Beat the off-season blues: Trivia games focus on fun and friends

The off-season at the beach can be lonely and boring, but Let’s Do Trivia solves that problem by offering weekly games at various restaurants and bars where two hours can transform into a fun, memorable time. 

Going solo? No worries. You can play on your own or join a team and meet new friends all while vying for prizes. 

John Mixon, the owner of Salt & Light Entertainment, shares his vision for the game and how it has breathed new life to the winter months. 

How did you initially envision the concept for Let's Do Trivia and has it gone in the direction as you had hoped?

In 1997, I had never heard of "pub trivia." Although I had been a professional entertainer since 1982, I focused on wedding receptions and parties with a little bar DJ'ing also. 

In '97, a friend of mine was walking toward me after church one day with a very determined look on his face. He said, "You're good at music stuff, come out tomorrow night and help us win trivia." 

I had no idea what he was talking about, but my wife and I drove that next night to a Mexican restaurant in Georgia and walked in to find our friends. There were 12 people at the table before we arrived. 

For the next two hours, we ate, drank a little beer, laughed, and occasionally answered or helped with a trivia question asked by some guy with a microphone. We loved the experience, gained many new friends, and played regularly for almost 2 years before moving back to Delaware.  

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Delmarva economy being what it is, I couldn't locate a comparably-paying job despite the housing and other costs being about the same as Georgia. That is when I decided to reopen my entertainment business. 

Not only did I need to make some additional income, there wasn't a single bar in the beach area hosting a weekly trivia night.  

My vision was to share my experience. As our country becomes more and more polarized I saw the need and benefit of a weekly trivia night in helping to overcome some of the anger people see in our differences and replace it with the joy of seeing our similarities and uniqueness. 

The other thing I saw was that many restaurants were closing up shop in the winter, forcing many workers to either go on unemployment or scramble to replace income. So, I had a dual-purpose in bringing weekly game shows to the region.

The off-season at the Shore can be lonely and boring especially during the drab winter months. Has some of the local bars/restaurants seen an increase in patrons during this time of year since they began providing Let’s Do Trivia each week?

Absolutely! We actually track attendance numbers every week on spreadsheets and report our findings to the venue management. At any time, they can contact our office and ask where they are against last year's attendance figures or as far back as they have been hosting our games.  

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I remember when a local restaurant owner contacted me when I was reluctant to provide our games only in the off-season. She told me that if we wouldn't return, she was going to close until spring. 

That is the exact moment when I truly realized the impact our games were having on restaurant's bottom line.

Some bars/restaurants have been offering Let’s Do Trivia for several years now.  Can you name some of those longest running establishments?  Also, why you believe it has been a success for them especially when it is not uncommon for events/activities to fade out over time?

Twelve of our 31 restaurants have been hosting our events for more than seven years.  You are absolutely right, this is unheard-of in this industry.  

Fraizer's Restaurant in Dover has been hosting our trivia every Wednesday for 13 years. Near the beach area, Arena's started games 9 years ago downtown and we are now in four of their restaurants including Newark. 

Nicola's on the Avenue, Hammerheads, Grotto Pizza, Bethany Blues and Macky's (Ocean City) have been with us for 8 years. Smitty McGee's, 7 years.  

Our conservative estimate is based on attendance numbers and player surveys which tell us that our game shows put over $1 million into the restaurant economy on Delmarva last year. 

I have been to many "trivia" games over the years and I think a lot of companies make the night all about answering tough questions. While the "trivia" part of our night is important, the main focus is on community. 

Our games are paced in such a way that they do not take over the whole evening, but allow ample time for folks to enjoy conversation and not feel like they are taking a final exam. You have time to breathe. 

Another important reason why we have success for so long at some venues is because the owners, management and staff have bought in to our concept and they maintain focus on our games rather than take them for granted.

Restaurant staff with a good, motivated attitude toward our game shows makes the evening so much more fun.  If you are not having fun at trivia night, you are doing it wrong. 

How many locations overall are currently available and where can participants find game times and locations in advance? How would you motivate newcomers to try it?

We have more than 30 games each week in a fairly large footprint from Newark, Delaware to Ocean City, Maryland, and as far west as Dunkirk, Maryland, across the Chesapeake Bay. 

Our website – www.letsdotrivia.com has the weekly schedules including our other game show events. 

The biggest hurdle to most people is that they think they are no good at trivia, and some people really are not. But, if you do not try it, you will miss the fun, the laughter, the camaraderie, and the awesome food and drinks our hosting restaurants provide. 

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Often times there are "specials" for trivia players.

I always tell people, instead of thinking of it as a trivia competition, think of it as a party where great music and good times combine with some trivia questions.  

In my opinion, it is a lot more fun than a trip to the movies and costs about the same, except you have eaten gourmet fish tacos, beef brisket, or a delicious 1/2 lb. burger with a craft ale instead of popcorn, candy and a soft drink.  

What are some of the most interesting moments your hosts have experienced?

I have seen two different couples where the people met as strangers at my games, dated, and got married.

I love seeing how often three generations of families come out to play together with everyone and having a blast while solidifying the family unit. All of our hosts tell similar stories.  We meet once each year at what we call Host Con and share stories of our hosting experiences.  

We have all made lifelong friends through this job and had a great time while doing it. 

If you go:

Let’s Do Trivia

Where: Various locations throughout Sussex County

When: Various days of the week

Cost: Free to play

Info: 302-684-1088 or www.letsdotrivia.com