30 Best Drinking Games to Try Out This Year

It’s tough to plan a successful party when the vibe dies down too quickly. You have already made the drinks available and switched on the music, but contrary to people engaging in conversation, they are just awkwardly looking at their phones. It’s a total mood killer, and as the host, trying to enforce the fun usually makes it weirder. The best way to get everyone on the same wavelength is a quick icebreaker. These 30 best drinking games are meant to skip the rigid small talk and to get the room energetic at the beginning of the night, before people get loud or scattered.

30 Best Drinking Games That Are Easy and Fun

Choosing the right game is a bit like being a DJ—you have to read the room. If people at the party are just warming up, skip the competitive games and start with ones that get everyone talking. If you're all crashed on couches, a card game or a "get to know you" game is the way to go. I have broken these down into categories so you can find exactly what fits your night.

a. Best Card Drinking Games (Classic & Crowd-Friendly)

Card games are the "Old Faithful" of the party world. Cards are cheap, portable, and most people already know the basics. Where there are cards (even the sticky ones from 2014), there is a party. These games balance luck with just a bit of strategy. Therefore, they are ideal for keeping people entertained without leaving them bored or tired. 

1. King's Cup: This is the number one game. You put a big cup in the center and lay a deck of cards face down around it. Each card has a rule. For example:

• 2 is for You: Pick someone to drink with.

• 3 is for Me: You drink.

• Waterfall: One person starts drinking, and everyone follows in order. You can only stop drinking once the person before you has stopped. 

• The King: When a King is drawn, pour some of your drink into the center cup.

2. Ride the Bus: This one is a journey. It happens in four rounds: Red or Black? Higher or Lower? Inside or Outside? Suit? If you guess wrong, you drink. The "loser" at the end has to "Ride the Bus," which involves a diamond layout of cards where one wrong guess sends you back to the start.

3. Ring of Fire: Ring of Fire is essentially another name for King’s Cup and follows the same core rules. Some groups add an optional house rule where breaking the circle of cards triggers a penalty, but the base game is still King’s Cup. 

4. Higher or Lower: The dealer shows a card. You predict if the next one is higher or lower. If you get three in a row, you can "assign" drinks to others. If you’re wrong, you sip. It’s low stakes but gets the job done.

5. Pyramid: It is a game in which you arrange cards in a $1, 2, 3, 4, 5$ row pyramid orientation while all the cards are placed face down. The players involved in the game will have their own set of cards. They need to either bluff or say the truth about whether they have the same card as the one flipped on the pyramid. It’s all about the poker face.

6. Circle of Death: This is basically Kings Cup on steroids. The rules are more aggressive, and usually, players are allowed to invent their own rules as they go. It’s high-volume and high-energy.

7. Red or Black: The fastest game in existence. The dealer asks, "Red or black?" You guess. Are you wrong? Drink. Are you right? Give a drink. It is a nice game to play while you are waiting for the pizza to get delivered.

b. Popular Drinking Games Without Cards (Fast Setup)

There are times when you do not have a deck of cards, or perhaps, due to someone spilling a drink, the cards are now a soggy mess. It doesn't matter.

Pro Tip: These games are usually the ones that end up being the funniest because they involve more talking and "social proof" than card games.

1. APT Drinking Game: Everyone puts one hand into the middle and stacks them on top of each other while saying “apateu.” Someone calls out a number. You then move your hands from the bottom to the top while counting. When you reach the final number, the person whose hand it lands on loses and takes a drink.

2. Never Have I Ever: You can hold five fingers out. A person may say, "I have never ever traveled to Europe." In case you have traveled to Europe, put a finger down and take a sip. Once your fingers are all gone, you lose (or keep drinking, to be honest). 

3. Most likely to: You make a fun inquiry, like, "Who is most likely to get a tattoo tonight?" After the count of three, people will all point to the one they reckon will do it. You drink for every person pointing at you.

4. Cheers to the Governor: In this game, players count out loud in a circle from 1 to 21. The person who says 21 gets to pick a number and replace it with a word or an action, like clapping or saying “cheers.” From that point on, every time that number comes up, everyone must do the chosen action or say the word. If someone forgets or messes up, they take a drink.

