Blog · May 20, 2026
Looking for Things to Do in Costa Mesa on a Thursday? Trivia Night Is Free
Every Thursday night, Geeks Who Drink hosts free live trivia at Deli Nerds in Costa Mesa. Here's what to expect, how to win, and what to eat while you battle for bragging rights.
If your Thursday evenings have gotten a little predictable, we have a fix: free live trivia, every Thursday night at Deli Nerds, hosted by the pros at Geeks Who Drink.
What to Expect
Geeks Who Drink runs the most entertaining pub quiz in the country, and every week they bring it to our Costa Mesa patio. Grab your crew, form a team, and battle it out through rounds covering everything from movies and music to science, sports, and delightfully useless knowledge.
- When: Every Thursday evening
- Where: Deli Nerds, 1525 Mesa Verde Dr E, Suite 117, Costa Mesa
- Cost: Free to play
- Prizes: Yes — plus bragging rights, which are priceless
Trivia Strategy From the Counter
We’ve watched a lot of teams win (and lose) from behind the counter. Our observations:
- Diverse teams win. You need one person who knows sports, one who knows pop culture, and one who inexplicably remembers state capitals.
- Don’t overthink round one. The first answer that pops into your head is right more often than the “clever” one.
- Fuel matters. Teams that order the slider platter demonstrably outperform teams that don’t. Is this scientifically rigorous? No. Do we stand by it? Absolutely.
What to Eat While You Compete
Trivia runs through dinner, and our full menu of scratch-made sliders, wraps, salads, and bowls is available all evening. Crowd favorites for trivia night: a pair of Smashburger sliders, the French Dip (dipping between questions is an art), and cookies for the final round when concentration is critical.
Beyond Thursdays
Trivia is just the weekly anchor of our events calendar. Most Friday and Saturday evenings feature live music on the patio — local bands, solo artists, and the occasional DJ dance party — plus block parties and community events throughout the year.
See You Thursday
No reservation needed — just show up, name your team something you won’t regret when it’s read aloud, and play. Check the events page for this week’s schedule, and follow us on Instagram for announcements.