When it comes to local cheerful weeknight entertainment, is there anything better than a pub quiz?
As many pubs struggle to grapple with the cost-of-living crisis, dozens more have been forced to close their doors over the course of the past 12 months.
However, despite the struggles, the pubs still standing strong regularly manage to attract crowds with some healthy competition and good old-fashioned fun in the form of a pub quiz.
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Quiz fanatics and readers of The Oldham Times have now had their say on the pubs they consider to be the borough's best for a pub quiz.
Here are the results.
1. The Railway
At the top of the leaderboard by a long shot is The Railway pub on Railway Road, Hollinwood, which holds its speed quiz with 'music vision' every Wednesday from 8.45pm.
While there are also prizes up for grabs, Neil Hushion said he cast his vote for the pub as "it's the only place that has a good 20 teams each week, plus it's all digital and a great night."
Brian Hill also voted for The Railway, writing it was "no contest" in his books for the best.
The top vote comes as the pub featured in the Campaign for Real Ale's 'Good Beer Guide 2023', after just two years of opening.
CAMRA praised the pub for its impressive line-up of pints available.
2. The Farrars Arms
Several also named The Farrars Arms on Oldham Road in Grasscroft as their favourite place for a pub quiz.
The pub holds its quiz every Monday at 8pm with cash prizes up for grabs and just £1 entry.
Readers also said they considered the pub's food to be Michelin-star worthy.
3. The Diggle Hotel
The Diggle Hotel, which hosts a pub quiz on the first and third Tuesday of every month, also received several nods from its customers.
Kathy Tomlinson said the hotel's quiz has "loads of rounds, music [and] pies", and described the quiz as "cryptic" as well as coming with free entry and free supper.
Ms Tomlinson also said Uppermill Conservative Club on a Sunday was her second favourite as it's "a quid entry per team" and has a "mystery personality quiz, Play Your Cards Right" as well as music.
She also voted for the Speed Quiz, which starts at 8pm every Tuesday at Upsteps, writing: "Great atmosphere and fab quiz with Annabelle."
Other honourable mentions from readers which received several votes each include The Morning Star in Shaw, Courtyard in Royton, the Horton Arms in Chadderton and The Greyhound Pub in Royton.
The Bear on the Hill also scored well, with Barry McGiffen writing the quiz at the popular alehouse is "an absolute great night".
The Huddersfield Road pub is also home to some of the borough's top pool champions after 'Team Bear' took home a trophy in a national competition last year.
In Oldham town centre, Fox and Pine's Wednesday quiz was described by Kathryn Barber as "fun" while attendees get to tuck into a free supper.
The award-winning Greaves Street alehouse has also just been crowned CAMRA's 'pub of the year' for the third time in a row.
Peter Cooper also recommended The Falconers Arms on Hollins Road for its "old fashioned pen and paper" type quiz, which takes place on Tuesdays.
Meanwhile, Sam Kelly cast his votes for the White Hart at Lydgate, as he said the quiz raises funds for a brass band while the winning team bags £20, as well as The Swan at Dobcross as "cash prizes get pretty high".
The White Hart at Lydgate is the only restaurant in Oldham which featured in the legitimate Michelin guide this year, though it narrowly missed out on a Michelin star.
Still, the guide placed the Saddleworth restaurant as one of 14 top places to dine in Greater Manchester and described the 18th century pub as a "place that constantly evolves".
Its head chef, Nathan Sidebottom, also has experience working in the two-Michelin-star restaurant Midsummer House in Cambridge.
Finally, Keef Lawrence recommended The Front House on Oldham Road in Springhead for its Tuesday 9pm "prompt" quiz, writing that it's "not recommended for wimps".
Other pubs which scored two or fewer votes from readers were:
- The New Ace, Fitton Hill
- The Streetbridge Inn, Failsworth
- Woodhouse Gardens, Failsworth
- Hunt Lane Tavern, Chadderton
- High Crompton Conservative Club, Shaw
- The Park Inn, Shaw
- The Grapes, Lees
Which is your favourite Oldham pub for entertainment? Let us know in the comments down below or on Facebook.
Got a restaurant or pub you’d like us to review or another story idea? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge
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