Stump Trivia in Baltimore: Weekly Pub Quiz with Rotating Hosts and High Stakes

Stump Trivia is a free-to-play weekly trivia series that rotates across Baltimore bars, with questions designed to reward specific knowledge over broad familiarity and prize pools that occasionally exceed $100. Games run on fixed nights at each venue, drawing 40 to 80 players per round depending on location and time of year.

What Stump Trivia actually is

Stump Trivia is an independent quiz operation, not a franchise or bar-owned program. A rotating roster of hosts (typically three to five individuals) writes and delivers rounds that emphasize precision: a question on "What album?" requires the album name, not just the artist. Rounds usually contain five to eight questions per category, with categories rotating weekly. Games are scored by individual or team, and winners take home cash or bar credit. The series has operated in Baltimore since at least 2018 and maintains a steady following across multiple venues.

How it works and where to find it

Stump Trivia does not have a single home location. Instead, it hosts games at different Baltimore bars on rotating schedules. Participation is free; you bring a team (typically 1 to 4 people) or join a table with strangers. Games begin between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on designated nights, with rounds lasting 90 minutes to two hours. Entry to the venue itself may require a minimum food or drink purchase, which varies by bar.

The most reliable way to find current venues and schedules is through Stump Trivia's social media accounts, which are updated before each week's games. Bar schedules change seasonally and occasionally shift without notice, so calling the venue directly on the afternoon of play is a safer move than assuming a long-standing night remains unchanged.

Prize structure and stakes

Prize pots typically range from $20 to $100, depending on the number of teams playing and how aggressively the host has recruited that week. Larger venues and nights closer to holidays often yield bigger payouts. Some rounds offer bar credit instead of cash. First place usually claims 50 percent of the pot, with second and third place splitting the remainder. Exact payout percentages are announced before games begin.

This is not a league with cumulative scoring or playoff nights; each game stands alone. Winning one week does not affect standings or eligibility the next week, and no membership or registration is required to play.

Stump Trivia versus other Baltimore trivia options

Baltimore has multiple independent trivia hosts, each with distinct styles. Pub Quiz at various locations (a separate operation) typically runs more mainstream questions with broader categories, designed to appeal to casual players. Stump Trivia's threshold for correct answers is higher: questions often expect precise titles, years, or names rather than general knowledge. If you excel at name-that-song or famous landmarks, Pub Quiz may feel more accessible. If you prefer deep cuts and penalty-free wrong answers, Stump Trivia rewards preparation.

Some Baltimore bars also run house trivia hosted by staff, which rarely offer prize pools and tend toward entertainment over competition. Stump Trivia is transaction-based: players show up, compete, and win or lose within a clear framework.

Who should play and who should not

Stump Trivia suits groups with a mix of knowledge areas: one person's music expertise covers another's gaps in film or history. Teams of two to four perform better than solo players, partly because discussion is allowed during rounds and partly because shared knowledge pools larger than any individual's. Casual players or people new to trivia should not expect to place in first round; most winners have attended multiple sessions and learned the hosts' tendencies.

Groups looking for a relaxed social night may find Stump Trivia too competitive. Games are fast-paced, questions are read once, and there is no time to debate ambiguous wording. If you want to chat between questions, other venues are gentler.

First visit logistics

Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before start time to secure a table, order a drink, and get oriented. Hosts will brief the room on rules, categories, and scoring. Bring paper and pens; tables are not always supplied. Teams of four or fewer can sit together; larger groups may be split. You will write answers on a sheet, turn it in after each round, and scores are announced before the next round begins. No phones for answers once the first question is read.

Hours and location logistics

Because Stump Trivia rotates among venues, hours depend on the specific bar. Most games occur on Tuesday or Wednesday nights; confirm the current schedule before planning a trip. Parking varies by neighborhood and venue; downtown locations may have street parking or nearby paid lots, while neighborhood bars often have dedicated lot access. Verify parking and venue address through the most recent social media post or a direct call to the bar hosting that week.

Stump Trivia fills a niche in Baltimore's entertainment landscape for players who value competitive quiz play with tangible prizes and a high barrier to guessing. Regular attendees build familiarity with the hosts' question style, making repeat visits more rewarding than single appearances.