Liam McAtasney

Liam McAtasney was born in Ireland and is the business owner, Quizmaster, and the guy who refills the water cooler at Brainstormer's San Francisco H.Q.

He has been at the forefront of the pub trivia business since 1996, when most people in the U.S. did not even know what a Pub Quiz was. Prior to that he worked stints that included newspaper delivery round and removing scratches from those old 33 rpm vinyl records.

During university days in Belfast (just a few years ago!), Liam and his roommates would venture out to the pub on damp Monday evenings to give it their best at the Four in Hand, occasionally winning a prize and the bragging rights.

Liam is actively involved in the day-to-day business of Brainstormer, although he yearns for a sandy beach, blue seas and a cold drink in his hand (all at the same time!).

Bar owners, and corporate event planners, can get in touch with Liam to host a pub quiz or corporate trivia party with a difference. We are also keen to hear from would-be quiz hosts, located anywhere in the U.S., who are interested in partnering with us to expand Brainstormer's quiz service. Click here for contact details.

Brainstormer’s motto: ‘Educating America, one bar at a time!’

Mark Walshe

Rarely is there a night that Mark Walshe is not in a bar (pitching trivia questions).

Originally from Harlow, Essex, Mark lived in North East London in his early twenties. His interest in broadcasting originated in his rock and roll bands ‘Some Other Day’ and ‘The Tender Trap.’

He much prefers people mistaking him for Jimmy Page than Simon Cowell, which is the main reason that he hasn't had a haircut in some time!

Mark writes and performs his own songs, which he dearly hopes won’t remind you of Donovan!

Stop by and play Wednesdays at O'Neill's Irish Pub (San Mateo), and Thursdays at Elephant & Castle in San Francisco.

Rick Tosh

Rick Tosh has always had a passion for music.

In the early 90s, Rick landed a job at WKSS-FM in Hartford for ‘Savage in the Morning.’ He has also worked as producer for the ‘Sebastian in the Morning’ on WCCC-FM in Hartford, as a Production Assistant on the ‘Chevy Chase Show,' and for movie Director Peter Bogdanovich on ‘This Thing Called Love.'

Rick lives and works in sunny Sausalito in the apparel industry. He owns a party DJ company, is a regular host on The Shopping Channel, does voice over, print and TV commercial work. Rick is also an ordained minister AND can DJ your wedding. Mention 'Brainstormer' for a special rate!

That’s his life in a nutshell, so far. More info. at ricktosh.com

Buy Rick a top shelf Anejo Tuesdays at Finnegan's (Novato), or Thursdays at Rogue Alehouse.

Chris Turner

Born at an early age, Chris Turner knew his calling was to be something cool like an astronaut or a sports team mascot. After a series of setbacks on SATs, vision exams, and a questionable score on something called a ‘behavioral aptitude evaluation,’ Chris decided to enter the Pub Quiz arena.

In his life beyond the emcee microphone, Chris works in the television industry and hosted an outdoor adventure travel show before the network thought better of it and moved him to the side of the camera that *doesn't* have a lens. Chris currently produces a PBS documentary series in San Francisco and lives in the beautiful foothills of Oakland.

You can observe Chris in his natural habitat (just don't tap on the glass!): Mondays at Henry's in Berkeley.

Christine Buchheit

Originally from Germany, Christine has lived and played trivia in Ann Arbor, Boston, Chicago and now San Francisco, where she finally decided to take the nerdiness to the next level and behind the mic.

By day, she is in her last year (of the second round) of grad school, and working as a psychotherapist and researcher. Like a true stats geek, she knows that she has spent 1,350 hours on airplanes and has seen 11% of the world. Like a true psych nerd, she loves people and hearing their stories. Combine the two and you can see why Christine would want to work at a bar hosting pub quizzes.

You can find Christine hosting the weekly San Francisco pub quizzes at Swank on Mondays, Cable Car City Pub on Tuesdays, and Pizza Inferno on Thursday nights.

Bob Deeken

When Bob Deeken lived in San Francisco, he played and hosted Brainstormer quizzes for years. (He has dozens of t-shirts and other quiz prizes to prove it!)

So, when Bob relocated to Seattle in search of more rain, it was only natural that he would help Brainstormer expand into that market. Bob also met Brainstormer's tough job requirements. Namely, he had a PA system, a working car, and likes to hang out at bars!

Bob's day job is making radio commercials for ESPN affiliate 1380 KRKO in Everett. He has also worked as a DJ for Seattle's 103.7 The Mountain.

15-year-old gamers might recognize him as the voice from the Bungie Podcast.

You can find Bob Wednesdays at Pyramid Alehouse.

Dan Shapiro

Dan Shapiro is a performer originally from the Bay Area. He has been a trivia nerd all of his life, and has contemplated listing Wikipedia as a significant other on more than one tax form. Previously he has been a San Diego tour guide on the least environmentally safe double-decker bus in the world, as well as being the host of the Sea Lion show at a major marine amusement park that rhymes with PeaTwirled. Currently, he works at a summer camp teaching children to disrespect their elders.

Dan hosts Mondays at Asiento in San Francisco's Mission, and Tuesday nights in the Clubhouse Bistro at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City, CA.

Dave

Dave has never met an obscure fact he didn't like.

