How to host a pub quiz: a practical guide and 12 questions

A good pub quiz gives people a reason to gather, work together and come back for another round. You do not need a complicated format: a welcoming host, a clear score sheet and a mix of approachable questions can turn a quiet evening into a sociable one.

Plan the evening

1. Choose a time and format. Tell guests when the quiz starts, how teams join and whether it is free or has an entry fee. Check any venue rules and legal requirements before offering prizes or charging entry.
2. Pick varied rounds. Try general knowledge, geography, science and a local-interest round. Aim for questions that different ages and interests can enjoy, and check every answer before the night.
3. Set the rules. Agree on team size, whether phones may be used for research, the time for answers and how ties are settled. Read the rules aloud before the first question.
4. Make it welcoming. Speak clearly, repeat questions when needed, plan breaks and make room for anyone who wants to join a team.

12 pub quiz questions

Try these as a short warm-up. Read the questions first and keep the answer list out of sight until the reveal.

1. What is the capital city of Wales?
2. Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
3. What is the largest ocean on Earth?
4. Which river flows through Paris?
5. What is the chemical symbol for gold?
6. How many sides does a hexagon have?
7. Which country is home to the ancient city of Petra?
8. What is the largest mammal on Earth?
9. Which instrument has 88 keys in its standard modern form?
10. What is the name of the process plants use to make food using light?
11. Which continent contains the Sahara Desert?
12. What is the square root of 144?

Show the answers

1. Cardiff
2. Mars
3. Pacific Ocean
4. The Seine
5. Au
6. Six
7. Jordan
8. Blue whale
9. Piano
10. Photosynthesis
11. Africa
12. 12

A simple running order

Allow a few minutes for teams to settle and hear the rules. Run two short rounds, take a break, then finish with another round and a tie-breaker. Give one point per correct answer unless you explain a different scoring system in advance. Announce the scores between rounds and resolve disputed answers consistently.

Using GroupGames for quiz night

Host Quiz Together with ready-made packs and individual scores in a group room. Medium and Large subscriptions also include custom quizzes; Large includes a host-led team pub quiz in which each team uses one device. Each device, including the host's, counts towards the room limit.

Use the sample questions above with paper or your own score sheet, or explore the quiz options in GroupGames. Check your venue's connectivity and let guests know whether they need a device.

Explore pub quiz plansTry Quiz Together