If you dig deeper, showing off erudition at social events was also popular in the Victorian era. Even Jane Eyre in Charlotte Brontë's novel complained: "The first evening they changed the program, I was extremely puzzled: everyone started talking about playing charades, and I, in my ignorance, did not understand what it meant." In reality, of course, overly complicated games were not part of such events—sometimes even a Ouija board, —but the passion for intellectual pastimes developed further and now hardly resembles Mr. Rochester's leisure time.
The word "quiz" (from English quiz) is associated with a curious legend: supposedly in 1791, a certain Richard Daly bet that he could make a non-existent word popular — and the next day, all the walls, fences, shutters, and doors of Dublin were covered with the word quiz. But in reality, this is a myth: the word was already found in dictionaries of the late 18th century and meant "an eccentric person." It was only in the second half of the 19th century that it acquired its modern meaning — as a knowledge test.
In 1975, Sharon Burns and Tom Porter turned the word quiz into mass entertainment by launching the pub quiz format in Britain — to attract people and increase evening revenue in pubs. By 1980, the 32 teams that started playing in the south of England had grown to 10,000 — and quizzes became a national hobby. Inexpensive games in pubs turned into a cultural phenomenon, and later The Independent would joke about quiz enthusiasts with a pint in hand — Quizzers drink like fish.
Meanwhile, across the vast expanse of the «Unbreakable Union» an intellectual casino was gaining popularity — without pints and cheerful noise, on the contrary, in a restrained club atmosphere and with a slight touch of elitism. The format was invented by television journalist Vladimir Voroshilov: instead of a competition between teams — one team at a round table, focused and tense, and in the center — the already iconic spinning top.
Well, London is far away, and the spinning top from TV isn't for everyone, and a pint at the pub isn't always on the way. But who said intellectual games are only for the British and quiz show experts in bow ties? In Tashkent, there's also a place to stretch your brain cells—with excitement, jokes, and favorite topics. If you can recognize the soundtrack from "Shrek" from the first notes and know why dolphins sleep with one eye open—consider yourself already selected.
"Smoothie Quiz" (EN)
Where to play: at Smokerbar "VMYASO" — 65 Saroymulkhonim St..
How much does it cost: from 60,000 to 70,000 UZS per person. The current price is always indicated in the announcements.
Frequency: 25-30 games per month (!), including — thematic ones.
Age: possible from 12 years old, but not strictly. There are family games where younger children come.
Topics: lots of music, and also — Harry Potter, Soviet films, anime, KMC (movies, cartoons, series).
Features: they sometimes host nostalgic quizzes like "Bring Back My 2007" or surprise games where the theme is revealed as you go. Newcomers are welcome: rules are explained from scratch, and if you come alone — they'll find you a team.
"Shaker Quiz" (RU)
Where they play: Smokerbar "VMYASO" — 65 Saroymulkhonim St. and restaurant Georgia — 21 Matbuotchilar St..
Cost: From 60,000 to 70,000 UZS per person.
How often: 15–20 games per month.
How to sign up: via Instagram or Telegram: @shaker_tashkent.
Age: all are welcome, except for episodes marked 18+ and "black" episodes. Even infants have been here — no joke.
Topics: a mix of classics and madness: movies, TV series, history, geography, music of all genres, favorite fandoms from "Harry Potter" to "The Matrix".
Features: the name speaks for itself: shaker is a cocktail of themes, formats, and players. Here you'll find both ChGK experts, party-goers, and music lovers. Every game is an evening with a vibe.
Uzquiz (UZ)
Where they play: cafe Mazza — Alisher Navoi St., 25. Landmark: Khadra Square.
Price: 60,000 UZS per person.
How often: Thursdays — classic games, Tuesdays — themed games (movies, music, sports, etc.).
How to sign up: via social media: Telegram, Instagram, Facebook. Announcements are posted there as well.
Age: From 12 to 70 years old. The main thing is enthusiasm, not the birth date in your passport.
Topics: always with character and local humor: movies and TV shows, history and sports, music and show business, logic, memes, internet culture.
Features: native language, local realities, jokes and characters that only an insider would understand. It's about the atmosphere – and about recognition.