After running College Bowl tournaments at his university and designing trivia nights for his alumni association, he moved to San Francisco and helped lead pub quiz teams to league victory at two of Brainstormer's bars.

He now combines his three loves of trivia, beer, and the sound of his own voice by writing questions and hosting quizzes every Monday at Nickies Bar, and Tuesdays at Martin Mack's.

Hailee Glynn

Hailee is our representative in the San Diego area, and she brings a great energy to hosting and having fun with the crowd every Thursday night at Elephant & Castle on North Harbor Drive.

Hailee also hosts events for our corporate clients in the San Diego area. You can learn more about this option HERE.

Lauryn

Lauryn is a born and bred Bay Area resident who has called San Francisco home for over eight years.

She supports her cocktail habit by working at a little start up in SOMA, but is confident the day will come where she can leisure like a real woman - in a wide brimmed hat in Brazil, or other exotic location.

Until then she will continue to attempt crossword puzzles on Sunday nights and, if she's feeling brainy, indulge in a little 'treadmill trivia' at the gym with her bestie Alex Trebek. Her favorite word is 'Cheers!'

Show off that useless information you have with Lauryn Wednesdays at Bus Stop Bar on San Francisco's trendy Union St.

Mark Baker

Mark grew up on the mean streets of Orange County but at the age of 21 decided it was best to head to the land of free love and friendship, San Francisco.

After graduating from SFSU with a major in having fun and a minor in Broadcasting, Mark took his skills to KOFY TV where he does it all: he sits on the KOFY TV couch while hosting you through the programs, interviews people on the streets, and even produces Creepy KOFY Movie Time (plug, Saturday nights at 11).

When not working or reading trivia, Mark enjoys the finer things in life; hockey (GO SHARKS) traveling and kickball.

Meet Mark Tuesday at Monaghan's, and Wednesdays at West Portal Dubliner in San Francisco.

Amanda Walker

Amanda has known way too much about music from before she was born and can name all the U.S. presidents in order in about a minute. Neither of these skills has earned her a decent living (okay, it did get her on Jeopardy once! :)), but trivia is still her passion! :)

Amanda hosts the Monday night Pub Quiz at Elephant & Castle in Seattle.

Colin Sjostedt

Originally hailing from Boston, Colin (DJ Coleo) transferred to UC Santa Cruz to slug it out with bananas and create a master race of like minded petite Swedish Jews.

He's always had a love of music, which naturally lead to college radio, pirate radio, and a few years stint as a wedding dj. When not behind a microphone you can catch him on the ultimate Frisbee field, riding his road bike, or showing his photography several times a year at various galleries. You can see his work at sweetham.com

Catch Colin putting his golden throat to work every Wednesday night at Danny Coyle’s in San Francisco’s lower Haight.

Kendall Rose

After graduating with a degree in Economics, Kendall wound up working a desk job at a bank. But finding much more joy in playing Pub Trivia than in processing loans, she decided to quit working, move back in with her parents, and play trivia full time.

When she's not at the bar, she's in the kitchen practicing for the day she challenges Cake Boss in a throw down. After months of playing around, Mom and Dad have been bugging her about getting a real job. So, she is now doing what she loves most - keeping the competition in the kitchen and the fun in the bar!

Come and play Brainstormer with Kendall Thursdays at The Crown Pub in Danville.

Alex Hall

Modern-day historians are still working on compiling a summary of the (so far) colorful history of Alex. Stay tuned for more information! However, you can rest assured that he hosts a great pub quiz every Wednesday at Redcoats in Pleasanton.

Brian Fitzgerald

Brian started hosting for Brainstormer upon moving to New York City from Arlington, VA, where he was a long-time quizzer at Ireland's Four Courts.

He now combines his two passions of real estate and trivia by hosting corporate events for Brainstormer in The Big Apple, and running the weekly pub quiz at Fred's in Manhattan.

Alisha Chambers

Alisha is from Santa Cruz and loves a day at the beach playing volleyball and barbecuing with friends. She is a huge fans of the SF Giants, and also enjoys playing a round of golf.

Besides co-hosting the pub quiz Tuesday nights at Crowne Plaza in Foster City, Alisha also provides the extra smiles at Brainstormer's South Bay and Silicon Valley corporate events.

Natalie Cooney

Natalie is from New Orleans, and is a newcomer to San Francisco, where she is studying Business Administration with a focus in marketing.

She loves kayaking, rockclimbing, skateboarding, and football, and is a lifelong New Orleans Saints fan. During her freshman year of college, Natalie had a great time playing a weekly the pub quiz at a pizza joint with a group of friends.

She now continues her love of quizzes by co-hosting the Thursday pub quiz at Elephant & Castle, and assisting at Brainstormer's corporate events.

Miranda Forcier

Miranda Forcier began performing in Sacramento, California, and has been featured in many commercials, short and full length films, as well as print ads.

While she loves sports and figure skating, her real passion has always been dancing. Miranda got enrolled into Natomas Charter Performing and Fine Arts Academy, where she danced up to 30 hours a week, in Modern dance, Jazz and Ballet. Her senior year she traveled with the Blackrock Dance Company of Natomas Charter.

She now attends Boise State University majoring in Communications and Minoring in Dance. She loves pub trivia and co-hosting Brainstormer's corporate events.