5. Thumb Master: This is a "stealth" game. One person is the Thumb Master. At any point in the night, they can quietly put their thumb on the table. The last person to notice and do the same has to drink. Thanks to that, everybody has to be alert.

6. Categories: You choose one type (e.g., "Paste Types" or "80s Bands"). You go around the circle naming one. If you repeat an answer or blank out for more than three seconds, you drink.

c. Top Drinking Games for Small Groups (3 to 5 People)

When you’ve only got a few people, you need games that are more personal. You don't want to wait ten minutes for your turn in a giant circle. These games work best with just a few people. No long waits. No zoning out.

1. Flip Cup (Mini Version): This game is simple and perfect for small groups. Each player drinks their cup, places it on the edge of the table, and then flicks it so it lands upright. The first person to successfully flip their cup wins, and in small groups, you can play tournament style, with the winner staying on

2. Truth or Drink: This is for the "real" friends. You ask a deep or scandalous question. The other person either answers it honestly or takes a shot/big gulp. It's a great way to skip the small talk.

3. Medusa: Everyone starts by looking down at the table. On the count of three, everyone looks up at another player. If you make eye contact with someone, the first person to shout “Medusa!” is safe, and the slower person has to take a drink. The game continues this way, keeping everyone alert and laughing.

4. Buzz: We start counting from one and skip the words of multiples of seven or any number that contains seven to say "buzz." If you're playing your turns and you make a mistake, you should take a drink and restart counting from 1.

5. Two Truths and a Lie (Drink Edition): You tell two factual stories and one fib.The group guesses which is which. If they get it right, you drink. If you fool them, they all drink.

d. Fun Drinking Games for Couples

Whether it’s a date night or just a "chill at home" Friday, these games are designed for two. They can express happiness, rivalry, or adventurousness instead of being so serious.

1. Drunk Jenga: Go out and find a Jenga set for cheap and use the blocks to write the rules. "Take a sip," "Ask a secret," or "Give a massage." In fact, it adds more tension to the tower of blocks falling. 

2. Question Game: You take turns asking questions related to trivia or to "how well do you know me". Wrong answer? Take a sip. It’s a fun way to realize you don't actually know what your partner's favorite childhood cartoon was.

3. Sip or Strip (Optional): This is the "adults only" version of any basic game. If you lose a round, you have a choice: take a drink or lose an item of clothing. Definitely not one for the family reunion.

4. Who Knows Me Better: If you’re hanging out with another couple, this is the ultimate "double date" game. Partners compete to see who knows the most about their SO. The "loser" drinks.

e. Best Drinking Games for Adults (More Intense or Strategic)

If you’re looking for something that requires a bit more than just luck, these "varsity" games are for you. They require coordination, stamina, and occasionally, a very large table.

1. Power Hour: These games are not for the faint-hearted. The main target is to swallow one shot of beer each minute for 60 minutes. Initial thoughts may be that it's easy, but if we consider it mathematically, that becomes about 5 to 6 beers in an hour.

2. Rage Cage (Slap Cup): This is complete madness. The equipment is two ping pong balls and two cups. The must is to throw the ball into the cup as fast as you can. If you succeed at the first try, you can choose any person to pass it to. If someone to your left finishes before you, they slap your cup away, and you have to take a new cup and drink. It’s loud, fast, and very competitive.

3. Beer Die: It is a skill and scoring game. Players take turns tossing a die so it bounces on the opponent’s table. If the opponent fails to catch it, the thrower scores a point. Drinking is optional and usually used as a penalty, but the main goal is to score points, not just drink.

4. Shot Roulette: You need to fill 6 shot glasses. 5 should be filled with water, and 1 with vodka (or tequila). Mix them up. Everyone takes one. It’s the ultimate game of "luck of the draw."

f. Must-Try Drinking Games for Every Occasion

Some drinking games work just as well on the couch as they do at the table. They are perfect for a relaxed night in, keeping the fun going without needing a big setup, perfect for lazy evenings when you still want a little chaos.

