How would you like to try out Trivia Night at C.C. O’Brien’s Sports Cafe in Stonington?

It’s in the Pawcatuck section near the railroad bridge, and it’s a fun atmosphere. I went a couple weeks ago and it was packed!

It’s every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. There are usually 40 to 50 people there, and quite a range of age groups come.

Trivia night teams average somewhere between seven and 12 each week. The bar offers beer and Twisted Tea specials, and you can order from the menu while you are playing.

The food ranges from hamburgers to fried Oreos, with tables and booths in the downstairs and upstairs sections so there's plenty of room.

Trivia host Jason Crossley is very friendly and enthusiastic. He explains how it all works as you go. A mixture of different topics are lobbed at teams that range from four to six people. Everyone gets the same questions and clues, and the teams really get into it.

Every Tuesday there are three prizes: first place is a $25 gift certificate to CC OBrien’s, while second place earns a $15 certificate. Third place nets a T-shirt or baseball cap.

One topic was astronomy. They played the song “Living on a Prayer,” and the answer was “Half Moon.” You really have to listen carefully to the lyrics of the songs!

Then they played “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper, and the topic is geography. We guess the answer is “Times Square.” What do you know, we got it right! We were tied with everyone at first, then started losing steam. Big time.

Anyway, now it’s half–time. People can stay till the end at 9:30 p.m. or leave whenever. I have to say this was more advanced than I thought.

There are a lot of regulars here, we can tell, and they are good.

Finally, there is a “speed round sheet.” It involves songs again and a theme again. This is like a crossword puzzle where your brain gets used to how it goes. The “speed round” continues with more songs and themes.

Man, these people are amazing! There’s a young guy in his 20s handing in his entry form. He’s quick on the draw. Come and see how quick these people are!

So we didn’t win,, but it was our first time. I’m sure the more you do this, the better you get at it.

I spoke to the co-owner, Carolyn O’Brien, who said, “Trivia Night has been going on for eight years and it’s a pretty steady business night for us. Really hot nights or especially rainy nights bring in even more people. ... Trivia has become a ‘thing’ now. We’ve always enjoyed it.”

There are other trivia nights in our area as well. Wednesday is at the Harp and Hound in Mystic. Monday nights it’s at Friar Tucks in Mystic. It’s at the Irons in Mystic on Friday nights, and at the Harbor House every Tuesday in Mystic as well.

CC O’Brien’s is located at 8 Mechanic St. in Pawcatuck.

Shari Lynne Rosenthal lives in Stonington.

Out & About is a regular feature in the Times. To contribute or offer suggestions, email times@theday.com.