An Unexpected Wednesday Night Tradition

By Rhodes Neuner

Nestled quietly at the corner of Patterson and Pump Road is Rare Olde Times Public House. The restaurant has been a staple of Canterbury Shopping Center for over 30 years. Since March 1, 1994, Rare Olde Times has been a place where locals gather for good food and a sense of community that’s one-of-a-kind.

On most nights, the restaurant and neighborhood Irish pub has a steady rhythm of regulars coming to enjoy a meal, listen to music, or just take a break after a long day, but on Wednesday nights, that all shifts. Reservations are made weeks in advance, and tables are all filled by 7:30 p.m. Everyone’s focus is on one thing: winning the coveted Rare Olde Times gift certificate. Wednesday nights at Rare Olde Times aren’t like any other night; it’s trivia night. The Rare Olde Times website states that it’s “The best and smartest pub trivia in town!” Speaking from experience, I can tell you that is, in fact, true. 

About two months ago, Senior Finn Dooley (’26) had heard about the trivia nights and decided to make up a team. A group of seven Seniors—Dooley, Quinn Pace (’26), Henry Brost (’26), Jack Neese  (’26), Colin McLoughlin (’26), Taylor Jenkins (’26), and I—decided to take a chance. When we arrived, we didn’t exactly blend in. As a group of high schoolers, we were easily the youngest team by decades. The regulars didn’t quite know what to make of us, whether we were just there to mess around or take it seriously. As we were settling in, one woman asked us, “Shouldn’t you all be in school?” We jokingly laughed it off and locked in for our first game.

A variety of menu options.

We quickly realized this wasn’t just any trivia night, with the way teams debated answers, the reactions when someone pulled out an unexpected correct answer, and the confidence of the regulars, who clearly were at the top of the trivia food chain. We quickly realized this wasn’t just a game. After our first round, we decided we had to come more prepared. We were outmatched by the regulars, and for the next week, we practiced, did our research, and came ready to put our names in the ring. Our team name, “The Olde Timers,” started to get recognition as our scores kept getting better and better. As the weeks went on, something shifted. Every Wednesday we would show up, and slowly the regulars began to recognize us. What felt unfamiliar at first turned into a welcoming community that embraced The Olde Timers.

The trivia wasn’t the only reason Rare Olde Times became a Wednesday night tradition. The food plays just as important a role. The menu sticks to classic pub-style food, and everyone has their favorites. McLoughlin always orders the Dublin Burger, saying, “The crispy Irish cheddar cheese adds a unique flavor, making it my go-to.” Pace always starts with the pretzels with Irish cheddar beer cheese, and then gets the chicken tenders tossed in barbecue sauce. “The soft, steamy pretzels are something I look forward to every Wednesday,” he said. Jenkins always goes with the Philly Cheesesteak, no onions or peppers: “Simple is best, and they do the cheesesteak just right.” 

And you can’t skip out on their desserts. Typically, the chocolate brownie à la mode is my dessert choice. The warm brownie topped with a large scoop of ice cream and chocolate sauce complements a successful round of trivia. 

Rare Olde Times might not seem like an obvious choice for a group of high schoolers to hang out on a Wednesday night, but that’s what makes it so special. Between the food, the trivia, and the community, Wednesday nights have become a night we all look forward to. It’s not always about getting the answers right or having the best score, but in the end, it’s about the memories we have made. The tradition we have now started that will hopefully live on even after the Olde Timers head their separate ways for college. 

All photos by Rhodes Neuner.