Ed. Note: Ballard After Dark is a new online column on the neighborhood's nightlife by Ballardite Lindsey Johnson.

Ask anyone about local nightlife, and inevitably they tell you about the late-night weekend scene with crowded bars and restaurants, cabs home and sometimes that dreaded hangover.

But, what about those five nights in between the weekends when our brains crave a break from work and our regular routines? Is there something for us to do that gets us out of the house without spending a lot of money or being out late?

The answer is yes, thanks to bar trivia nights.

Many local bars and restaurants hold trivia nights during the week, a perfect way to get away from the TV, meet with friends and have some fun.

The best part? It’s cheap! Anywhere from $0 to $10 a team, with typically up to six people.

Share a plate of appetizers and a pitcher or two of beer, and walk out spending less than if you had gone to a movie.

Plus you don’t need to dress up or take a cab, and you are home in time to get a good night’s sleep.

You're sold on this idea aren't you? So, here are some tips on who to recruit for a successful team.

First, everyone knows that one person who seems to be an endless source of random facts and information.

They can answer more than three Jeopardy questions, and for some reason know not only that the 1956 Summer Olympics were in Melbourne but that the gold medal winner of the mens field hockey competition was India. (“What?” they reply. “It was briefly mentioned on a History Channel show three years ago.”)

Next up is the science/environmental guru since there are certainly questions dealing with topics like the average rainfall of some jungle, the periodic table or ligaments in the knee joint.

The third key player is pretty easy to find – a guy.

I say this because sports, weapons and cars are three very common trivia categories, and the majority of my female friends do not know what kind of gun a Mossberg is.

Last, but certainly not least because I myself tend to fall into this category, is the current gossip fiend.

This is someone who reads the entertainment blogs and knows the name of the first reported mistress – Rachel Uchitel – of Tiger Woods. (No googling for me!)

Trivia nights love to add in current news, so read up, especially articles about entertainment and political scandals.

If you read that last paragraph and are thinking to yourself, “Meh, trivia is not for me. I am not a science geek, I remember nothing from U.S. history class, and I never have time to read up on politics. I don’t fit into any of those categories,” fear not!

I personally guarantee that you will have a blast and will be good for at least one question, and it will be an important one. Yes, that is right, I guarantee it.

Every trivia team I have participated on has one person that complains they know none of the answers, then when it counts most, are quick to name Jem’s holographic computer, Synergy.

Also, there are lots of questions on music, movies and food, and two of my favorite trivia hotspots, Lockspot Café and Conor Byrne Pub, also offer between-round games that have nothing to do with answering questions.

So get off your couches, gather some friends and hit up one of the local trivia joints to unleash your competitive spirit because Ballard offers some of the best trivia around.

A good Web site to check times and schedules is www.quiznight.net. If you have any tips, recommendations or trivia answers you are especially proud of knowing, be sure and post them in the comments.

Lindsey Johnson is a devoted Ballardite who loves spending time reading, discovering local eateries and exploring the nightlife Ballard and surrounding areas have to offer. To offer ideas on the latest and greatest activities, email her at ballardafterdark@yahoo.com.