Best Quiz Nights in South Shields
Food & Drink

Best Quiz Nights in South Shields

From a Tuesday night quiz at the Sand Dancer to a Sunday session at The Marine, here are the best pub quiz nights in South Shields.

SouthShields.org·

South Shields has a solid pub quiz scene, with several pubs running weekly quizzes across different nights of the week. Whether you are a hardened quizzer or just looking for a midweek night out, here are the best quiz nights in the town.

The Sand Dancer — Tuesday

The Sand Dancer on Sea Road runs a quiz every Tuesday from 7.30pm. The seafront location makes it one of the most enjoyable quiz venues in South Shields, with a beer garden overlooking Sandhaven Beach if you arrive early for a pre-quiz drink.

The quiz typically lasts around two hours and covers general knowledge, music, sport, and picture rounds. The Sand Dancer also serves food, so you can eat before or during the quiz.

Best for: Quiz every Tuesday from 7.30pm at the seafront — arrive early for a drink in the beer garden overlooking the beach.


The Bamburgh — Weekly Quiz

The Bamburgh on Bamburgh Avenue hosts a weekly quiz night with a mix of general knowledge, sport, pop culture, and wildcard rounds. The Bamburgh is a Greene King pub with big screens for sport, a beer garden, and a dog-friendly policy, so it is a relaxed, family-friendly venue for a quiz night out.

Tables fill up quickly, so booking in advance is recommended to secure your spot.

Best for: Weekly quiz at a dog-friendly Greene King pub near the coast — book a table to secure your spot.


The Fountain — Weekly Quiz

The Fountain on Highfield Road in Horsley Hill also runs a regular quiz night. Quizzes last around two hours and tables are available from 5pm on the night of the quiz. The Fountain's Flaming Grill kitchen serves food before and during the quiz, so you can make a full evening of it.

The Fountain is slightly out of the town centre, which means it tends to be less crowded than seafront venues. It is a good option if you prefer a quieter, more local atmosphere.

Best for: Weekly quiz with food from the Flaming Grill kitchen — tables available from 5pm on quiz night.


The Customs House — Late Late Quiz

The Customs House at Mill Dam runs the Late Late Quiz, a popular quiz night in the venue's bar and restaurant. The Customs House setting — a listed building overlooking the River Tyne — makes it a more distinctive quiz venue than a typical pub, and the bar serves a good selection of drinks and food.

Check The Customs House website or social media for the current quiz schedule, as dates and times can vary with the theatre programme.

Best for: Quiz night at South Tyneside's premier arts venue — a listed building overlooking the River Tyne at Mill Dam.


The Maltings

The Maltings on Claypath Lane, Jarrow Brewery's tap house, hosts entertainment evenings throughout the week. With up to fifteen guest ales on tap and a Thai restaurant upstairs, The Maltings is worth checking for quiz nights and general knowledge events. Follow their social media for the latest schedule.


Tips for Quiz Night

  • Arrive early. Popular venues like The Sand Dancer and The Bamburgh fill up quickly
  • Team size. Most quizzes allow teams of four to six — check the rules before arriving with a large group
  • Book a table. Greene King pubs (The Bamburgh and The Fountain) allow table bookings online or by phone
  • Eat first. All the venues listed serve food, so you can combine quiz night with dinner

For more on South Shields nightlife, see our guide to the best pubs. For food, read our guides to the best restaurants and the best takeaways.