Is This Beijing's Brainiest Bartender? Chad Lager

“Mastermind” is a regular magazine column in which we quiz Beijing’s barkeeps on general knowledge as well as on a subject in which they consider themselves to be a specialist.

CONTESTANT: Chad Lager, Fubar
SPECIALIST SUBJECT: 1980s music

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

The inventor of the Rubik’s Cube was born in which country?
I’m gonna go with Hungary. √

Which Latin word meaning “somewhere else” is often used in police investigations?
Carpe diem? No, that’s not it … X

The 1968 Oscars were postponed for two days following whose murder?
Er, Sharon Tate. Nah, that’s not it. I’m gonna say Bobby Kennedy. Bobby Kennedy or Martin Luther King. Bobby Kennedy. It wasn’t JFK. X

Which tree’s name – also the name of a Beijing cafe – contains all five vowels?
Eh, lotus tree. No, there’s no “a.” And a Beijing cafe? No idea. I’m gonna get skunked. X

What is the former name of Iran?
The former name of Iran would be … Dude, I have no clue. Mesopotamia. Good God. X

SPECIALIST SUBJECT

Which late-’80s band was stripped of their Grammy after being outed as frauds?
So easy! My brothers, Milli Vanilli! √

Which Friends star appeared in the video for Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark”?
Another simple one. Courtney Cox. Married to some crazy dude. √

What was the first video played on MTV?
“Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. √

And on Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing,” who sang the line “I want my MTV”?
[Interrupting halfway through the question] Sting, Sting, Sting. √

Which band sang Top Gun ballad “Take My Breath Away”?
Eh, that would be Berlin! Actually, though, my favorite song of theirs is called “Sex.” Though that isn’t as good as Soft Cell's "Sex Dwarf." √

FINAL SCORE: 6/10

Answers: 1) Hungary 2) alibi 3) Martin Luther King, Jr. 4) sequoia 5) Persia 6) Milli Vanilli 7) Courtney Cox 8) “Video Killed the Radio Star” 9) Sting 10) Berlin

Verdict: OK, those music questions were far too easy. Despite a disastrous general knowledge round, Chad still nabs joint first place. And he was seven beers to the wind at the time of quizzing. Breathalyzing for all Mastermind competitors begins next month.

Fubar. Sun-Thu 2pm-2am, Fri-Sat 2pm-4am. Behind Stadium Dog, Gate 10, Workers’ Stadium, Chaoyang District (6593 8227) 朝阳区工体东路工人体育场东门内10号进口