Throwing a party and need to keep a large group entertained?
Say goodbye to awkward silences and hello to a night of unforgettable fun with our ultimate guide to the best drinking games for large groups! We know you’re tired of the same old Beer Pong and Kings Cup, so we’ve compiled a list of fresh, exciting, and downright hilarious games that will have everyone laughing, bonding, and maybe even revealing a few hidden talents.
We’ve done the hard work for you, scouring shady corners of the internet and over the past 5 years, we’ve hosted countless parties and game nights, testing out over 15 different drinking games with groups ranging from 5 to 30 people. Get ready for crowd-pleasers perfect for parties, social gatherings, and any time you need a high-energy activity.
This isn’t just another list of drinking games; we’ve included detailed instructions, vivid anecdotes, and pro-tips to ensure your next party is the most legendary yet. Get ready to unleash your competitive spirit, embrace a little chaos, and create memories that will have you reminiscing (and maybe cringing) for years to come.
Looking for drinking games for just two or small groups (3-5 players)? We’ve got the perfect list just for you!
1. Beer Pong
Beer Pong is a classic cup drinking game, perfect for large group social gatherings. Two teams face off across a table, each aiming to sink ping pong balls into the other team’s cups filled with beer. Every successful shot equals a drink for the opposing team, and the cup is removed. This competitive party game is easily adaptable for larger groups by setting up a mini-tournament, where teams rotate in and out, playing against each other until a final champion emerges. The rules can vary, adding an extra layer of excitement and strategy to the game. Beer Pong is a recipe for a good time and guaranteed to get the party started!
Imagine a group of friends divided into three teams for a night of Beer Pong. Team 1 and Team 2 face off, with Team 1 landing three consecutive shots. Three members of Team 2 take a swig, and the cups are out. Team 2 rallies, sinking a few balls of their own, but eventually Team 1 emerges victorious. Team 1 then faces off against the fresh Team 3, and the cycle continues. This adds a competitive edge and keeps everyone involved in the action. It’s simple, adaptable, and always a recipe for a good time!
We once hosted a Beer Pong tournament at a friend’s cabin, with over 10 teams competing fiercely. The final showdown came down to an epic trick shot, leaving everyone speechless.
2. Charge It 2
Charge It 2 isn’t just another deck of cards; it’s a passport to a night of unforgettable fun. With 90 unique cards packed with outrageous challenges, hilarious dares, and unexpected shots, this game guarantees non-stop laughter and unforgettable memories.
Got a crew bigger than a football team? No problem! Charge It 2 is designed to keep even the largest groups engaged and entertained. With its fast-paced gameplay and hilarious challenges, there’s never a dull moment. Plus, the simple rules make it easy for everyone to jump in and start playing, no matter their drinking game experience.
Forget complicated rules and drawn-out explanations. Charge It 2 is all about jumping straight into the action. Players take turns drawing a card and following the instructions, which range from hilarious dares to thought-provoking questions and everything in between.
Card Examples That’ll Have You Buzzing:
Black-Owned Excellence: Charge It 2 is more than just a game; it’s a statement. By choosing Charge It 2, you’re supporting and empowering the Black community while enjoying an extraordinary gaming experience. Join the movement #CI2TG!
3. Kings Cup
Kings Cup, also known as Ring of Fire or Circle of Death, is a classic drinking game ideal for large group gatherings and adult parties. This unpredictable card game involves a deck of cards, a central cup (the King’s Cup), and of course, drinks. Players sit in a circle around the King’s Cup, taking turns drawing a card from the deck. Each card rank corresponds to a specific rule, such as making a rule, waterfall, or rhyming. For instance, drawing a Queen designates the player as the “question master,” while a Jack initiates a “categories” round. The tension builds as Kings are drawn, with each player pouring some of their drink into the King’s Cup, increasing the stakes for whoever draws the final King, who must then drink the entire concoction! Kings Cup is a social game filled with laughter, suspense, and unexpected consequences! It’s the perfect party game for a night of hilarious fun.
