Hey, party animals — are you ready to take your gatherings to the next level? Whether you're hosting a wild weekend or just looking to spice up a cozy night in with your squad, we've got you covered.
In this article, we're unveiling the holy grail of entertainment: the 15 best drinking games for large groups. Get ready to laugh, cheer, and maybe even stumble a little as we dive into a world of friendly competition and beverage-based fun.
From classics that never fail to deliver to trendy new games that'll have your crew begging for more, we've curated a sensational collection of fun drinking games that will keep the good times flowing. So grab your favorite libation, gather your crew, and let's get this party started!
1. Never Have I Ever
We kick off our list with the timeless classic, Never Have I Ever. Grab a pack of cards or write down a list of "Never Have I Ever" statements, such as "Never have I ever gone skydiving,” or “Never have I ever played Frizbowl.” Each player takes turns making a statement, and everyone who has done the action takes a sip of their drink.
It's a fantastic icebreaker and a great way to learn hilarious and surprising things about your friends — just be prepared for some shocking confessions.
2. Beer Pong
Ah, the quintessential party game — Beer Pong. Set up a triangular formation of plastic cups at each end of a table and fill them with your beverage of choice. Players take turns throwing a ping pong ball across the table, aiming to land it in one of their opponent's cups.
If the ball goes in, the opposing team drinks the contents of the cup. The first team to eliminate all of the other team's cups wins. It's a classic favorite that never fails to deliver a good time.
3. Flip Cup
Get ready for some fast-paced excitement with Flip Cup! Divide your group into two teams and line up plastic cups filled with your preferred beverage along the edge of the table. The first player on each team must drink their drink and then quickly flip the cup upside down by flicking the rim with their fingers. Once successful, the next person in line can proceed.
The team that finishes flipping all of their cups first emerges victorious. This game is perfect for those who love a little friendly competition and a lot of laughs.
4. King's Cup
Bring on the royal revelry with King's Cup, a party game that combines cards and drinking. Arrange a deck of cards face-down in a circle around a large cup in the center. Each card has a corresponding action, such as "Drink two sips" or "Make a new rule."
Players take turns drawing cards and following the instructions. The person who draws the fourth king card must pour a shot of their choice into the "King's Cup" in the center. The unlucky soul who draws the last king must chug the entire concoction. It's a game of chance that keeps everyone on their toes.
5. Drunk Jenga
Add a tipsy twist to the classic game of Jenga with Drunk Jenga. Write fun instructions or challenges on each block, such as "Take a sip of your drink" or "Do a dance for the group."
Players take turns removing a block from the tower and must follow the instructions on the block they pulled. As the tower becomes increasingly unstable, you can only imagine the hilarious messes that will ensue.
6. Fuzzy Duck
Prepare for some tongue-twisting hilarity with Fuzzy Duck. Gather your group in a circle and establish the direction of play. The first person says "Fuzzy Duck" to the player on their left, who must respond with "Ducky Fuzz." Play continues in this manner, with players alternating between "Fuzzy Duck" and "Ducky Fuzz." If someone stumbles or hesitates, they take a sip of their drink.
To add to the chaos, the phrase can be reversed to "Does He?" or "Dosey Huck." This game will have everyone laughing and struggling to keep a straight face.
7. Medusa
Enter the world of Greek mythology with the captivating game of Medusa. Sit in a circle with your friends and choose a "Task Master" to start. The Task Master declares, "Look at Medusa!" and everyone must immediately avert their gaze down at the table.
The Task Master then looks at another player, and that player must quickly raise their head and make eye contact with someone else in the circle. If two people make eye contact, they both take a sip of their drink. It's a battle of quick reflexes and intense concentration.
8. Thumper
Bring the energy up a notch with Thumper, a drinking game that will have everyone moving and grooving. Each player chooses a hand gesture or motion and declares it as their own. The game begins with one player performing their motion, followed by the player to their left, who performs their own motion, and so on.
As the game progresses, players must remember their own gesture and perform it before mimicking the previous player's gesture. Anyone who messes up takes a sip of their drink. It's an exhilarating game that's sure to get the party started!
9. Pictionary
Unleash your inner artist with the lively game of Pictionary. Divide your group into teams and provide each team with a notepad and marker. One player from each team draws a word or phrase without using letters or numbers while the rest of the team tries to guess what it is.
If the team successfully guesses within a time limit, they get to choose a member from the opposing team to take a sip of their drink. It's a game that combines creativity, quick thinking, and a touch of mischief.
