Going out to eat with friends for some delicious food and drinks is one of the most common ways to catch up after time apart. But for those looking to add a twist to a regular routine, going to a trivia night at a local bar can bring out the group’s competitive edge. Keep reading a list of Montclair + Essex County trivia and game nights to test that competitive streak.

Montclair

Alto | 690 Bloomfield Avenue

Game lovers can visit Alto, part of The MC Hotel, at its rooftop bar that has both indoor and outdoor seating. While enjoying the views of the NYC skyline, visitors can partake in themed trivia nights on Wednesdays at 7PM and Sundays at 1PM during brunch. Alto has hosted Disney Movie Trivia, Taylor Swift Trivia, Wicked Trivia, and more in the past. See Eventbrite for the upcoming trivia themes.

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Bareburger | 480 Bloomfield Avenue

The health-conscious and sustainable burger joint Bareburger hosts trivia night once a month on Tuesdays, typically around 7:30PM. Locals can enjoy burgers and bring their own drinks while playing a round or two. The trivia nights are presented by Trivia AD, and the company posts the month's theme on its website closer to the date. See this link for future trivia nights.

The Eclectic Chic Boutique | 547 Bloomfield Avenue

The Eclectic Chic Boutique is the Montclair residents' go-to spot for handmade, locally sourced, and small-batch goods. The boutique also hosts various events almost daily, such as DIY workshops, classes, and occasional game nights. To keep up with upcoming game nights at this spot, visit its event calendar.

Egan + Sons | 118 Walnut Street

Egan and Sons hosts trivia nights on Tuesdays at 7PM for all locals to enjoy. Nights here are often themed, especially during the holiday season when the spot hosts Ugly Christmas Sweater Trivia. Keep an eye out for Egan + Sons' social media for upcoming trivia nights and themes.

Java Love | 49 Church Street

Whether uptown or downtown in Montclair, there is a cozy corner to enjoy a cup of joe at Java Love. While sipping on a fun beverage, locals can join the spot at its Church Street location for Offline Cafe: Game Night. This event, which takes place every Thursday from 6PM to 9PM, encourages guests to disconnect from their screens and spend the night playing games with other attendees.

Montclair Brewery | 101 Walnut Street

Montclair Brewery is a one-of-a-kind destination for beer lovers who also love supporting the community. Built on the ideals of creating a stronger community in Montclair, the brewery regularly hosts trivia and game nights throughout the year. The Brewery also hosts live performances almost every week. See this link for upcoming events.

Pineapple Express Barbeque | 1 Lackawanna Plaza

This Montclair BBQ spot hosts trivia night with Joe Trivia every Thursday at 8PM. This event is always free to play. Locals can win prizes while enjoying drinks and light bites. Plus, the entire menu of Pineapple Express Barbecue is gluten-free.

Wine + Design | 1 Greenwood Avenue Suite 101

Wine + Design is a BYOB space that hosts all kinds of events. Along with tons of DIY and crafty classes and gatherings, Wine + Design will occasionally host trivia or game nights throughout the year. In the past, this has included themed-events like a Friends trivia night. As of this writing, the upcoming trivia event is Fourth Wing Resin Art + Trivia Night, which takes place on June 10th at 7PM. See this link for more information.

Essex County

Cloverleaf Tavern | 395 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell

Photo Credit: Cloverleaf Tavern

The Cloverleaf Tavern is a great spot to meet up if you are looking for a casual place with classic bar food. The Tavern also regularly hosts trivia nights on Mondays at 8PM. For April, the themes include craft beer, Harry Potter, Disney movies, and Marvel Cinematic Universe. See this Facebook post for more details.

Cowan’s Public | 229 Centre Street, Nutley

Joe Trivia hosts a trivia night at 7PM every Tuesday at Cowan's Public. Plus, during happy hour, which is from 4PM-7PM from Monday to Friday, draft beer, wine, and house liquors are all marked down. Locals can test their knowledge while sipping on discounted drinks.

Grasshopper | 292 Grove Avenue, Cedar Grove

Photo Credit: Grasshopper

This family-run restaurant is a classic hang-out spot for locals with that classic small-town charm. Trivia night, hosted by Joe Trivia, is every Tuesday starting at 8:30PM. The bar also boasts a menu of Irish American classics that pair great with the extensive beer and cocktail menu.

Obal’s Inn | 439 Broad Street, Bloomfield

Locals can head to Obal’s Inn, a cozy Irish pub, for trivia night every Thursday at 8PM, hosted by Joe Trivia. This spot also has DJ nights and live music. See Obal Inn's Instagram for upcoming events.

Six Points Pub | 574 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield

This bar prides itself on creating cocktails that are perfect no matter who is walking through the door. Enjoy seasonal sips while participating in the bar’s trivia night. With rotating themes each week, teams compete to win prizes and listen to music every Tuesday at 7PM.

Town Pub of Bloomfield | 378 Broad Street, Bloomfield

The Town Pub has long roots of being a welcoming place for locals and visitors to expect good food and good company. The owners of the Town Pub have continued that legacy into today by hosting regular trivia nights on Wednesdays at 7PM.

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Verona Inn | 624 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona

The Historic Verona Inn, which has been operating since 1947, hosts weekly events for all Essex County locals. In addition to Taco Tuesdays, Wine Wednesdays, Ladies Night Thursdays, and Lazy Sundays, the spot hosts trivia night on Tuesdays at 8PM.