During a particularly memorable Kings Cup game, a friend of us drew the ‘Make a Rule’ card and declared everyone had to speak in accents. The rest of the game was a hilarious mess of terrible impersonations.
4. DRINKO
Ditch the cards and roll with DRINKO, the wildly unpredictable drinking game from Fairly Odd Novelties! It’s the ultimate revamp of a classic game show, now ready to fuel your next epic night in.
Grab up to five friends, pick your color, and get ready for shot-fueled fun. Drop your token, watch it bounce through the board, and brace yourselves – whoever’s letter it lands on takes the shot!
5. Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever is a classic icebreaker game that’s perfect for large groups and parties. This drinking game without cards is a fantastic way to get to know people better and uncover surprising stories. The concept is simple: one person says something they’ve never done, and anyone in the group who has done it takes a drink. This encourages honesty and a bit of risk-taking, often leading to hilarious confessions and unexpected revelations. Never Have I Ever creates a shared experience and fosters bonding among players, making it a memorable and entertaining choice for your next social gathering.
Imagine someone saying, “Never have I ever sung karaoke in front of a crowd.” Suddenly, half the room erupts in laughter, raising their glasses to take a drink. Now you’ve not only learned something about your friends but also created a moment of shared experience and hilarious confessions. It’s a game of unexpected revelations and plenty of laughs!
Tired of the same old beer pong and King’s Cup? If you want to level up your game night with something fresh, these new (and slightly ridiculous) drinking games are about to blow your mind. Get ready for non-stop laughter, a dash of chaos, and definitely some moments you won’t forget (even if you kinda wish you could).
6. Shot Roulette
Bring the thrill of the casino to your next party with Shot Roulette, the drinking game where luck decides your fate (and how much you drink).
Here’s How to Play:
7. Medusa
While we love classics like Beer Pong and Flip Cup, we’ve found that Medusa is a surprisingly engaging game that gets even the shyest players involved.
Medusa is a drinking game that’s surprisingly intense and engaging, perfect for large groups and parties. This icebreaker game is deceptively simple: everyone starts by looking down at their feet. On the count of three, everyone looks up and locks eyes with someone else. If you make eye contact with someone who is also looking at you, you both shout “Medusa!” and take a drink. The speed and anticipation create a chaotic and hilarious frenzy as players try to avoid getting caught while also trying to catch others out. Medusa is a recipe for hilarious chaos, encouraging quick thinking and humorous interactions that will have everyone laughing.
But here’s the catch: With more people, the chances of multiple eye contact clashes happening simultaneously increase dramatically. It creates this chaotic, hilarious frenzy as people glance around, trying to avoid being caught but also hoping to catch someone out. One minute you’re cautiously making eye contact, the next you’re caught in a three-way Medusa stand-off, drinks flying everywhere. It’s a recipe for hilarious chaos!
8. Fuzzy Duck
Hey party people! Forget Cards Against Humanity – if you’ve got a big group and you’re looking for some serious laughs at your next get-together, I’ve got the perfect drinking game. It’s called “Fuzzy Duck”, and trust me, it gets wild. We’ve incorporated Fuzzy Duck into numerous pre-game rituals for football tailgates, finding it’s a perfect icebreaker to get the party started.
Fuzzy Duck is a simple, word-based drinking game that’s perfect for large group gatherings and parties. This hilarious icebreaker involves players sitting in a circle, taking turns saying “Fuzzy Duck.” The catch? Any player can change the direction of the game by saying “Does he!”, prompting the next person to say “Ducky Fuzz!”. It sounds easy, but the speed and confusion make it much harder than it seems! Fuzzy Duck is a fast-paced game that requires concentration, quick thinking, and a good memory. Any hesitation or mispronounced words result in a drink! With a large group, the laughter is non-stop as players try to keep up. Fuzzy Duck is incredibly entertaining and sure to add a spark to your next social event.
Imagine a group of friends playing Fuzzy Duck. The phrase “Fuzzy Duck” goes around the circle, building up speed. Suddenly, someone throws in a “Does he!” and the direction reverses. People start fumbling, mixing up “Fuzzy Duck” with “Ducky Fuzz.” The laughter is non-stop as players try to keep up, with plenty of drinks being consumed along the way. It’s a simple concept, but with a large group, the speed and confusion make it incredibly entertaining!
