The Catfish’s annual Pub Poker Walk is making a welcome return in 2025, with a chin-scratching twist.
On January 18, the fun and friendly competition will see teams take to the streets of Fitzroy and surrounds in pursuit of good times, good beer, and playing cards.
If you're new to the concept, it goes like this: through the course of the afternoon, competitors head to each of the participating venues – The Catfish, Beermash, Hippo Bottle and Bar, Little Hop, and Marquis of Lorne – enjoying a pot of beer and sticking a social media post up to prove to the world (and the competition organisers) that you've checked off the venues. In return, you'll receive an official Poker Walk playing card at each stop to stick in your back pocket.
After you've been round all the venues, teams meet back at The Catfish at 6pm, pull out their cards, put together their best poker hand, and the best one wins. On top of that, there'll be extra prizes for best photo, fastest time, and best team name.
Now here comes the twist...
At 6.30pm The Catfish will be hosting a special QI: Beer Edition featuring a panel of top industry minds (they say "experts", but the quizzing should sort that out!).
Your QI host will be media man and Crafty Pint Podcast producer Matt Hofmann, and the panelists will be Maggie Smit from CoConspirators Brewing, Dave Phelan from Mountain Culture, and The Crafty Pint's own James Smith.
Like all good shows in a family-friendly time slot, the QI should last about an hour and be thoroughly entertaining, so grab a beer and a seat and enjoy.
If you're keen for the Poker Walk, make sure you register your team at The Catfish by 1pm for a 2pm start. Winners will be announced after the QI session.
