also has merch and loyalty cards, because people do keep coming back. Musician Andy keeps everything rolling with over the top flair.
The night of the month that it takes place is changeable, so keep an eye on social media for dates. Entry is £5 per person, which gets you some nibbles as well as your seat. The pub also serves curries to those seeking more brain fuel. Follow Andy Mack on Facebook.
Mind the Gap, Broadstairs
This railway themed micropub on Broadstairs High Street (fittingly, up towards the train station) opens up for its quiz every other Tuesday. So not just a fun night out, but one on a night of the week where Thanet is generally a bit dead. If you just fancy a pint, non-quizzers are also welcome.
Takes place on alternate Tuesdays, kicking off at 7.30pm. Entry is £2 per person. No booking required, but tables are limited. Follow Mind the Gap on Facebook.
Tap Room, Cliftonville
We said the Xylo quiz was a must for music fans, but if we put you off by pointing out that there would be questions about other things too, then the Tap Music Quiz is the one for you. It’s all music all the time. Think you know music? Well, here’s where you’re going to find out.
This one happens on the last Thursday of the month all year, starting at 7.30pm. Entry is £2 per person, with all proceeds donated to War Child. DM the Tap Room on Instagram to book.
Little Swift, Margate
A really fun one that works slightly differently to others. The scoring system allows each team to double their points for one round - but only if they win that round. It can propel a team to victory or leave them lagging behind, building some real jeopardy into the night.
Takes place on the first Thursday of the month (except August) at 7pm. £3 per person. The winning team gets their bar tab on the house. Spot prizes also given out through the night. Check the Little Swift website for details.
