Last Updated: January 12, 2026
Ottawa’s pub quiz scene rivals any city in Canada, with over 25 bars and restaurants hosting weekly trivia nights from Monday through Sunday across every major neighbourhood in the capital.
Whether you’re looking to show off your obscure knowledge about Canadian history, test your pop culture prowess, or simply enjoy a pint with friends while competing for prizes, Ottawa’s trivia scene has something for everyone. The city’s trivia culture centres around the Ottawa Trivia League (OTL), founded in 1998 by trivia master Paul Paquet, which organizes competitions across the capital region. From casual Monday nights at your neighbourhood pub to the legendary World Trivia Night—Canada’s largest live trivia contest—Ottawa offers options for every knowledge level and competitive spirit.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Ottawa has 25+ weekly trivia nights across every neighbourhood. Most start between 7-8 PM, are free to enter, and offer prizes like bar tabs and gift cards. The Ottawa Trivia League runs the most popular events, with Irene’s Pub (Tuesdays) and Royal Oak locations being local favourites.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Best Nights | Tuesday and Wednesday |
| 📍 Most Options | ByWard Market, Glebe, Downtown |
| 🎟️ Entry Cost | Free at most venues |
| ⏰ Typical Start Time | 7:00-8:00 PM |
| 🏆 Prizes | Bar tabs, gift cards, trophies |
| 👥 Team Size | 2-6 people typical |
Monday Trivia Nights
Monday trivia at Royal Oak Barrhaven draws regulars looking to start the week with friendly competition.
Monday might seem like an unusual night for trivia, but Ottawa has several quality options to help shake off the weekend cobwebs.
Royal Oak Barrhaven
- Address: 3500 Fallowfield Rd, Barrhaven
- Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
- Format: General knowledge with half-price wings
- Phone: 613-825-0999
- Tips: Reservations recommended as this location fills up quickly
Lowertown Brewery
- Address: 73 York St, ByWard Market
- Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Format: General knowledge trivia
- Tips: Great craft beer selection makes this a popular after-work spot. Check their social media for registration details.
Algonquin College Observatory
- Address: 1385 Woodroffe Ave, Building E114
- Time: Varies by semester
- Format: Pub-style general knowledge
- Team Size: Maximum 6 people
- Eligibility: At least one team member must be Algonquin student, staff, faculty, or alumni
- Cost: Free for eligible participants
Tuesday Trivia Nights
Irene’s Pub on Bank Street is considered the gold standard for Tuesday trivia in Ottawa.
Tuesday is the busiest night for trivia in Ottawa, with multiple venues running Ottawa Trivia League events.
Irene’s Pub (The Glebe)
- Address: 885 Bank St, Glebe
- Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Format: Ottawa Trivia League general knowledge
- Phone: 613-230-4474
- Tips: First-come, first-served seating with no reservations accepted. Arrive 30-45 minutes early for a good table. This is widely considered Ottawa’s premier trivia night.
Pour Boy Pub (Chinatown)
- Address: 495 Somerset St W, Chinatown
- Time: Two seatings - 6:30 PM-8:00 PM and 8:30 PM-10:00 PM
- Format: Ottawa Trivia League
- Phone: 613-695-7687
- Tips: Call after 4:00 PM on game day to reserve a spot. No cover charge.
Clocktower Brew Pub (Rideau Street)
- Address: 140 Rideau St, Downtown
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Format: General knowledge trivia
- Phone: 613-562-4878
- Tips: Multiple Clocktower locations participate—call to confirm the schedule at your preferred location.
Atomic Rooster (Centretown)
- Address: 303 Bank St, Centretown
- Time: Evening (specific time varies)
- Format: Ottawa Trivia League
- Phone: 613-569-1000
- Hours: Monday-Tuesday 4:00 PM-2:00 AM, Wednesday-Friday 12:00 PM-2:00 AM
Wednesday Trivia Nights
Wednesday nights offer trivia options across Ottawa’s suburbs, from Barrhaven to Orléans.
Wednesday offers excellent options in the suburbs, making it easier for those outside the downtown core to find a nearby trivia night.
Royal Oak Barrhaven
- Address: 3500 Fallowfield Rd, Barrhaven
- Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
- Format: Second weekly trivia session (different from Monday)
- Phone: 613-825-0999
Royal Oak Orléans
- Address: 1981 St. Joseph Blvd, Orléans
- Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
- Format: Ottawa Trivia League
- Phone: 613-834-0222
- Tips: Great option for east-end residents. For more things to do in the area, check our Orléans neighbourhood guide.
