Joining a pub quiz while on holiday in London is a quintessentially British pastime and is a great way to spend an evening while soaking up the local culture. In town for King Charles' coronation? Why not put your general knowledge to the test with a cold pint and some pub snacks? Whether you're a local or a tourist, pub quizzes are a great way to meet new people and experience the friendly atmosphere of a British pub. So why not add a pub quiz to your list of must-try activities during your next vacation in England?
Whenever anything happens with the British monarchy, ‘Britishness’ becomes international front page news. Forget about the evils of colonisation; people from all over the world, in a strangely ever-lasting Anglophil imperial hangover, hang up bunting, bake scones, wrap themselves up in Union Jacks and declare their love for all things British.
King Charles will have his coronation on Saturday, 6 May. And even though they promise it to be a thoroughly modern affaire, there will still be a lot of tradition to be steeped in. The ceremony dates back thousands of years, and is a very formal and symbolic event, with many dignitaries and representatives from around the world in attendance. It will be a celebrated moment in British history, as the country welcomes a new monarch and continues its long tradition of constitutional monarchy.
The exact details of King Charles' coronation ceremony have not been announced, as it will likely be planned in accordance with his wishes and in consultation with the Church of England and the British government. However, it is likely to include many traditional elements, such as an oath of allegiance, an anointing with holy oil, and the presentation of various symbols of the monarchy, such as the orb and sceptre.
But if you are looking for tradition, a far more fun one to take part in is the
British pub quiz. British pub quizzes are a popular form of entertainment in the UK and are often held in pubs and bars throughout the country. They provide an opportunity for people to socialise, have fun, and test their knowledge on a wide range of topics including general knowledge, history, sports, music, movies, and current affairs. The quiz typically takes place in a pub or a bar, and it is usually hosted by a quizmaster who reads out the questions to the teams. Drinks are a must, bar snacks if you are lucky, baked brie in a bread bowl if your local is posh.
The first thing you must do is to form a team of players and choose an appropriately cheeky team name, like the Quizzards of Oz, the Quizzly Bears, the In-quizatives, or if you are feeling spicy, the Cunning Linguists. The larger your team, the stronger your change of winning. Doh! The format of the quiz can vary, but it typically consists of several rounds of questions, with each round covering a different topic or theme. Each team is given a sheet of paper to write down their answers, and another that features picture clues. At the end of each round, the quizmaster will collect the papers and mark them. The team with the highest score at the end of the quiz is declared the winner, and they may receive a prize, such as a round of drinks or a cash prize. Even trickier is the goal to come second to last. If you fear your trivia knowledge not strong enough, or your team too small for first place, this is the one to aim for.
The beer will flow, the adrenaline starts pumping, voices get louder, but whatever you do, put the Google away and do not cheat! You will be banned from the quiz, and that is more embarrassing than losing.
If you really want to be British this coming coronation weekend, watch the celebrations on the telly, then pop down to the pub for a pint, some bar snacks, and an hour or two of quintessential quizzing. Pub quizzes usually take place once every week, but these will all vary. Please check in with your local for their pub quiz day and start time.
Not all pubs in London hold quiz nights, but most of them are steeped in history and have been serving customers for hundreds of years. Here are some of the oldest pubs in London:
The Old Mitre: This pub is located on Ely Court in Holborn and dates back to the 16th century. It has retained much of its original charm, with oak beams and a traditional bar.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese: Located on Fleet Street, this pub has been around since the 17th century and was frequented by famous literary figures such as Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The Spaniards Inn: This pub in Hampstead dates back to the 16th century and is known for its connections to the famous highwayman Dick Turpin.
The Prospect of Whitby: This riverside pub in Wapping dates back to the 16th century and was a popular haunt for sailors and smugglers.
The George Inn: Located near London Bridge, this pub dates back to the 17th century and is one of the few remaining coaching inns in London.
The Lamb and Flag: This Covent Garden pub dates back to the early 18th century and was once a popular spot for bare-knuckle boxing matches.
Sample questions for the easiest pub quiz ever:
1. Where in the world would you expect to find a car with the vehicle registration code ‘V’?
2. In which children’s book did a spider called Charlotte and a pig called Wilbur appear?
3. Which Mexican artist produced works entitled ‘The Broken Column’ and ‘Diego and I’?
4. What poisonous oily liquid occurs naturally in tobacco leaves?
5. Who had his first UK top 10 hit with 'Wichita Lineman'?
6. Which sign of the Zodiac is represented by the Scales?
7. In which country was Rudyard Kipling born?
8. What is the gemstone for September?
9. What instrument has been nicknamed the 'Mississippi Saxophone'?
10. One and a half litres of champagne is known as a what?
11. In alphabetical order, name the three particles that make up an atom?
12. What is the common name of the Aurora Borealis?
Answers for the easiest pub quiz ever:
1.Vatican City
2.Charlotte’s Web
3.Frida Kahlo
4.Tar
5.Glen Campbell
6.Libra
7.British India
8.Sapphire
9.Harmonica
10.Magnum
11.Electrons, nutrons, protons,
12.Northern Lights
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