Think you’ve got a head full of random facts and a competitive streak to match? Perfect. We’ve quizzed around and rounded up all the trivia nights across Greater Des Moines, serving up brainpower, banter, and plenty of bragging rights. From neighborhood bars to local breweries, expect weekly rounds of pop culture, sports, and those “I should know this” moments, plus prizes that make it all worth it. Grab your crew and get in the game.
*FYI: Sporcle is a popular nationwide trivia platform that is used in bars and restaurants across the country where participants can use their phones or computers to submit answers.
**Click on the hyperlinked name of each place to get more details on each trivia night.
Altoona
Monday
Hawk Heaven Tavern
Address: 805 17th Ave SW, Altoona
Time: 7 p.m.
Over in Altoona, Hawk Heaven Tavern hosts a weekly Monday DJ trivia night open to the public. Best part? It’s Mule Mondays, so grab a $5 flavored mule of your choice!
Tuesday
Sam’s Bar & Grill
Address: 3160 8th St SW Suite P, Altoona
Time: 7 p.m.
If you can’t get enough of DJ trivia, or want to try it out, head over to Sam’s Bar & Grill on Tuesdays, grab a pint, and order a burger to pair with it.
Wednesday
Brightside Aleworks
Address: 480 Center Pl d, Altoona
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Hosted by Yeti House Entertainment, it’s pub quiz night at Brightside. Grab a pint from the brewery and check out the food truck for some grub.
Ankeny
Tuesday
The Yankee Clipper
Address: 312 SW Maple St #2915, Ankeny
Time: 8 p.m.
Need a late evening trivia? No worries! The Yankee Clipper in Ankeny has trivia starting at 8 p.m., so grab dinner before (or make it a late one) and settle in for a few late-night rounds. Pro tip: that’s also Taco Tuesday, home to one of Des Best Tacos around!
Wednesday
Uptown Garage
Address: 305 SW Walnut St, Ankeny
Time: 6 p.m.
Wednesdays are King Trivia nights at Uptown Garage Brewing in Ankeny. Enjoy happy hour specials all night long!
Bondurant
Thursday
Reclaimed Rails
Address: 101 Main St SE, Bondurant
Time: 7 p.m.
Head to Bondurant for a trivia night (that some locals claim to be one of the best) open to everyone. Whether you’re playing one night only or want to join the league, Reclaimed Rails is your spot.
Des Moines
Monday
Goodsons Food & Spirits
Address: 2815 Beaver Ave, Des Moines
Time: 7 p.m.
This classic Beaverdale bar hosts DJ Trivia every Monday night. Come by early to grab some happy hour deals like $1 off bottles/cans/draws, $4 off domestic pitchers, $.50 off wells, and $1 off appetizers.
Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe
Address: 300 SW 5th Street, Suite A150, Des Moines
Time: 7 p.m.
“Geeks Who Drink” pub quiz is every week at Rook Room with seven rounds of eight questions, including an audio and visual round to keep things interesting.
Tuesday
Captain Roy’s
Address: 1900 Saylor Rd, Des Moines
Time: 6 p.m.
Every Tuesday, Captain Roy’s hosts a trivia night with various categories from sports and science to music and food. Want a leg up on the competition? Watch their Facebook page for day-of updates on categories for that night’s trivia!
Truman’s KC Pizza Tavern
Address: 400 SE 6th St, Des Moines
Time: 7 p.m.
Truman’s is hosting Sporcle Trivia on Tuesdays, a nationwide trivia where teams compete in a variety of unique rounds in general knowledge questions.
Wellman’s Pub on Ingersoll
Address: 2920 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines
Time: 7 p.m.
Test your general knowledge at Wellman’s on Ingersoll, including 2 for 1 drinks after 9 p.m., and prizes awarded after every round.
Mad Meatball
Address: 210 SW 11th St, Des Moines
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where Taco Tuesday and trivia meet, Mad Meatball is offering $20 large taco pizzas and $4 Mexican beers during trivia.
Wednesday
Court Avenue Brewing
Address: 309 Court Ave, Des Moines
Time: 7 p.m.
Check out Court Avenue Brewing’s trivia nights on Wednesdays but come early to get some good happy hour deals like $5 brews, $6 classic mules, and ½ price pizza!
