Pub Quiz Nights in London: Cheap Fun for Girls' Groups

London’s pub quiz nights aren’t just for trivia nerds or guys in rugby shirts. For girls’ groups looking for a fun, no-pressure night out that doesn’t drain your wallet, they’re one of the best kept secrets. You don’t need fancy cocktails or a Michelin-starred dinner to have a great time. Just bring your squad, your wit, and maybe a lucky pen - and you’re set.

Why Pub Quizzes Are Perfect for Girls’ Groups

Think about it: how many nights out cost £50+ per person and leave you stuck in a crowded bar with no real way to talk? Pub quizzes fix that. You sit around a table with your friends, work together, laugh at bad answers, and celebrate when you get the one about the capital of Liechtenstein (it’s Vaduz, by the way). There’s no pressure to perform. No one’s judging your dance moves. It’s just good, silly, shared brainpower.

And here’s the kicker - most pub quizzes in London cost between £1 and £3 per person. Some even let you play for free if you buy a drink. That’s less than a coffee at a chain café. For under £10 total, your whole group can spend two hours doing something that feels like a mix of a game show, a party, and a therapy session.

What You’ll Actually Find on the Quiz

Don’t expect questions about quantum physics. Most pub quizzes stick to easy-to-medium rounds: pop culture, 90s TV, movie quotes, British history, and silly wordplay. A typical quiz has six rounds:

• Music - play a 5-second clip and guess the song. Often 2000s pop or classic rock.
• Film & TV - “Which actor played both Harry Potter and Hagrid?” (Answer: Rupert Grint and Robbie Coltrane - that one trips up everyone.)
• General Knowledge - “What’s the chemical symbol for gold?” (Au. Easy. Unless you panic.)
• Picture Round - blurry photos of celebrities or logos. Always includes someone from The Only Way Is Essex.
• Guess the Year - “This song was released in: 1987, 1993, or 2001?” (It’s 1993. You’re wrong.)
• Final Round - usually a bonus question worth double points. Often something ridiculous like “What’s the name of the dog in The Inbetweeners?” (Brian the dog. You didn’t guess that, did you?)

Most quizzes have a theme. Some are 80s only. Others are based on British reality TV. A few even do “Only Girls Know” rounds - things like “Which Spice Girl had the most solo hits?” (Melanie C. Shocking, right?)

Where to Find the Best Cheap Pub Quizzes in London

Not all pub quizzes are created equal. Some are packed with students and loud drunks. Others are quiet, friendly, and have prizes worth caring about. Here are a few spots known for being great for girls’ groups:

• The Prince of Wales (Camden) - £1 entry, free quiz sheets, and a £20 prize for first place. The crowd is mostly locals, not tourists. The quizmaster has a dry sense of humor. You’ll leave laughing.
• The Queen’s Head (Brixton) - Free to enter if you buy a drink. They give out £50 gift cards to local shops. Their picture round is legendary - one week it was all 2000s UK soap stars. You’ll need a cheat sheet.
• The Red Lion (Islington) - No entry fee. Just buy a pint. They have themed quizzes every Thursday. Last month it was “Girls Who Changed the World.” You’ll learn something while you win.
• The George (Hampstead) - Quiet, cozy, and the quiz starts at 8:30 PM. Perfect if you want to avoid the rush. They give out chocolate bars and wine vouchers as prizes. Realistic wins.

Pro tip: Use QuizNightLondon.com (not a sponsored link, just a real site) to check weekly schedules. You can filter by area, price, and theme. Most pubs update their listings every Monday.

How to Win Without Being a Genius

You don’t need to know the names of every Prime Minister. Strategy matters more than facts. Here’s how your group can outsmart the competition:

1. Divide and conquer - Assign rounds. One person does music, another does movies, someone else handles history. You’ll cover more ground.
2. Use the group - If someone says “I think it’s 1995,” don’t shut them down. Vote. Majority rules. Even if you’re wrong, you’ll have a good story.
3. Guess the quizmaster’s vibe - If they’ve been teasing the crowd all night about “basic” answers, the final question might be something obscure. If they’re serious, go with the obvious.
4. Don’t panic on the final round - Most teams mess up here because they overthink. If you’re unsure, pick the answer that sounds like something your mum would say.

And if you lose? Doesn’t matter. The real prize is the group chat that explodes with memes afterward.

What to Wear (and Bring)

There’s no dress code. But here’s what works:

• Wear something comfy. You’ll be leaning over a table for two hours.
• Bring a pen. Not a pencil. Pencils get erased. Pens don’t.
• Don’t bring your phone. Most pubs ban them during the quiz. Use them to take photos after - especially if you win.
• Bring cash for drinks. Some pubs don’t take cards on quiz nights.
• Bring snacks if you’re hungry. Pub food is pricey. A chocolate bar in your bag saves you £4.

Real Talk: Is It Worth It?

Let’s do the math. A night out at a club? £15 cover, £8 for a drink, £12 for Uber home. Total: £35. And you probably spent 30 minutes waiting in line.

A pub quiz? £2 entry, £5 for two pints, £3 Uber. Total: £10. You laugh, you talk, you learn something, you win a £10 voucher. And you’re home by 11 PM.

It’s not just cheaper. It’s better. You’re not just drinking. You’re bonding. You’re remembering that your friend still thinks the Wright Brothers invented the airplane. And you’re okay with that.

What Happens After You Win?

Most places give out small prizes: free drinks, pub vouchers, chocolate, or sometimes a £20 gift card to a local shop. Don’t expect a car. But here’s what you do get: bragging rights. A photo of your team holding the prize. A group chat that lasts for days.

Some pubs even let you come back next week as a defending champion. Your team gets a special table. The quizmaster remembers your name. That’s the real reward.

Final Thought: Why This Beats a Dinner Date

Girls’ nights out often turn into dinner-and-drinks. But dinners are expensive. And quiet. And you end up talking about work.

A pub quiz? It’s loud. It’s messy. It’s full of wrong answers and sudden bursts of laughter. Someone always gets the answer wrong and says, “I thought it was the moon!” And you all lose it.

That’s not just fun. That’s connection. And it doesn’t cost more than a latte.