9. Most Likely To
Most Likely To is a fantastic drinking game for large groups and parties, especially if you want to inject some playful drama and uncover hidden opinions. This social game is all about judging your friends – in a fun way, of course! One person asks a “most likely to” question, like “Most likely to trip and fall walking up the stairs?” Everyone points at the person they think fits the description, and the individual with the most fingers pointed at them takes a drink. Most Likely To is a great conversation starter, often leading to unexpected answers, hilarious debates, and laughter as you learn more about your friends’ personalities and social dynamics. It’s a fun and engaging game that’s sure to create some memorable moments at your next gathering.
Okay, story time: We played “Most Likely to get lost on a road trip,” and everyone – even his own girlfriend – pointed to Brian. Let’s just say his navigation skills are… questionable. It was the funniest (and most brutal) moment of the night.
Look, not everyone’s a board game geek. Sometimes you need a party game that gets everyone hyped fast, even your friend who still thinks Monopoly is the pinnacle of strategy. That’s where these drinking games come in – they’re so simple, you’ll be playing in minutes, and trust me, the laughs will start flowing quicker than those drinks.
10. Flip Cup
Flip Cup, a staple at college parties, is the ultimate team drinking game, ideal for large groups and always a recipe for a competitive atmosphere. This energetic party game requires two teams lined up on opposite sides of a table, each player with a plastic cup in front of them. The gameplay is simple: the first players on each team chug their drinks and then race to flip their empty cups upside down using just one hand. Once successful, the next teammate steps up, and so on. It’s essentially a drinking game relay race! Flip Cup demands speed, dexterity, and teamwork, making it a thrilling and chaotic experience with serious bragging rights at stake. This classic party game is guaranteed to inject energy and excitement into any social gathering.
To ensure responsible drinking during Flip Cup, we always make sure to provide plenty of water and encourage players to pace themselves.
11. Around the World
Around the World is a card-based drinking game that combines card-guessing with a dash of gambling, making it a perfect choice for large groups and parties. This suspenseful card game involves a dealer placing four cards face down, each representing a different suit: hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs. Players take turns guessing the suit of each card. A correct guess passes the turn to the next player, while a wrong guess results in taking a drink. The ultimate goal is to successfully guess all four cards in a row, making it “around the world.” This challenging game involves luck, strategy, and a good memory as players try to deduce the hidden suits. The tension rises with each guess, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere filled with the potential for epic wins and amusing fails.
Imagine a group playing, the tension rising as each player takes their turn. Someone confidently guesses “hearts,” gets it right, and passes the turn. The next player hesitates, unsure about the next card. They take a gamble with “clubs” – but it’s a spade! They drink, and the turn passes to the next person. It’s a game of luck, strategy, and the potential for some epic fails!
12. Truth or Dare
Few games capture the spirit of playful camaraderie quite like Truth or Dare. A timeless party game that transcends generations, Truth or Dare has the power to transform a simple gathering into a night of unforgettable moments.
The premise is deceptively simple: choose to reveal a hidden truth or brave a daring challenge. But within this simple framework lies the potential for unbridled hilarity and unexpected revelations. A well-placed question can uncover hidden talents or spark fascinating conversations, while a daring dare can push boundaries and create legendary stories.
Imagine a group playing. Someone chooses “truth” and is asked, “What’s the most embarrassing song on your playlist?” They confess, blushing, to a guilty pleasure pop song. The next player chooses “dare” and is challenged to try to lick their elbow. Laughter erupts as they contort themselves into impossible positions. It’s a game of revealing secrets, testing limits, and creating memories that will have you laughing for weeks to come.
We’ve found that Truth or Dare can sometimes get a little too wild, so we recommend setting some ground rules beforehand to avoid awkward or uncomfortable situations.
13. Yahtzee
Yahtzee, the beloved dice drinking game known for its strategic combinations, gets a spirited makeover with the addition of some boozy rules. Drinking Yahtzee retains the core elements of the original game, but with added excitement and risk thanks to the introduction of drinking penalties.
