Forget Sunday blues. In Delhi, the real excitement for many now unfolds on weekday evenings, as quiz and trivia nights transform from a niche hobby into the city's hottest social phenomenon. Once confined to small groups, these events now consistently pack venues across the capital, offering a creative and competitive escape from the daily grind.
More Than Just Trivia: Building a Community of the Curious
The appeal of these events stretches far beyond testing knowledge. Kevin Sam, a host with the quiz community Ace of Pubs, observes that for many office-goers, this is their weekly highlight after the 9-to-5 routine. The events cater to all, whether participants arrive in groups or venture in solo, providing a shared space to engage with pop culture and general knowledge.
Founders and quizmasters emphasize the community aspect. Arvind Nair, quizmaster and founder of Quriosity, describes it as a special space for forming meaningful connections, with a guarantee that everyone leaves knowing a little more than they arrived with. Mudita Chauhan-Mubayi, founder of a knowledge solutions company, sees it as tapping into the city's collective wisdom. "We aim to catalyse a community built on inquisitiveness, a sense of wonder, and scientific temper," she says.
For regulars like Ria Chopra, who started in school, quizzing is now a way to exercise the brain away from work, test knowledge, and enjoy collaborative thinking with friends.
Who is Driving the Quiz Night Craze?
The demographic is broad yet distinct. Sumantra Sarathi Datta, convenor at Delhi Quiz Club, notes that while their sessions are driven by college students, they also attract veterans. The majority of quizzers are aged between 25 and 45, with seasoned participants boasting decades of experience. Datta points to "the need to stay sharp and abreast with times" as a key driver of popularity.
Arvind Nair identifies a significant shift within the office-going population. After spending over half their day online, they are actively seeking richer offline experiences. This search for a "third space"—neither home nor office—is perfectly met by quiz nights, as highlighted by Sanjali Nirwani, founder of a Gurgaon bar, who calls them a place to socialise and connect over a common passion.
Bollywood, Harry Potter, and High-Octane Fun
The topics are as diverse as the crowd. While Bollywood quizzes remain the most popular across all groups, closely followed by pop culture, TV shows, and movies, niche themes also thrive. Kevin Sam reveals that while Bollywood draws in even the non-regulars, the best quiz he has hosted was on Harry Potter.
The atmosphere is a unique blend of intense competition and lighthearted fun. Ria Chopra finds it amusing to watch older quizzers tackle questions on the latest memes, and equally fun to see younger groups amazed by the depth of a veteran's niche knowledge. It's this mix of high-octane competition and intergenerational exchange that keeps the rooms full and the minds engaged, proving that Delhi's intellectual spirit is very much alive and quizzing.
