One local bar has put a new spin on an old board game, giving patrons the chance to answer questions and win a pilsner instead of a pie piece.
Every Monday night the International Bistro on Main Street hosts “Trivial Pursuit” night, an idea that owner Dave Hood said is paying off.
As part of “Trivial Pursuit” night, customers answer questions from “Trivial Pursuit” cards projected onto a large movie screen in the front of the building.
As for the game, there are a few variations. Instead of having a board and passing a card around a bar, the card is displayed on a giant projection screen. There is a time limit of four minutes per card and the winner is determined by who gets their card with the correct answers to the podium first.
The categories remain the same, but there are bonus rounds that include trivia from “Seinfeld,” “Star Wars” and Mississippi State history, among others. The winning team of four receives a round of drinks of their choice for their table.
Wesley Shaner, computer technician for the Bistro, runs the game from his notebook computer. He came up with the idea when he was playing foosball at The Dark Horse Tavern.
“I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be cool if we got a giant game of “Trivial Pursuit” going at the Bistro,” Shaner said.
The idea turned into a reality when Shaner started the game night in March.
“At first, Monday nights were kind of slow, but things really started to pick up in April,” Shaner said. “Since then we have been packed.”
“Trivial Pursuit” night has gained a following with the students at Mississippi State University.
“Most of our regulars are students, and we have a lot of frat guys and sorority girls that come up here, too,” Shaner said.
Morgan Stotelmyer is one of the students who have become regulars on Monday nights. She was at the Bistro for the inaugural game of “Trivial Pursuit” and has been there every Monday night since then.
“I usually come up here with about four or five people, and we have a blast,” Stotelmyer said. “It’s the best place to come on a Monday night.”
Monday nights at the Bistro are not just packed with students-teachers get in on the action, too.
Ed Lowther is an art instructor at East Mississippi Community College. He has been a regular on Monday nights since February.
“You get to know everyone up here and everyone is laid back. It really enhances the whole mood of the place,” Lowther said.
The mood is set by keeping the former theater dimly lit and playing reggae music throughout the night. Players can be seen scrambling to be the first team to come up with answers, whispering among themselves.
As with any game, there are those who take it seriously and those who bend the rules.
“There are some guys who get on their cell phones and call their friends for answers. It is all in fun and it is better when everyone is playing for fun,” Lowther said.
Hood said in order to compete with other bars in town on Monday nights he needs a gimmick. The “Trivial Pursuit” theme has given him just the gimmick he needs, Hood said.