APT drinking game: Play, rules, and variations explained

Preface

Do you suddenly feel like everyone in your apartment block is playing the APT drinking game? On top of that, the Bruno Mars APT song is playing everywhere you go. Social media did its thing and turned a simple Korean drinking game into something people can’t stop trying. 

If you are hosting friends and want a game that won’t take forever to explain, the APT game fits perfectly. You don’t need any setup or special gear, and nobody has to sit through long rules while the drinks get warm. The rules are simple, and all you need is at least one friend and a drink to get started — just remember to play responsibly. Pace yourselves and prep your body for the night!

What do you need to play APT drinking game?

To play the APT apartment drinking game, you need a minimum of 2 players, but the fun multiplies with a larger group. Everyone should have a drink ready, whether it’s alcohol, water, or even a snack, and you take a sip when it’s your turn.

How do you play the APT drinking game?

Once the group is together, everyone sits or stands in a circle, close enough to reach the center, and puts their hands in. Make sure to get everyone to agree on the drinking penalty before starting.

Step 1: Everyone gathers in a circle

Players stay close enough to reach the center of the circle with their hands, making it easy to stack them. Everyone should also be able to see and hear each other so the game keeps moving.

Step 2: Start the chant in unison

The APT Korean drinking game starts with a unison chant, such as 'Game start.' You can also use apateu to kick off this hand game. The chant sets the rhythm, gets everyone in sync, and is part of what makes the game so addictive.

Step 3: Chant and move hands to the beat

As the players chant "apateu, apateu," they move their hands in rhythm, alternating them in the center of the circle. The group usually taps lightly and stacks their hands while singing along, repeating the chant four times and matching their hand movements to the song's rhythm. Like any other great drinking game, keeping a steady beat is essential, so focus on maintaining the rhythm throughout.

Step 4: Pick a player to call a random number

After the chant, one player calls out a random number, signaling everyone to stack their hands quickly in the center. This stack of hands forms a "tower." You can decide who calls the first number in any way you like, whether it's taking turns, letting the loudest player go first, or whoever reacts the fastest. The number called sets how long the next phase of the game will continue.

Step 5: Stack hands and count to the called number

The participants then start counting upwards, moving one hand from the bottom to the top of the stack with each number. The counting continues until they reach the number that was called out. If the number is high, the game can last much longer. This gives all players plenty of time to enjoy the rhythm and play APT by Bruno Mars and Rose a few times before the round ends.

Step 6: End the round

Once the final number is reached, the player whose hand lands on the top for that number loses and must take the agreed drink. This ends the round, and the next one can start right away. Usually, the player who lost the previous round gets to call out the random number for the next round.

Rules of the APT drinking party game

The rules of the APT apartment drinking game are simple. You can learn and start playing almost instantly. Since it’s easy for someone to miscount or move their hand too soon, players often agree on some common ways to handle these little mishaps. The core rules usually stay the same, but everyone is free to adjust the drinking rules however they like to keep the game lively.

Core gameplay rules

• One hand moves per counted number: Players count in order and can only move one hand to the top of the stack for each number. For example, if the first player moves their hand and says one, the next player moves theirs and says two. The group can count together or have each player call out the number on their turn.

• Hands move from bottom to top unless using variations: Hand movement goes from the bottom to the top of the stack unless you’re trying a variation of the game. Variations can add extra rules or twists for more fun, but in the basic APT drinking game, you can only move your hand to the top once per count.

• Rhythm stays consistent throughout the round: Once a round of the Korean APT hand game starts, the rhythm must remain steady until the round ends. If a player breaks the rhythm, they can automatically lose and take the drink. The rhythm includes both the timing of hand movements and the speed at which you move to the top of the stack.

Drinking rules

• The losing player takes a sip or agreed penalty: Whoever's hand lands on top at the end of a round must take the penalty set at the start of the game. Traditionally, this is a drink, but the group can choose any penalty they like.

• Sip size stays consistent: Everyone should take the same amount for each penalty to keep the game fair and fun. Using regular shot glasses is a good way to measure and avoid giving anyone an unfair advantage.

• Optional escalation for repeat losses: Players who lose multiple rounds can face more penalties, taking more sips for every other loss. The group can decide how much the penalty increases based on the number of repeat losses.

Common group agreements

• No pulling hands early: Players must keep their hands in the stack until the final count is reached and can only move their hand to the top on their turn. Breaking this rule can mean an automatic drink or missing the next round.

