You can go to a pub quiz alone in two ways: play as a team of one, or ask a table with an empty seat if you can join them. Quiz hosts see this all the time, and a quiz gives you a built-in reason to talk because everyone at a table is trying to answer the same questions. The easiest route is to arrive a little early, ask the host or the bar, and say one friendly sentence to a team.
Why a pub quiz is a good solo activity
Most social events ask you to make conversation from nothing. A quiz does the opposite: the conversation is the task. You can say "Does anyone know this one?" without it sounding forced, and you can be quiet and still contribute by writing answers. It has a start, an end and a clear break at half-time, so you know when you can leave.
It is also a recurring event. Many pubs run theirs weekly, which makes it one of the few situations where you can become a regular without joining a formal club. If you have been told to "go out and meet people" and are not sure how, this is a structured way to do it. The same logic is behind a lot of advice on friend groups and clubs: meet the same people in the same place more than once.
Decide how you want to play
| Option | Good if | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Team of one | You want to test the room and not talk yet | Harder to score, fewer chances to meet people |
| Join an existing team | You want company and are happy to speak | Needs one sentence of courage; some tables are full |
| Pair up with another solo player | You see another person alone | Needs you to make the first move, but it is usually welcome |
| Go with one friend, then mix | Solo feels too big this time | Less like going alone, but a decent first step |
There is no wrong choice. A team of one on the first night is a real success if you wanted to learn how the evening works. You can join a team on the second visit.
Before you go: a quick checklist
- [ ] Check the venue's own page or social post for the quiz day, start time and any sign-up. Some quizzes ask you to register a team, some let you turn up.
- [ ] Look for team size rules and whether solo entries are allowed. If it is not stated, ask when you arrive.
- [ ] Bring a pen. Many quizzes provide paper, but not every pen works.
- [ ] Decide when you will leave. "After the first half" is a perfectly good plan.
- [ ] Eat beforehand or check whether the pub serves food during the quiz, so you are not hungry and distracted.
- [ ] Know that you can say you are only staying for a drink.
Arrival: the first 10 minutes
Arriving early is the single most helpful thing you can do. A quiet pub is easier to read, the host is not yet busy, and you can pick where to sit.
- Order at the bar. If the venue uses table service or an app, the staff will tell you. See how to go to a pub alone for the mechanics of ordering and where to stand.
- Find the host or ask staff. "Hi, is the quiz still on tonight? I am on my own. Can I enter as a team of one, or join a team?"
- Choose a seat with an angle. A stool at a long table or a spot beside a larger group is easier to join than a booth in the corner.
- Pick up a sheet and a pen. Having something to do removes the sense of waiting.
Some hosts will help match you. If you ask, "Is there a team that has space for one more?" you may get an introduction, which is much easier than doing it cold.
How to ask to join a team
Look for a table with open seats or a team that is a person short. Wait for a moment between rounds rather than interrupting a question. Then pick one of these scripts and keep it short:
| Style | What to say |
|---|---|
| Plain | "Hi, would you mind if I joined your team? I am on my own." |
| Light | "Is there room for one more? I will bring general knowledge and bad guesses." |
| Specific | "I am rubbish at sport but good at geography. Need anyone for that?" |
| Via the host | "Could you point me to a team that has space?" |
Then follow three small rules:
- Smile and give your name. "I am Sam." If they offer theirs, repeat it once.
- Accept a no with grace. "No problem, thanks anyway" and move on. A no usually means a full team, not a problem with you.
- Contribute a little early. Offer one answer in the first round. It sets up that you are on the team.
If you freeze, you can say "I am nervous about asking" and most people will respond kindly. You can also look at the how to join a conversation steps for the moment of stepping into a group.
While you are playing: staying useful and comfortable
- Say answers once, quietly. Offering "I think it is X, but I am not sure" is fine.
- Own the gaps. "I have no idea on that" is perfectly welcome.
- Be the scribe. Writing the answers gives you a role, and a role takes the pressure off talking.
- Keep disagreement light. Teams argue about answers. Treat it as part of the game.
- Use the half-time break. This is when people chat, buy drinks and compare. Ask "How are we doing?" or "Do you come every week?"
If it is not a good table, finish the round, say thank you and leave or move. You are allowed to.
After the quiz: turning one night into a habit
Most people do not make friends in one night. They make friends by being around the same people repeatedly. A realistic path:
| Visit | Goal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the format. Talk to one person, even for a minute. |
| 2 | Return to the same team or table. Say, "Good to see you again." |
| 3 | Learn two names and one fact about each. Offer to bring a snack or buy a round if that is the custom. |
| 4 | Suggest something small: "Anyone fancy coffee before next week's?" or exchange contact details if it feels natural. |
This is not a script for guaranteed friendship. Some teams will not click, and some quiz nights will be quiet. The point is to give yourself a regular place where people recognise you. If you want a bigger picture of how adult friendships form, how to make friends as an adult lays out the steps.
Troubleshooting
The pub is packed and you cannot see a free seat. Ask the host or bar staff. A table of four might have a spare chair.
Everyone seems to be in pairs. That is normal at quizzes. Teams often have spare capacity if a regular is missing.
You do not know the answers. Nobody does. Quizzes cover many topics, so every team has a person who knows one thing.
You have social anxiety about the evening. Pick the version that feels smallest: team of one, early arrival, one drink. If anxiety is severe or stops you doing things you want to do, talking to a professional is a good idea. This page is general information, not medical advice.
You do not drink alcohol. Order a soft drink or a hot drink. Most pubs serve them and nobody will mind.
Practising it with Solo Era
A pub quiz is a combination of three small skills: going into a pub alone, asking to join a group and coming back a second time. Solo Era is an iPhone app of missions you try alone, with a before and after nervousness rating. The app has no pub quiz mission, but its people category has a level 2 mission, "Ask to join a table where sharing is invited.", which covers the same first step as asking the host. Your Solo Pass keeps a record of what you have tried, and the photo journal lets you note how the evening went, which makes it easier to go back a second time.
Free to download. A subscription is required to start missions.
Solo Era for iPhone
Rate the evening before and after
Note how nervous you feel before walking in, and again on the way home. Seeing the drop between visit one and visit three is a useful reason to go back.
For other game-based settings, see how to find a board game group.
FAQ
Can you go to a pub quiz on your own?
Yes. Many venues allow solo players, and some quizzes are happy to help you join a team. Ask the host or staff when you arrive, since rules vary by venue.
Is it awkward to ask to join a team?
It feels more awkward than it is. Teams that are short a person are often glad to have you. A polite no is rarely about you.
What if there is no team with space?
Play as a team of one, or watch the first round and try again at half-time. You can also come back next week and arrive earlier.
Do I need to know a lot of trivia?
No. Quiz teams usually spread knowledge across several people. Say what you do know, and treat the rest as fun.
How many times should I go before it feels easier?
There is no fixed number. Many people find the second visit much easier than the first, because they know the layout and a few faces.
Should I leave if the night goes badly?
You can. Finish the round, thank the table and go. One uncomfortable evening is information about that venue or night, not about you.
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
