Serious trivia: Where to flex your brain around town in October

By Zach Hagadone
Reader Staff

When it comes to Sandpoint trivia nights, MickDuff’s Brewing Company is the sine qua non of the scene. The brewpub at 312 N. First Ave. has hosted its trivia night Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. for a little over 13 years. 

Helmed by co-owner, brewing director and trivia master Mickey Mahoney, MickDuff’s trivia has maintained a loyal cadre of participants who compete more for the love of the game than prizes — though a gift card for the winners and bonus questions for free pitchers of beer don’t hurt.

“Some of the teams have been playing weekly for years,” said Mahoney, who spends about six hours every week curating the questions.  

“My favorite questions are ones with answers that are so interesting that people will remember them,” he said. 

The next MickDuff’s trivia night takes place Tuesday, Oct. 8 with teams of up to six — or compete solo for more glory.

Those out Hope way enjoy trivia and happy hour on the third Tuesday of every month at Davis Grocery and Mercantile, 620 Wellington Place. Hosted from 5-6:30 p.m., teams and individuals have been squaring off since June with the next installment set for Tuesday, Oct. 15.

“So far, we’ve had American history, movie trivia, even a Game of Thrones one. For our general ones though, it’s a mixture of geography, history, pop culture and random to keep it fair,” said co-owner Jamie Davis. 

Prizes vary, but have included coffee mugs, free latte or coffee coupons, glasses of wine or beer, and a taco dinner for two.

For those who can’t wait until Oct. 15, a special Kids Trivia event is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 11, which Davis said is being created by her 8- and 10-year-old kids.

“It should be super cute and fun,” she said.

The third Thursday of each month, local nonprofit startup REturn REtreats hosts More Than A Woman Trivia at The Back Door, 111 Cedar St. 

With The Back Door donating 25% of sales and a $5 suggested donation at the door, the event raises awareness and funds for REturn REtreats, which provides “restorative retreat experiences to women and financial support to three local nonprofits,” according to founder Katie Begalke. It also pushes back against the perception that such events aren’t for women. 

“I have heard countless women tell me, ‘I am not smart, trivia is too intimidating or can I bring my husband, he has the brains for trivia,’” Begalke said. “I want women to feel empowered, relaxed and open to learning.”

The questions, compiled by host Begalke, are female-
focused and themed around a woman from history. She even dresses as the given historical figure and provides a short history lesson. Players receive raffle tickets depending on how well their table performs and all tickets are entered to win three prizes donated by community businesses or individuals.

“Everyone has a chance to leave a winner,” Begalke said.

The Thursday, Oct. 17 event marks four months for More Than A Woman Trivia and features Begalke as Joan of Arc quizzing attendees on the themes “witchy women, terrifying tunes, spooktacular facts and horror movies.”

Finally, the Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., has hosted Trivia Takeover Live with Linda Preston the last Thursday of every month for a year. Preston brings videos, music and new questions to each event, with gift cards and bottles of wine as prizes. The action runs 6-8 p.m. 

Come early for dinner, pour out some vino and settle in challenged you brain on Thursday, Oct. 24.