• Missed counts result in a drink: If a player says the wrong number or skips one, they take a drink. This adds a bit of pressure, keeps everyone alert, and makes the game more exciting.

• Disputes default to replaying the round: If it’s ever unclear who lost or a rule was broken, the round is replayed. This keeps the atmosphere light and makes sure fun comes before strict regulations.

Different APT drinking party game variations

The APT Korean drinking game is full of fun energy, and you can easily adjust how it’s played to match your group’s vibe. These variations keep the game from getting stale as you add new twists with every other round. They work perfectly whether you’re going for a chill drink or are in a big party mood.

• Speed round: In this version of the APT Korean drinking game, players only get a second or two to move their hand to the top of the stack. The faster pace makes mistakes more likely, which cranks up the tension and the fun. Anyone who is too slow has to take a drink.

• Taboo number: Players pick a number that cannot be said during counting. You can skip it for one round or all rounds. If someone calls out that number, they lose the round, and you can also make them drink for saying the wrong number when moving a hand to the top.

• Clap and stack: Each player must clap once before placing their hand on the stack, or clap when a number is called. Anyone who misses a clap takes the penalty. If multiple people forget, just restart the round and keep going.

• Sing a song before you drink: Losing a round means you entertain the group with a few lines of any song before taking your drink. The APT song by Bruno Mars and Rose works perfectly here. This keeps everyone entertained and extends the game beyond the counting phase.

• Play in reverse: In this variation, players stack their hands from the top down, moving to the bottom after each count. It adds a new challenge, especially after playing the usual bottom-to-top version. If someone slips up, the drinking penalty applies.

• Have a thumb war: After the final count, the two players whose hands are on top battle in a thumb war. The loser takes the drink, adding a competitive twist and a little extra chaos to the game.

Best tips to make APT drinking game feel more authentic

You can always make a few twists to the APT game and make it even more fun, or make the fun last longer. These little changes turn it into more than just a party game and keep everyone entertained.

• Take vitamin supplements before you drink

You wouldn’t want to stop in the middle of the game because of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or other alcohol-induced symptoms. Taking a UPSWING vitamin supplement before you start drinking helps your body handle alcohol better. Supplements replace nutrients like B and C, which alcohol often uses up. This, in turn, helps you reduce hangovers, fatigue, and general weakness the next day. 

• Count in Korean while stacking your hands

 APT is a Korean game, so why not count in Korean while playing? It's a fun way to practice the language while keeping the rhythm of the game.

• Exclaim "geonbae!" before taking a shot

 Geonbae means cheers in Korean and literally translates to "empty glass." Instead of saying "bottoms up," shout "geonbae," then take your drink.

• Drink water in between drinks

Staying hydrated is key when drinking responsibly, since dehydration is the leading cause of hangovers. Sipping water between rounds also slows your alcohol intake and gives your body more time to process it.

• Have some food ready while you play

Even a small snack helps when drinking, as alcohol hits harder on an empty stomach. In Korea, snacks are a natural part of social drinking, so keep some food nearby.

• Play in quick rounds

Boost the energy by playing quick rounds, giving players only a second or two to move their hands, clap, or take their drink. It keeps everyone alert and makes the game even more exciting.

FAQ

1. Is APT Korean drinking game hard to learn?

Not at all. Most players pick up the Korean APT hand game within the first round, and by the second turn, you’ll likely be moving hands in rhythm like a pro. Even the variations that come with extra rules are simple to understand and quick to enjoy.

2. What should you drink while playing the APT party game?

Before starting, you can take some UPSWING vitamin supplement to get yourself ready. It helps your body handle alcohol better and reduces the risk of a hangover the next day. Sip water between rounds as you play to stay hydrated and pace yourself.

3. How many people can play the APT drinking game?

At least two players are needed, but there’s no strict maximum. The game only gets better as more people join. As long as everyone can reach the stack and see and hear each other clearly, you’re good to go.

4. Can you play APT without alcohol?

Absolutely. While it started as a drinking game, APT is flexible. You can swap drinks for soft drinks, trivia, push-ups, or any other fun penalty you like.

5. Why is it called the APT drinking game?

The name comes from the Korean word for apartment, apateu, which is also part of the chant at the start. The stacking of hands represents building floors on top of each other, and it’s called a drinking game because the usual penalty for losing is a drink.

6. Is APT better as a warm-up game or main game?

APT works better as an icebreaker than a main game because it warms up the group. It encourages the players to interact with one another. This way, the social mood is built and you can start to get players playing more exciting games later.