10. Roulette
Get ready for a spin of fate with Roulette, a thrilling game of chance. Arrange a circle of shot glasses on a table, filling some with water and others with tequila or another strong spirit.
Each glass is assigned a number, and players take turns spinning a wheel or ball to determine which glass they must drink from. Will it be a harmless sip of water or a shot that leaves you feeling a little tipsy? Let the wheel decide!
11. Straight Face
Prepare for a challenge of epic proportions with Straight Face. Gather your friends in a circle and take turns telling jokes or sharing funny stories. The catch? Everyone must maintain a completely straight face while doing so.
If someone cracks a smile or bursts into laughter, they must take a sip of their drink. It's a battle of willpower and comedic timing that will have everyone trying their best to keep their composure.
12. Multiples
Get your math skills ready for action with Multiples, a drinking game that will test your mental agility. Sit in a circle and start counting in order. However, whenever a number is a multiple of a predetermined digit (e.g., every multiple of five), instead of saying the number, you say a word or phrase.
If someone hesitates, says the wrong word, or fails to catch a multiple, they take a sip of their drink. It's a game that combines arithmetic with a dash of unpredictability.
13. Back to Back
Form pairs and get ready for some hilarious antics with Back to Back. Each pair stands back to back with their partner. One person is designated as the "Task Master" and calls out various instructions, such as "Touch your nose" or "Jump in the air."
The challenge? The partners must complete the task together without communicating verbally. If they fail to synchronize their actions, they take a sip of their drink. It's a game that requires coordination and a strong connection with your partner.
14. Solo Cup
Elevate your drinking game experience with Solo Cup, a game that combines skill and strategy. Set up a pyramid of plastic cups at one end of the table, with a smaller cup filled with your beverage of choice at the top.
Players take turns throwing a ping pong ball in an attempt to knock down the cups. If they succeed, the next person in line must drink from their cup. The goal is to clear the entire pyramid before your opponents do. It's a game of accuracy and a steady hand.
15. Frizbowl
If you haven't experienced the mind-blowing awesomeness of Frizbowl yet, it's time to take a sip and buckle up — Frizbowl is the game that will leave you amazed and thirsty for more. Here’s how to play:
Each side or team gets three epic shots to show off their skills. The goal is to be the first team to reach an amazing 21+ points and claim victory. In a 1v1 game, points go to the catcher, while in a thrilling 2v2 match, the whole team celebrates with points. On the flip side, every lost set — that team has to drink.
Let's break down the scoring system and get those points rolling in:
- Catching the Frizbowl for the first time? That's a cool one point.
- Grab it again for a second catch and score an awesome two points.
- Feeling unstoppable? Catch it for a third time and earn a triumphant three points.
Brace yourself for cliffhangers and tiebreakers — if both teams tie at 21 points, it's sudden death time. The team that drops a hat first takes an extra sip as they bow out. But if both teams zoom past 21 points and aren't tied, the team with the highest score snags the crown and the ultimate bragging rights!
Any Honorable Mentions?
Although the top 15 drinking games are our all-time favs, here are a few honorable mentions that deserve recognition:
- Quarters: Players take turns trying to bounce a quarter off the table and into a cup of alcohol. If successful, they choose another player to drink. If they miss, it's the next player's turn. The game continues until everyone is sufficiently tipsy.
- Drunk Waiter: This game tests your balancing skills. Players must carry a tray with shot glasses filled with alcohol and navigate through an obstacle course or perform certain tasks. If any glasses spill, the player must drink the contents. It's a challenging and entertaining game that will have everyone on edge.
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Buzzed Artist: Similar to Pictionary, but with a twist. Each player takes turns drawing a picture while under the influence. The catch is that they must wear vision-altering glasses, such as drunk goggles, which make it difficult to see straight. The results are often hilarious and lead to many laughs.
A Final Word
Remember, always prioritize safety and responsible drinking. It's essential to know your limits and stop if you feel uncomfortable or too intoxicated. Drinking games are meant to enhance the fun, not to encourage excessive alcohol consumption.
Enjoy the games, enjoy the company, and have a memorable night!
Sources:
From Fraternity Basement to Your Home: The History of Beer Pong | Tufts Observer
Medusa | World History Encyclopedia
Game Changer: The story of Pictionary | The Trail
How to Keep Your Composure: Tips and Tricks to Stay Calm and Collected in any Situation | OATUU