Royal Oak Hunt Club
- Address: 800 Hunt Club Rd, South Ottawa
- Time: 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
- Format: Ottawa Trivia League
- Phone: 613-737-7777
Beyond the Pale Brewing
- Address: 1083-250 City Centre Ave, Bay 4, Little Italy
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Format: General knowledge with craft beer
- Tips: Popular with younger demographics. Their outdoor patio is excellent in warmer months.
Thursday Trivia Nights
The Clocktower Brew Pub chain hosts Thursday trivia at multiple locations across Ottawa.
Thursday nights offer solid options for mid-week trivia enthusiasts, particularly at Clocktower locations.
Clocktower Brew Pub (Multiple Locations)
- Locations: Westboro, New Edinburgh, and others
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Format: Rotating themes and general knowledge
- Tips: Check the specific location for their schedule
The Lieutenant’s Pump (Elgin Street)
- Address: 361 Elgin St, Centretown
- Time: Evening trivia
- Format: Ottawa Trivia League
- Phone: 613-238-2949
- Hours: Monday-Tuesday 4:30 PM-1:00 AM, Wednesday-Saturday 11:00 AM-2:00 AM
- Tips: Classic Ottawa pub atmosphere. Perfect if you’re already downtown for happy hour.
Friday Trivia Nights
Playback Games Bar offers competitive trivia with substantial prizes on Friday nights.
Friday trivia tends to be more competitive, with venues like Playback Games Bar attracting serious quiz teams.
Playback Games Bar
- Address: 1860 Bank St #3A, South Keys
- Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM (arrive by 7:15 PM)
- Format: More challenging trivia with substantial prizes
- Age: 19+ only
- Email: info@playbackottawa.ca
- Tips: Known for competitive play and larger prizes than most venues. Regular teams come prepared.
Ten Toes on Somerset
- Location: Somerset St W
- Time: 7:30 PM
- Format: General knowledge
- Tips: Popular with the downtown crowd. Cozy café atmosphere.
Whiprsnapr Brewing (Bells Corners)
- Address: 5 Hamilton Ave N, Bells Corners
- Time: Monthly themed trivia (dates vary)
- Format: Themed trivia including The Simpsons
- Tips: Check their website for the monthly schedule. Great for fans of themed trivia nights.
Weekend Trivia
Level One Game Pub combines board games, video games, and trivia in the heart of the ByWard Market.
While weekends are lighter for trivia, a few venues still offer quality options.
Level One Game Pub (Saturday)
- Address: 14 Waller St, ByWard Market
- Time: Afternoon/evening sessions
- Format: Gaming-themed trivia
- Phone: 613-695-7529
- Hours: Monday 4:00 PM-12:00 AM, Friday 2:00 PM-2:00 AM, Saturday 12:00 PM-2:00 AM, Sunday 12:00 PM-12:00 AM
- Tips: Combine trivia with board games or retro video games. Great for a unique date night or group outing.
Royal Oak Wellington West (Sunday)
- Address: 1217 Wellington St W, Hintonburg
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Format: Ottawa Trivia League
- Phone: 613-722-7825
- Tips: Perfect way to wrap up the weekend. The Hintonburg area has plenty of dinner options beforehand.
World Trivia Night: Ottawa’s Biggest Quiz Event
World Trivia Night attracts over 1,000 participants competing for charity.
The crown jewel of Ottawa’s trivia calendar is World Trivia Night, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025. This is Canada’s largest live trivia contest, attracting over 1,000 participants competing in teams of 10.
Event Details:
- Date: Late November (typically last Friday)
- Location: Rogers Centre, Ottawa
- Time: Pre-trivia activation stations at 5:30 PM, trivia starts at 7:00 PM
- Team Size: 10 people
- Fundraising Requirements: Champion Team minimum of $1,600 or Regular Team minimum of $700
- Prizes: Trong Nguyen Memorial Trophy, gift cards, raffles, live auctions
The event features Paul Paquet as Trivia Master—he’s written questions for Who Wants to be a Millionaire and runs the Trivia Hall of Fame website. Past winning teams have raised between $3,184 and $5,986 for the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa.
