Forget K-Way puffer jackets, Uber Eats, AfrikaBurn spamming your feed, the “new” traffic light on Merriman and happy hour at Hudson’s – there’s a new trend in town and it’s something slightly more cerebral. With the winter season fast approaching and engineering students dusting off their gumboots, pub-quizzes start getting introduced to the events calendar of many Stellenbosch bars to keep us entertained during the long months of cold weather.
From sophisticated and competitive, to light-hearted and self-deprecating, each venue offers quizzes to suit every kind of general knowledge connoisseur. MatieMedia has gone to the liberty of compiling a list of local bars that offer quiz nights and what you might expect from each.
1.) De Warenmarkt
A throng of devoted competitors ensure that Wednesday nights at De Warenmarkt are always packed, so be sure to book a table. Kicking off at 8:30PM every week, guests often arrive early and indulge in a few glasses of the house red before participating in a quizzing extravaganza that caters for everyone’s field of interest, from geography and history to current affairs, sport, science and of course, entertainment.
Quiz master and De Warenmarkt’s food and beverage manager, Stephan Lubbe (32), emphasises the camaraderie that such evenings foster among patrons.
“I make it more personal and try help all the teams on the night. [I don’t give] answers (without tequila), but guide the teams to the correct answer with their own knowledge,” he jokes.
With a large fire to accompany the engaging questions (often visual as there is a projector set up for the occasion), this is the perfect venue for young and old adults alike. Service runs normally throughout the night and thus, puzzling over the latest cabinet reshuffle can be done whilst enjoying a hearty meal.
Quiz master in question: Stephan Lubbe
Studied: BComm (Psych)
Score brownie points by: Bribing him with tequila – seriously, it works.
Location: 20 Ryneveld Street
Bookings: 021 883 2274
De Warenmarkt’s restaurant (located perpendicularly to Ryneveld Street) is spacious and warm, providing the ideal venue for larger teams to assemble for the Wednesday night festivities. PHOTO: Kyra Tarr
Entrance: The restaurant’s exterior. Guest’s participating in the quiz evening must sit inside, but the tables do spill outside onto the sidewalk – opposite Decameron Restaurant. PHOTO: Kyra Tarr
2.) Aandklas
More than a few students have fooled their parents by asking for additional pocket money to fund their “evening classes”, but Aandklas does make these untruths a little less blatant with their pub-quiz, which is hosted every Thursday evening at 9PM.
The rock-heavy jolling joint tones it down (ever-so-slightly) to ask life’s more serious questions in a quiz evening hosted by MFM’s Drive Show presenter, Arnold van der Walt.
Regarding the quiz, van der Walt says, “ We have changed the game a little bit and gees goes a long way!”
General manager, Juan de Jager, says the evening is everything you’d expect from Aandklas, with participants joining after a few post-class drinks amid the more regular and competitive quiz-goers. Be that as it may, de Jager insists the spirit (pardon the pun) of the establishment stays in tact as downing competitions often ensue for various reasons, whether it’s for incorrectly advising a fellow teammate or winning the night’s competition.
“It’s more informal, if I can put it that way,” he says. “We give out drinks and make sure it’s a kuier atmosphere.”
Quiz master in question: Arnold van der Walt
Score brownie points by: Complimenting the playlist compilations at MFM
Location: 43 Bird Street
Bookings: 021 883 3545
The quiz master, Arnold van der Walt, himself. Besides hosting the quiz night at Aandklas, van der Walt also presents The Drive Show on MFM 92.6 and is the station’s music compiler. PHOTO: Supplied
3.) The Courtyard Cafe
Quickly gaining traction in the Stellenbosch social scene, The Courtyard Cafe offers the perfect combination of laid-back student bar meets industrial chique. What better way to continue their upward climb by adding pub-quiz to their repertoire?
Hosted every Wednesday night at 8PM by Pieter Roux (28), the night’s categories include sport, movies, “nerdy-stuff” and music. This is according to owner and manager, Mark Darling, who encourages all to come and experience the festivities for themselves.
Whilst bookings are not necessarily called for, it is advisable to go earlier than the above-mentioned time and grab a table while seats are still open. Prizes include anything from bar tabs for the winning team, to “gourmet milkshake shots” for enthusiastic participants.
Quiz master in Question: Pieter Roux
Studied: Mechanical Engineering
Score brownie points by: Saying anything remotely related to Star Wars. Bestow you with points, he will.
Location: 3 Blom Road
Bookings: 082 429 0316
Quiz nights at The Courtyard Cafe are hosted on a Wednesday at 8:00PM. Bar tab prizes are awarded to top performing teams. PHOTO: Facebook – supplied.
4.) Brampton Wine Studio
With celebrated flatbreads on the menu and a selection of wines for every palette, this central wine-bar maintains its “current” status by getting in on the quizzing fun over the winter months.
Whilst an official debut date hasn’t yet been set, waiting staff member, Marais Singleton (24), says it is will most-likely be on the cards again this season, as it has been in previous years.
“It’s [always been] a highly relaxed vibe, with guests learning about it through word of mouth,” he says.
“It normally takes place on Tuesday evenings and gets really packed inside. Teams have a maximum of 6 members.”
Quiz master in Question: Still a mystery
Score brownie points by: Becoming the quiz master yourself?
Location: 11 Church Street
Bookings: 021 883 9097
Brampton Wine Studio is known for its high tables with chalkboard surfaces. Showcase more than your doodling talents by participating in their quiz evening (watch this space for the launch announcement). PHOTO: Kyra Tarr