Beat the Winter Blues with a local quiz night

When the long, cold nights of winter set in, it's tempting to go into hibernation mode.

A comfortable couch and warm living room make it easy to put social plans on hold until spring.

But there are still plenty of ways to connect with friends, and the simplest one might be attending a local quiz night.

“Quiz nights have been around forever and it seems like nearly everyone's doing one,” says Reform Distilling owner Jed Coffey.

“But they're still popular because it's an easy way for people to get together and catch up with friends in the middle of the week.

You don't have to think too hard about what you're going to do – you can just have a drink and enjoy yourself.”

The Kent Town distillery hosts all types of events, from birthday parties and professional networking events to paint and sip sessions.

But the monthly quiz nights have become so popular that Jed encourages people to book ahead (for free).

Mixing classic trivia with pop culture questions ensures everyone has a chance to contribute, and the teams with a mix of ages and interests tend to perform the best.

“So we get groups of friends, but we also get families coming in,” says Jed.

“A lot of people invite their adult children because they know there will be questions about 2020s pop stars and reality TV that somebody in their forties can't answer.”

But the biggest selling point of quiz nights might be the phones-off rule that prevents cheating.

At a time when so much of our communication comes through a screen, quiz nights are an opportunity to spend a few hours genuinely connecting with old friends and making new ones.

It's why you'll find quiz nights all across the Norwood, Payneham & St Peters council area.

At Payneham Tavern, the weekly quiz nights are hosted by South Australian comedians who deliver a distinctly local flavour.

The popular pen-free quiz night (with electronic buzzers) is also a key part of the weekly calendar at the Alma Tavern.

And while lucky winners will be rewarded with a bottle of gin at Reform or $100 vouchers and drinks prizes at the pubs, it's not just the winning teams that walk away feeling satisfied.

"Quiz nights are about much more than testing your general knowledge,” says venue manager Karl Cornel.

“They're about bringing people together.

During winter it's easy to stay home, so we love creating a reason for friends, families and workmates to get out, share a meal, have a laugh and enjoy a bit of friendly competition."

Whether you're chasing bragging rights, looking for a midweek catch-up or simply searching for an excuse to leave the house this winter, a local quiz night might just be the perfect answer.