The basic scientific principle of group games goes something like this: Competitiveness is directly proportional to the number of alcoholic beverages consumed. The basic scientific principle of nightlife, however, is this: Social anxiety is inversely proportional to the number of alcoholic beverages consumed. Lumping the two together, local bars have dedicated specific nights to plying patrons with drink specials while they play at such diversions as trivia and bingo—thereby guaranteeing an evening of both debauchery and freewheeling one-upmanship.

The newest (and most raucous) of these nights is gong-show karaoke, held at the recently remodeled 15 Romolo in North Beach. For the monthly event, proprietors Scott Baird (above, right) and Aaron Smith (above, left) hire a DJ who tries valiantly to rally reticent bargoers. But 15 Romolo’s magic enabler is its list of $7 specialty cocktails, most of which contain the herbaceous—and potent—spirit Chartreuse. A different trio of judges presides over each event, wielding microphones and a mallet for the nearby gong. The diversion is meant to be lighthearted, but for the greater good, the judges have to draw the line somewhere.

15 Romolo
10:15 p.m.

The players
Slumming musical-theater devotees, cocktail junkies, and celebrated bartenders.

The weapons
The B-52s’ “Love Shack,” Spandau Ballet’s “True,” and the highest scorer of the evening: a pitch-perfect rendition of the Smashing Pumpkins’ “1979.”

The sauce
Shots of Chartreuse cost a mere $5. Step carefully.

15 Romolo St., S.F., 415-398-1359

Elsewhere
The Bitter End's Tuesday trivia night has been running for 14 years in the Richmond, and the minutiae- and booze-obsessed clientele wouldn’t have it any other way. Every Tue., 9 p.m. 441 Clement St., S.F., 415-221-9538

Out with the blue hair, in with the $3 pints of Bass, at Bingo Thursdays at the Mission’s Knockout. Every Thu., 8–10 p.m., 3223 Mission St., S.F., 415-550-6994

Brain Farts, aka Tranny Trivia, is hosted by BeBe Sweetbriar and Pollo Del Mar at the Lookout in the Castro. Their tagline: “Are you smarter than a drag queen?” Every Wed., 7:30 p.m., 3600 16th St., S.F., 415-432-0306