And yes — few people leave "with zero": the organizers are proud that almost all teams make it to the answers. Because a quiz is not an exam, but an adventure.
"Brain Battle" (RU)
Where they play: at the Bavaria Plaza restaurant — Babur St., 21A.
Price: 60,000 UZS per person.
How often: games are held every week — sometimes 2–3 quizzes depending on the schedule.
How to register: registration website: tash.mzgb.net. Announcements and results: Telegram / Instagram.
Age: you can play from 8 years old (on family quizzes), but the "main" audience is 25+.
Topics: a wide variety: from movies and music to geography, travel, and gastronomy. The season's hits are the musical "Back to the 2000s" and "Back to the 90s".
Features: the most emotional round is the blitz. It's the last one: 100 seconds, 7 questions, no repeats, and a chance to double your bet. Either you surge ahead or tumble down the leaderboard.
A friendly competitive atmosphere. If there is any rivalry, it is passive, at the level of rumors, but there is far more friendship and partnership: families have already formed through the games, who now come to play together with their children.
"Quiz, Please!" (RU)
Where they play: at Bavaria Plaza restaurant — Babur St., 21A.
Cost: 60,000 UZS per person.
How often: 3–4 games per week.
How to sign up: quizplease.uz, all announcements are there.
Age: no restrictions, except for 18+ games.
Themes: a huge range — from classic games to Harry Potter quizzes, memes, eras, cartoons, and even "rock vs pop" battles. Plus, music parties and karaoke rounds.
Features: in one of the games, there was a round with extremely difficult words. You had to correctly write, say, Eyjafjallajökull or Oyarzabal Ugarte. The answers were read aloud—and it was a mini stand-up.
Zakovat (UZ)
Where to play: Zakovat Arena near the «Beruniy» metro station.
How much does it cost: all games are free.
Frequency:
— Uzbek Quiz: every Wednesday;
— Leagues: every Saturday (second, first, professional);
— Jeopardy!: every Saturday evening;
— Student and School League: during the academic season according to the schedule;
— Plus specific games between organizations and departments.
How to sign up:
— Through zakovatklubi.uz;
— On "Zakovat Quiz" — new registration every Monday;
— You can simply come with a team to the second league;
— You need to qualify for the First and Pro Leagues based on the season's results.
Age: no restrictions (except for school and student leagues).
Topics: omnivorous — from logic and history to movies, science, and news.
Features: the club has a strict league structure and a real competitive spirit — everything is serious, with selection and rankings.
Cost: free for all participants.
Zakovat (RU)
Where they play:
— Adult League: Dudek bar;
— Schoolchildren: Zakovat Arena;
— Students: WIUT (University of Westminster).
Cost: free for all participants.
Frequency:
— Adult League: every Sunday;
— Students: twice a month on Saturdays;
— Schoolchildren: 2 times a month + 1 online tournament.
How to sign up:
— Adult league: comment under a post on Telegram;
— Others: registration via forms;
— Main channel: @ruliga_zakovat;
— School League: @zakovatschool.
Age: usually — from the 5th grade, but once even a third-grader played successfully.
Topics: unless it's Zakovat Quiz (held 3–4 times a year), the basis is general knowledge. The older the league, the higher the difficulty.
Features: cash prizes — up to 100 million soums in international tournaments, free passes to quests, courses, diplomas for university admission, and even salary bonuses for teachers. Cups and medals — of course, those too.
Sports "What? Where? When?" (RU)
Where they play: At the Dudek restaurant.
Price: From 40,000 UZS per person, the exact amount is specified in the announcements.
Frequency: Every week — two simultaneous tournaments in a day.
How to sign up: Follow the Telegram channel. No team? You'll find one — here they help assemble a squad.
Age: No restrictions. Everyone plays — from schoolchildren to quiz veterans. 18+ tournaments are rare.
Topics: History and exact sciences, film and music, memes, culture, social media, politics, and everyday trifles
Features: No show. It's all serious: no music, no jokes. Only knowledge and the spirit of competition. The one who thinks wins, not the one who laughs the loudest. (No prizes, you need to bring your own pens)