How to Make a Good Trivia Night a GREAT Trivia Night
So you think you have a good trivia night? Sure, maybe you do. However, now it’s time to take the next step and make your trivia night unforgettably, amazingly, can’t-miss-it, GREAT!
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of talking with hundreds of bar owners, trivia teams, and trivia hosts, who have shared the best parts of trivia for bars. I will now divulge the top 3 best ways to turn a good trivia night into a great trivia night. Shh! Don’t tell anyone!
If you’re ready to make the leap from “pretty good” to “packed every week,” check out Last Call Bar Pros—we help bars nationwide build consistent, profitable trivia nights with marketing support and proven systems.
1. Think outside the box.
Do something different and unexpected. Offer jello shots to the team closest on the bonus question. Give away a free dessert, appetizer, or round of drinks if a team guesses the bonus answer exactly right. Have a dance contest or costume contest. Have your own mini-league in-house. Have “minute to win it” contests during halftime.
In other words, set yourselves apart from other bars. Teams will love it and come back to see what you’re doing next.
It’s that easy! Staff involvement, great prizes, and thinking outside the box will give you the edge and transform your trivia night.
Need help keeping your night fresh every week? The Resources Hub from Last Call Bar Pros includes free promo templates, WOMP™ flyers, and creative ideas that make your trivia nights stand out.
2. Give away GREAT prizes.
I know it may seem like an unneeded expense, but giving away gift cards as prizes is actually pretty genius. Giving away gift cards encourages the winning teams to return to your venue—whether next week for trivia or at another time—establishing repeat clientele, and eventually regulars.
Additionally, venues that give out bar swag, t-shirts, and candy are at the risk of losing teams to a venue that gives away more desired prizes. Don’t be cheap when it comes to prizes.
Want to see what top-performing bars give away (and why it works)? Last Call Bar Pros’ Trivia System includes guidance on weekly prize structures that build loyalty while boosting tabs.
3. Get the staff involved.
Consider having a “house team” made up of servers, bartenders, and other staff. If the house team places in the top 3, their gift card prize can roll over and be added onto the next week’s first-place prize.
This not only creates a fun competition between bar staff and patrons but also creates a fun, new twist on the games. Plus, the staff will have fun, talk about it to their friends and other patrons, and build even more business.
Pro tip: Keep the energy alive with WOMP™, the Word-of-Mouth Promotion System from Last Call Bar Pros. It helps your staff and customers spread the word organically—turning every night into your best advertisement.
Ready to make your good trivia night great? Partner with Last Call Bar Pros for professional game content, built-in marketing tools, and lifetime support that help bars pack the house week after week.
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