1. Eurovision Drinking Game: You’re not really living if you watch Eurovision without a drink. Each time there is a new costume, a new key, or someone says, "Thank you, Europe!", you drink.

2. Movie Drinking Games: Pick a movie like The Big Lebowski and drink every time "The Dude" says "Abide" or "Man." Or watch a horror movie and drink every time someone makes a stupid decision (you’ll be finished before the first 20 minutes are up).

3. Sports Drinking Games: Whether a match in the Super Bowl comes or some local game, then decide on the rules. "Drink every time there are ads for a truck," or "Drink every time the commentator says a player has 'grit.'"

4. House Rule Game: This is a passive game. When we start the night, a person creates a rule (e.g., "Only your left hand can hold the drink"). If you are caught using your right hand by anyone, you have to drink.

How to Enjoy Drinking Games While Being Responsible

Drinking on an empty stomach usually ends the same way: you feeling rough way earlier than planned.

Why? Well, when caught up in the excitement of a long game night, it is easy to lose track of intake until it’s already too late. That is why giving the body a head start with a supplement before heading out can be a game-changer.

Some people take something like UPSWING before the first drink, just like they’d eat first or grab water. It helps the night go more smoothly. Taking it right before the first drink—slotted into the routine alongside eating a meal or grabbing some water—sets a better pace for the evening. It doesn’t take away from the fun at all. It just makes the next morning a lot easier to deal with.

FAQ

What is the most fun drinking game for large groups?

In truth, the most suitable option for a large group is Kings Cup (or Ring of Fire). It has a very good form of chaos since all the players take part in it at once. In the case you're looking for a more dynamic choice, Flip Cup is perfect as it is team-based and makes the enthusiasm high.

Can drinking games be modified to be non-alcoholic?

Yes. And honestly, it’s often more fun when people stay sharper and actually remember what happened. Rather than having beer, you can easily choose soda, iced tea, or even the most disgusting drink like "suicide soda". The adventure is in the game itself, not merely the drink you have.

What are the easiest drinking games to learn?

Never Have I Ever is the most straightforward game ever. No rules to remember, just talk! Buzz is an easy one another. Where players just count in a circle and replace certain numbers with a word. You're practically a pro if you can count to ten.

What drinking games do not require cards or equipment?

Twenty-One or Categories is a game you can play anywhere. You just have to decide on a topic, such as "Car Brands" or "Action Movies," and go around the circle until someone cannot continue. You only need a drink and some friends around you.

Are drinking games safe to play?

They’re as safe as you make them. The problem is that people get competitive and drink way faster than they usually would. As long as you’re looking out for each other and not forcing anyone to overdo it, you’ll be fine.

How do you slow down a drinking game if it gets too intense?

Just call a "half-time." Everyone grabs a snack or a glass of water for 15 minutes. Another trick is to change the rules so that the winner gets to pick who drinks, or just switch to smaller sips for a few rounds.

What are the best drinking games for beginners?

Most Likely To is perfect because it’s basically just a conversation starter. It’s low-pressure and helps people get comfortable with each other without any complicated "kings" or "jacks" rules to remember.

Can drinking games be played without alcohol?

Yeah, totally. You can even make it a "dare" game where the loser has to do something embarrassing instead of taking a shot. It usually ends up being funnier because everyone actually stays sharp enough to remember what happened.

What is a good drinking game for house parties?

Beer Pong is the king of house parties. It’s basically a spectator sport, so even the people not playing can watch and cheer. It gives the party a focal point and keeps people moving around.

How long do drinking games usually last?

Most rounds wrap up in 15 to 20 minutes. If a game drags on longer than that, people usually start getting bored or too messy. It’s better to keep the rounds short and keep switching it up.

What should you do before playing drinking games?

First, eat a solid meal—don't even think about playing on an empty stomach. Also, it’s smart to take UPSWING vitamins before you start. It’s a simple pre-game move that helps your body handle the night better so you’re not a complete wreck the next morning.