Forget watching “Family Feud” or “Jeopardy!” on television. New York City has real-life game shows that will keep you thinking — and drinking — until the wee hours of the morning. Here are some places to check out the next time you want to give your brain a nighttime workout.
W’burg Spelling Bee
Pete’s Candy Store
709 Lorimer St., between
Richardson and Frost streets,Williamsburg, Brooklyn
718-302-3770
petescandystore.com
Every other Monday, signup: 7 p.m., bee: 7:30 p.m.
Free
Want to prove you can spell just as well as those kids on TV? Go to Pete’s Candy Store and stand up to the mike — if you dare. This bimonthly event is a great chance for you to avenge that fifth-grade spelling bee defeat, though unlike fifth grade you aren’t eliminated until you spell three words wrong. Also unlike fifth grade, you will be spelling while slightly buzzed. You can continue that buzz trend by winning a free bar tab.
Smart Ass Rock & Roll Trivia
Pianos
158 Ludlow St., between Stanton and Rivington streets
212-505-3733
www.pianosnyc.com
Mondays, 7:30 p.m.
Free
Think you know your music? Here is your chance to prove it by testing your knowledge of all things rock ’n’ roll at this LES favorite. Host Todd Satterfield tries to not make the questions too obtuse, so you won’t leave thinking you know nothing about music, but you may leave with free drinks if you come out on top of the three-round contest.
Quiz Night at Crocodile Lounge
Crocodile Lounge
325 E. 14th St., between First and Second avenues
212-477-7747
Wednesdays, 8:30 p.m.
Free
Host of one of the most popular trivia nights in the city (sometimes up to 30 teams compete), this small bar with no air conditioning can get hot in a hurry. People put up with the cramped conditions for two good reasons: the $75 bar tab for the winning team and the free pizza for every drink you order. That’s right, with every drink you order. Think of how many that is with a $75 bar tab!
Gameshow Speakeasy
The Fortune Cookie Cabaret at Lucky Cheng’s
24 First Ave., between First and Second streets
212-473-0516
gameshowspeakeasy.com
Third Thursday of every month, 8 p.m.
$5
Like a live edition of the board game “Guess Who?” a panel of NYC nightlife’s big guns attempt to guess the identity of a mystery guest (past stars have included Martha Plimpton, Zach Galifianakis and Mo Rocca). Burlesque star Clams Casino and Neil O’Fortune host.
Chelsea Mind Games
Chelsea Market
75 Ninth Ave., between 15th and 16th streets
212-727-1111
www.chelseamindgames.com
Wednesdays, 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Free
On Wednesdays at Chelsea Market, you’ll find happy-hour competitions on everything from spelling to trivia to math to vocabulary. Comedian and writer Jennifer Dziura hosts these evenings, which also feature musical performances. If you can’t round up a group of friends, head over solo and join a group for team trivia and see if you can win prizes such as tickets to Comix Comedy Club.
Drunken Smartass Olympics
Dempsey’s Pub
61 Second Ave., between Third and Fourth streets
212-388-0662
Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.
Two-drink minimum
Covering the spectrum from current events to literature to fashion to pop culture, this is one hopping trivia night. Comedian Janet Rosen and songwriter Tony Hightower host, and prizes range from books to Broadway tickets and dinner for two. But, hey, it’s all about having fun, right? Oh, and beer.
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