We’ve reached that point in winter where the Packers season is but a memory and summer seems like forever away, which brings us to cabin fever.
It might take a quick pep talk to get you to want to venture out, and some bundling up once you do, but there’s no shortage of fun and games at Green Bay-area bars, breweries and other venues to help break things up until that glorious wave of summer music washes over us.
There are puzzle competitions, themed trivia nights, bingo and outdoor beer festivals where “a cold one” means something more than an apt description of this winter.
Here’s a rundown of some of the offerings to get you started. Remember, calendars can change and events can sell out, so always check ahead.
FOR FAST-PACED PUZZLE PEOPLE
Puzzles & Pints
When/where: 6-9 p.m. Jan. 29 and Feb. 26 at Sky Lounge at Titletown Brewing Co., 320 N. Broadway, Green Bay
How it works: Teams of up to four people compete to see who can complete a 500-piece puzzle the fastest. Prizes for first and second place. Cost is $40 per team and includes one drink for each player. Register at titletownbrewing.com/event-list.
Puzzles & Pours: Speed Puzzling Tournament
When/where: 2-3 p.m. happy hour and team check-in and 3-5 p.m. competition Feb. 22 at Badger State Brewing, 990 Tony Canadeo Run, Green Bay
How it works: Teams have up to two hours to complete a puzzle. First three teams to finish win prizes. Cost is $40 per team (one to four players); includes one puzzle and four drink tickets per team. Register in advance at facebook.com/BadgerStateBrewing or day of if spots still available.
Puzzle Wars
When/where: 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 29, Feb. 26 and March 26 at Rockwood Terrace at Titletown district, Ashwaubenon
How it works: Teams of one to four players compete to complete Titletown landscape puzzles that are then donated to nonprofits. Free; advance registration required at titletown.com/events/puzzle-wars.
BUNDLE UP FOR THESE OUTDOOR BEER FESTS
Apres-Ski Anniversary Party
When/where: 1-4 p.m. Feb. 7 at Cocoon Brewing, 2233 Kaftan Road, Ledgeview
What’s happening: Brewery celebrates its third anniversary with an apres-ski celebration. What’s that? French for “after ski,” it’s all the socializing and fun that happens after a day on the slopes. The outdoor event will includes games, a beer tent, shotski and fire pits. Hot toddies and food inside the taproom.
Frozen Firkins
When/where: Noon-6 p.m. Feb. 7 at Badger State Brewing Co., 990 Tony Canadeo Run, Green Bay
What’s happening: The indoor/outdoor winter beer fest features an ’80s playlist noon-3 p.m. and bluegrass by WickSnippers 3-6 p.m., more than 14 firkin beers, 4-ounce pours with drink tokens and bonfires. Much of the sampling will be done inside, where there will also be winter warm-up drinks, full-size beers and mocktails. Guests are encouraged to wear ’80s-themed ski lodge gear. Limited $50 VIP tickets include early access and 15 drink tokens; available at facebook.com/BadgerStateBrewing. Free general admission.
Noble Roots Bockfest
When/where: Noon-6 p.m. Feb. 15 at Brew Haus at Noble Roots Brewing Co., 3865 Norrie Drive, New Franken
What’s happening: Third annual indoor/outdoor event features music by Acoustic Mayhem 2-5 p.m., food from The Booyah Shed and special beer releases.
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW: TRIVIA NIGHTS
Themed Trivia Nights
When/where: Doors at 6 p.m., trivia at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays Feb. 12, March 19 and April 16 at Badger State Brewing, 990 Tony Canadeo Run, Green Bay
How it works: Different theme each month: “Stranger Things” Feb. 12, “Now That’s What I Call the ’90s” March 19 and “New Girl” April 16. Free to play; prizes to the top three teams. Team spots are limited and filled first-come, first-served. Trivia Nights typically sell out; advance sign-up is recommended at facebook.com/BadgerStateBrewing.
Think and Drink Trivia
When/where: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Zambaldi Beer, 1649 S. Webster Ave., Allouez
How it works: Teams of up to six people face off during three rounds of trivia for the chance to win beer and swag. Free to play; prizes for first-, second- and third-place teams.
‘Jurassic Park’ Trivia Night
When/where: 7-9 p.m. March 5 at ComedyCity Theatre, 365 Main Ave., De Pere
How it works: Five rounds of trivia cover all the “Jurassic Park” movies and dinosaurs, too. Prizes for the winners. Cost is $9 per person and includes one drink at comedycity.net/tickets; 10% off per ticket for groups of three or more.
If you can’t make it March 5, ComedyCity hosts trivia nights the first Thursday of each month (none in July). Each one has a different theme. The Disney Trivia Night on Feb. 5 is sold out.
DJ Trivia
When/where: 5:15-6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Stadium View Sports Bar & Event Halls, 1963 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon
How it works: Play as a group or individually. Free.
Trivia Nights
When/where: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Station 1 Brewing, 1745 Riverside Drive, Suamico
How it works: Hosted by Quizmaster Trivia. Entry free is $1 per person.
Trivia Nights
When/where: 7-9 p.m. Mondays at Glass Nickel Pizza, 416 Dousman St., Green Bay
How it works: Free to play. First-, second- and third-place winners.
Trivia Nights
When/where: 6:30 p.m. every other Tuesday (next one is Jan. 27) at Replay Sports Bar & Grill, 1731 Fort Howard Ave., De Pere
How it works: Four rounds of 10 questions each. Open to teams of one to four people. Free to play; prizes to each winner.
DID SOMEBODY SAY BINGO!?
Designer Purse Bingo
When/where: Check-in at 6 p.m., bingo at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Hagemeister Park, 325 N. Washington St., Green Bay
How it works: Play 12 rounds of bingo, each with a designer purse as the prize. Cost is $30 for one card or $45 for two cards for all rounds. (Note: This event is sold out.)
Bingo
When/where: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays at Zambaldi Beer, 1649 S. Webster Ave., Allouez
How it works: Ten rounds of classic bingo, with prizes each round. Free to play; one card per person.
Singo Night
When/where: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at Stadium View Sports Bar & Event Halls, 1963 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon
How it works: Think bingo, but instead of listening for numbers on your card, you listen for songs. Singing along is part of the fun but not required. Free to play.
Bingo Loco Green Bay
When/where: 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at EPIC Event Center, 2351 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon
How it works: Billed as “the world’s wildest bingo rave,” the 2½-hour event plays venues all over the country and features dance-offs, rave rounds, confetti blasts and more as part of an interactive stage show. $35. (Note: This event is sold out.)
FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT
St. Patrick’s Day Poetry Experience
When/where: 7-9 p.m. March 17 at Ahnapee Brewery, 1824 Parkfield Court, Suamico
What’s happening: Fermented Words Spring Tour, a spoken-word poetry show featuring James Hamilton, DG Clearing and Pamela Walsh, takes over the private event room for an immersive night of original poetry. Also includes an open mic with local talent. $10 tickets at ahnapeebrewery.com/event/st-patricks-poetry-experience-suamico.
Does your bar, brewery or venue have an event that fits this list? Let me know. Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and feature writer at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 or kmeinert@greenbay.gannett.com. Follow her on X @KendraMeinert.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Cabin fever? Bars, breweries have speed puzzling, trivia, outdoor fests
Reporting by Kendra Meinert, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
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