McIntyre's Pub is serving more on the menu these days than just liquor and bar food: The Toms River bar is serving knowledge.
"We're the first bar, officially, to start PubStumpers in New Jersey," said game hostess Kristy Guenther, 26, of Toms River of a quiz game played at the bar.
For those who haven't heard of PubStumpers before, here's a crash course:
McIntyre's Pub patrons started playing in May 2007. The game is popular in Canada, and much information can be found about it on MySpace.com, Guenther said.
"The first season was a big hit," she said.
When the game started at the Route 37 bar, there were about four teams. Now there are about nine teams that come out and play religiously, Guenther added.
PubStumpers participants show up every week for games, which are held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays, she said.
Most of the players are locals from Toms River, Lacey and Berkeley. The game is free to play, and players don't have to stay and play for the entire season, Guenther added.
While the game is about competition, that is not the main focus.
"It's mostly about having fun. On a good night, we can have 75 to 80 people," she said, if all teams are present.
PubStumpers rules
Participants can form or join a team. Teams receive a questionnaire booklet and a picture booklet. Guenther mans the microphone, reading off questions.
There are a total of eight rounds. Players answer fill-in-the-blank questions, pick from multiple choices, identify a picture or name music clips, Guenther said.
Teams have three opportunities during the game to win McIntyre's Pub gift certificates, "which is good, in case people come in late in the game," she said.
Teams can win individual rounds, but the overall winner is determined at the end of the game.
Food and other features
There's more to McIntyre's Pub than PubStumpers. It has more than 20 TVs, so sports fans don't have to worry about missing a big game. The bar also has pool tables and darts.
When it comes to food, the menu at McIntyre's includes a range of appetizers, quesadillas and sandwiches, as well as beef, chicken and seafood entrees.
As for entertainment, McIntyre's claims on its Web site that there is something happening every night. Regular events include Big Baby Ernie performing on Mondays and karaoke night on Tuesdays.
Upcoming music acts at McIntyre's include the Mike Dalton Band (Oct. 11), Soul Project (Oct. 15), the Matt Noffsinger Band (Oct. 17) and Juggling Suns (Oct. 24).
Kristy Guenther hands out beads prior the first round of PubStumpers at McIntyre's Pub in Toms River. Photo by Robert Ward