Trivia by Neighbourhood
Downtown & Centretown
- The Royal Oak (Kent Street): 180 Kent St, 613-422-8269
- Atomic Rooster: 303 Bank St, 613-569-1000
- St. Louis Bar and Grill (Elgin Street): 399 Elgin St, 613-231-1116
ByWard Market
- Level One Game Pub: 14 Waller St, 613-695-7529
- Lowertown Brewery: 73 York St, 613-562-4878
For more ByWard Market activities, see our complete ByWard Market guide.
Glebe & Old Ottawa South
- Irene’s Pub: 885 Bank St, 613-230-4474 (Tuesdays 7:00-9:00 PM)
Westboro & Hintonburg
- Royal Oak Wellington West: 1217 Wellington St W, 613-722-7825 (Sundays 7:00 PM)
- Clocktower Brew Pub Westboro: 418 Richmond Rd, 613-722-2955 (Thursdays)
Barrhaven
- Royal Oak Barrhaven: 3500 Fallowfield Rd, 613-825-0999 (Mondays 6:30 PM, Wednesdays 7:30 PM)
Orléans
- Royal Oak Orléans: 1981 St. Joseph Blvd (Wednesdays 7:30 PM)
Tips for Trivia Success
The best trivia teams bring diverse knowledge and a positive attitude.
Build a Balanced Team: Aim for 4-6 people with diverse knowledge areas. You want someone who knows sports, someone for pop culture, a history buff, and ideally someone who stays current on news and science.
Arrive Early: Popular venues like Irene’s Pub fill up fast. Arriving 30-45 minutes before start time ensures a good table and lets you order food and drinks before the chaos begins.
Bring Cash: While most venues take cards, cash tips for your server are appreciated, and some prize systems work better with cash.
Don’t Overthink: Your first instinct is often correct. Trivia veterans know that second-guessing leads to wrong answers more often than right ones.
Have Fun: The best teams enjoy themselves regardless of the score. The social aspect of trivia is just as important as winning.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to register in advance for pub trivia?
Most Ottawa trivia nights are drop-in, meaning you can just show up. However, popular venues like Irene’s Pub fill quickly, so arrive early. Some venues like Pour Boy allow same-day reservations by calling after 4:00 PM.
Q: How much does trivia cost?
Entry is free at nearly all Ottawa trivia nights. Venues make money from food and drink sales, so buying a few pints is expected but not mandatory. Specialty events like World Trivia Night have fundraising requirements.
Q: What if I don’t have a team?
Solo trivia enthusiasts are welcome at most venues. Arrive early and let the host know you’re looking to join a team—many groups are happy to add someone with fresh knowledge. Some venues specifically welcome singles.
Q: What kind of questions are asked?
Ottawa Trivia League nights typically cover general knowledge spanning history, geography, pop culture, sports, science, and current events. Themed nights at venues like Whiprsnapr focus on specific topics like The Simpsons or music decades.
Q: How long do trivia nights last?
Most sessions run 90 minutes to 2 hours, including breaks between rounds. Plan for about 2 hours total including arrival and final scores.
Q: Are kids allowed at trivia nights?
Most trivia nights take place in licensed establishments and are 19+ only. Family-friendly trivia events occasionally happen at libraries or community centres—check your local OPL branch for options.
Q: What prizes can I win?
Typical prizes include bar tabs ($25-$100), gift cards, and bragging rights. Competitive venues like Playback Games Bar offer more substantial prizes. World Trivia Night awards a trophy and supports charity.
Q: Is trivia only in English?
Most Ottawa trivia is conducted in English. For French-language options, check venues in Hull/Gatineau or ask specific pubs if they host bilingual nights.
Final Thoughts
Ottawa’s trivia scene offers something for everyone, from casual Monday evening quizzes to the intensity of competitive Friday nights. The Ottawa Trivia League has built a robust network of weekly events, ensuring you can find a pub quiz in nearly every neighbourhood on any given night.
For first-timers, Tuesday at Irene’s Pub remains the gold standard—just arrive early and be prepared for a packed house. Suburban residents will find excellent options at the various Royal Oak locations, while craft beer enthusiasts should check out Beyond the Pale or Lowertown Brewery.
Remember, the best trivia teams aren’t always the smartest—they’re the ones having the most fun. Grab some friends, pick a venue, and test your knowledge. Who knows? You might end up competing for the Trong Nguyen Memorial Trophy at next year’s World Trivia Night.
Looking for other social activities in Ottawa? Check out our guides to happy hours, live music venues, and comedy clubs.
