A quiz night at Beer n Play is usually host-led with a clear start, team format and multiple rounds. You register your team on site or as instructed in their channels, receive an answer sheet or digital solution and submit answers after each round.

Expect short question windows, breaks between rounds and a scoreboard that is updated throughout the evening. The questions are often mixed and written so that you can follow along without specialised knowledge.

Come early if you want a table that works for writing, especially if you are more than 4-6 people. Bring a pen, even if some people use digital technology.

Be prepared for rules of order such as "no shouting", one answer sheet per team and that telephone rules may be stricter during questions than during breaks.

It's often a good idea to book a table or at least check the drop-in location in advance, especially when quizzes or games are a central part of the evening. Many places fill up quickly as teams want to sit together and write in peace.

If booking is not possible, please try to arrive 30-60 minutes before the start to allow time to order and settle team registration without stress. For darts, billiards or other games, there may be queue lists or time blocks, so ask staff directly when you arrive.

If you are a larger group: split into smaller teams but ask for seats close together. This is usually easier than asking for one big table.

If someone in your party has special needs (e.g. wheelchair), ask for a more accessible seat when booking.

Most pub quizzes have clear mobile phone rules to keep things fair, often stating that phones must not be used during the question reading and answer time. In practice, it is usually okay to use your mobile phone during breaks, but not to Google answers or communicate with other teams.

Other common rules are: one answer sheet per team, no changes after time is up and no shouting answers. If a team breaks the rules, points may be deducted or the team may be disqualified, although this varies.

If you need the mobile phone for accessibility reasons, for example for text-to-speech, assistive listening devices, communication aids or magnification, let the host know before the quiz starts. You can often find a solution that is both fair and clear.

Feel free to write down the answers right away to avoid last-minute changes.

A team of 2-6 people usually works best as everyone can contribute without the table becoming crowded. With 2-3 people, you will be able to move faster in the discussions, while 4-6 will provide a broader knowledge of music, film, geography and mixed facts.

Larger teams can be more difficult to accommodate, and there is often more talking than writing time when questions have short time windows. If you have a lot of colleagues or a large group of friends, a good approach is to split into two teams and have an internal match.

Also consider the practice: someone should be the "secretary" who writes clearly and keeps track of time, while others focus on contributing answers.

If someone has difficulty hearing in the buzz, a smaller layer near the host or speaker can make a big difference.

You can often count on broad categories such as general knowledge, music, film/TV, sports and games, geography and history and society. The level of difficulty tends to be mixed in each round, with some easy 'warm-up' questions and some that separate the top teams.

Preparation need be no more than putting together a team with different strengths. One person who knows music, one who likes films/comics and one who is good at geography goes a long way.

Practical tips: summarise the discussions quickly, write down the first reasonable answer and mark unsafe questions for a quick return if there is time. If it's a picture round, it can help if someone in the team can see well from a distance or uses glasses.

Bring a pen and ensure that at least one person can read and write clearly under time pressure.

A typical quiz night often takes around 1.5-2.5 hours depending on the number of rounds, breaks and speed of marking. You can usually expect several rounds of 8-12 questions per round with short breaks in between.

Plan to order food and the first round of drinks before the quiz starts, otherwise it can be stressful when the questions are read out. If possible, include a 'toilet break' during a longer break or between rounds to avoid missing questions.

If you need to leave at a specific time, ask the host when the final round usually starts. Some schemes have a final with extra points, which can be useful to know if you want to stay for the awards ceremony.

For the return journey: check public transport or taxis in advance, especially if you want to avoid leaving in the middle of a round.

Accessibility varies between venues, so the safest thing to do is to contact the venue in advance and ask for a step-free entrance, door width and accessible toilet. Also ask for a table where there is room to turn around and where walkways are not blocked by other guests.

When you arrive: ask the staff to show you the best way to the seating, toilet and any gaming stations. For quizzes, it is useful to have a place where you can get close to the table and where it is not crowded when people walk past.

If you want to play darts, billiards or similar: ask if there is a game station with extra space around it. This makes it easier to participate or be a spectator without getting in the way.

A good tip is to arrive early, as it is easier to get an available seat before the venue fills up.

During quizzes, the noise level may vary between quiet question reading and louder buzzing during breaks, and the lights may be dimmed for a bar atmosphere. If you are sensitive to sound or have difficulty understanding speech in noise, it is best to choose a seat close to the host or speaker, but not right next to the music or bar area.

Feel free to bring your own assistive listening devices, such as earplugs with filters or hearing aid settings for a restaurant environment. For light sensitivity, a place with more even lighting may help, and it may be worth asking for a table lamp if available.

If you are visually impaired: ask for larger text on answer sheets, the possibility to write with a thick pencil or for a teammate to read the questions clearly.

Let the staff know at the beginning of the evening and they can often help you find a place that works better.

It is usually possible to combine a quiz with allergy-friendly food and non-alcoholic drinks, but it requires some planning. Order early, preferably before the first round, and be clear about allergies and intolerances so that the kitchen/bar can handle it without stress.

If you are unsure about ingredients: ask for clear information and choose simple dishes or snacks where the contents are easy to verify. For drinks, there is almost always a non-alcoholic option, and this usually works well even if you want to keep a clear head during the competition.

To avoid missing questions: have one person in the team take the order while someone else remains seated and listens to the host. When serving, ask for the food to be placed at the edge of the table so that answer papers and pens do not get wet or sticky.

If someone needs to eat at a certain time, plan the break and let the team know so you don't lose focus in the middle of a round.

The most reliable way is to check the venue's own channels close to the time of your visit, as opening hours and quiz starts can change between seasons and for private bookings. Look for information on their official social media, events calendar or by calling.

When you contact them, ask specifically: what day the quiz is usually on, the exact start time, when you should be there, if booking is required and if there is a participation fee. Also ask about mobile phone rules, team size and whether they use paper or digital answers.

To avoid misunderstandings, write down the answer you receive and double-check on the same day if you are travelling far or in a large group. If the address is unclear, ask for the nearest bus stop/landmark and the entrance used.

If you have accessibility needs, ask for clear answers about stairs, toilets and sound environment so you can plan without stress.