Thursday, February 8, 2007

Where nerds drink for free



Q: Where can you show off your deep knowledge of inane facts that run the gamut from Rick Santorum's dirty deeds to theme songs from awful 1980s sitcoms like “Perfect Strangers”?

1) A convention for Proust scholars in Amsterdam just before the tulips bloom; 2) During the coffee break at a Bronson Pinchot fanclub-reunion of three recently divorced souls; 3) The cozy and quaint 331 Club in Northeast Minneapolis on Sunday nights at 9 p.m., where red wine flows and nerds unite.

If you guessed number 3, you just might be ready for Chuck and Sean’s always-entertaining Sunday night trivia at the 331. The self-deprecating and self-proclaimed local “big wigs” at trivial pursuit are actually local musicians Chuck Terhark (Como Avenue Jug Band, Death to our Enemies) and Sean McPherson (aka Twinkie Jiggles of Heiruspecs, Ela, and Big Trouble) whose combined knowledge of trivia covers history, politics, and music.

Sure, bars like Kieran’s, Brit's, Keegan's, and Green Mill compete for the collective brainpower and beer money of local trivia buffs. But Chuck and Sean’s trivia has that extra-special dose of pure geekery and love that often comes in the form of an exciting round of “name that tune.” (This is where one’s knowledge of Led Zeppelin, Snoop Dogg, and James Brown finally proves useful.)

Plus, who doesn't love the vibe and selection at the 331? Not only can those dark booths turn trivia into something sexy and romantic, but that bottle of red wine doesn’t hurt the heart and mind, either. And if you’re really good, you might get that bottle of sweet elixir for free. The winning team gets a $20 bar tab, while losers get to go home and practice for next Sunday.

331 Club: http://www.331club.com/home.php, 331 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, 612.331.1746
Chuck and Sean's trivia: http://www.331club.com/events.php