Truman’s KC Pizza Tavern (Music Trivia)
Address: 400 SE 6th St, Des Moines
Time: 7 p.m.
The second of two trivia nights at Truman’s KC Pizza Tavern is Music Trivia, where teams compete to “guess that song” and other music-related questions.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
Address: 300 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy Suite 120, Des Moines
Time: 7 p.m.
Another Sporcle trivia spot, Fuzzy’s off of MLK Parkway has free trivia open to newcomers and experienced pub quizzers.
Thursday
Exile Brewing
Address: 1514 Walnut St, Des Moines
Time: 6 p.m.
If you're downtown, don’t miss Exile’s trivia nights on Thursdays with a happy hour of $4.50 pints before the games begin.
Royal Mile
Address: 210 4th St., Des Moines
Time: 8 p.m.
Play “Geeks Who Drink” trivia upstairs at the Royal Mile every Thursday night! Grab yourself a cheeky pint and get those gears turning.
Friday
Felix & Oscar’s
Address: 4050 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines
Time: 7 p.m. & 8 p.m.
It’s a night of doubleheader trivia at Felix and Oscars off of Merle Hay! With two rounds of trivia, you double your chances of winning a prize.
Grimes
Monday
Uptown Bar & Grill
Address: 201 SE Main St, Grimes
Time: 7 p.m.
This neighborhood bar packs a punch with DJ Trivia every Monday, including all day happy hour ($.50 off wells and domestics, plus $1 off mules) and a special on white cheddar mac and cheese.
Johnston
Wednesday
Backpocket Pin & Pixel
Address: 6205 Merle Hay Rd Suite 100, Johnston
Time: 6 p.m.
Bring your coworkers, family, friends, or all of the above to Backpocket in Johnston for Wednesday trivia! Take advantage of their weekday special of $22 for ten wings and five flights of beer to keep you going all night.
Urbandale
Tuesday
Tito’s Lounge
Address: 3916 NW Urbandale Dr, Urbandale
Time: 7 p.m.
Every Tuesday night, Tito’s Lounge hosts trivia night with a twist. What’s the twist? It’s Taco Tuesday, of course! Get special street tacos and margaritas while you test your trivia knowledge.
Waukee
Thursday
Mickey’s Irish Pub
Address: 50 SE Laurel St., Waukee
Time: 7 p.m.
Trivia is always better with a pint of Guinness, and what better way to do so than at Mickey’s Irish Pub?
The Kee Bar & Grill
Address: 360 6th St., Waukee
Time: 7 p.m.
For a more lowkey vibe, check out The Kee’s trivia on Thursday nights with 1st and 2nd place winners every week.
West Des Moines
Monday
Smash Park
Address: 6625 Coachlight Dr, West Des Moines
Time: 7 p.m.
Sporcle Trivia is at Smash Park every Monday night in West Des Moines. Join in on answering general knowledge questions along with a couple of heavy hitters to keep you guessing.
False 9 Social Club
Address: 206 5th St, West Des Moines
Time: 7 p.m.
It’s pie day and trivia night at False 9! Get $10 pies and head over early to snag a $5 mule until 6 p.m.
Wednesday
Bevy’s Tavern
Address: 1300 50th St Suite 206, West Des Moines
Time: 7 p.m.
Play six rounds of trivia with prizes awarded after each round AND be considered for a Top 3 prize spot if your team is playing well. While you’re there, snag $6 mugs of domestic drafts and BOGO appetizers all night long.
Smash Park (Themed Trivia)
Address: 6625 Coachlight Dr, West Des Moines
Time: 7 p.m.
Know a little too much about a pop culture phenomenon? Every Wednesday, Smash Park rotates through themed trivia nights to bring in fans to test their knowledge over popular tv shows, movies, and more.
Windsor Heights
Monday
Centerfield Sports Bar
Address: 6555 University Ave, Windsor Heights
Time: 7 p.m.
If trivia itself isn’t enough to get you in the door, it’s also Chop Night at Centerfield where you can get a 12 oz. Iowa Chop steak, cheesy potatoes, and jalapeno creamed corn for only $12!
Wednesday
The Ridgemont
Address: 7460 Hickman Rd, Windsor Heights
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Head over early to snag some drink specials (aka liquid luck) at The Ridgemont in Windsor Heights, with general trivia to follow!