Imagine the thrill of rolling a Yahtzee—five of a kind—knowing that your victory comes with a celebratory (and obligatory) drink. Or picture the groans of frustration as a player rolls five ones, resulting in a downed drink and a setback in the game. Drinking Yahtzee transforms a familiar game into a social experience, where luck, strategy, and a bit of liquid courage combine for an unforgettable evening.
The beauty of Drinking Yahtzee lies in its customizability. You can tailor the drinking rules to match your group’s preferences and tolerance levels. Whether you opt for simple sips for low scores or down-the-hatch penalties for rolling specific combinations, the possibilities are as endless as the rolls of the dice.
14. Spoons
Get ready for a whirlwind of excitement with Spoons, a classic card game that transforms into a hilarious frenzy when combined with drinking. Spoons is all about quick thinking, sharp eyes, and perhaps a bit of luck, making it a perfect party game for large groups.
The tension builds as cards are dealt and discarded, players frantically searching for those elusive four-of-a-kind. The moment someone snatches a spoon, pandemonium erupts as everyone else dives for the remaining utensils. Laughter fills the room as the unlucky player left empty-handed accepts their drinking penalty, already strategizing for the next round.
Spoons is a game of pure adrenaline, where a simple utensil becomes a coveted prize. It’s a game that guarantees laughter, friendly competition, and memorable moments as players navigate the chaotic scramble for victory.
15. Charades
Charades, the timeless game of nonverbal communication, receives a spirited upgrade in its drinking game incarnation. Drinking Charades retains the core elements of the classic game, but with a boozy twist that amps up the laughter and entertainment.
Imagine the scene: a player, fueled by a few drinks, attempts to convey a word or phrase using only gestures and expressions. Their teammates, armed with their deductive skills (and perhaps a bit of liquid courage), race against the clock to decipher the performance. Correct guesses result in cheers and points, while incorrect guesses lead to collective groans and a round of drinks.
Picture this: after a few drinks, Jessica tries to act out “ballerina”. One stumble, a flailing arm, and somehow she completely nails a drunken ballerina impression while crashing into the coffee table. We still cry laughing about it.
Drinking Charades is a game that thrives on creativity and comedic timing. It’s a game that can turn even the most reserved individuals into animated performers, creating a night of unforgettable entertainment.
16. Minute to Win It Drinking Challenges
If you’re looking for a party game that blends outrageous challenges with a healthy dose of competition and boozy fun, look no further than Minute to Win It Drinking Challenges. Inspired by the popular TV show, this game pits players against the clock in a series of wacky tasks, testing their skill, dexterity, and sense of humor.
Picture this: one player desperately tries to stack cookies on their forehead while another attempts to transfer M&Ms from one bowl to another using only a straw. The clock is ticking, the pressure is mounting, and laughter fills the air as players succeed or spectacularly fail.
Minute to Win It Drinking Challenges is all about embracing the absurdity of the challenges, celebrating both triumphs and failures with a hearty cheers and a communal drink. It’s a game that encourages creativity, camaraderie, and, of course, a healthy dose of lighthearted competition.
17. Concoctions with a Kick
Prepare for a night of flavorful experimentation and spirited competition with Concoctions with a Kick, a drinking game that transforms your kitchen into a cocktail laboratory. This game is perfect for foodies and cocktail enthusiasts alike, challenging players to craft delicious concoctions while blindfolded, leading to hilarious results and surprising discoveries.
Imagine the scene: blindfolded players fumble with bottles and shakers, their noses twitching as they try to decipher mystery ingredients. The air fills with the aroma of exotic fruits, spicy liquors, and perhaps a hint of something unexpected. Once the cocktails are complete, the blindfolds come off, and the real fun begins.
Concoctions with a Kick is a game that celebrates the art of mixology, encouraging players to experiment with flavors, push their creative boundaries, and perhaps even discover their new favorite cocktail.
18. Sip-by-Sip Cocktail Challenge
Take your next binge-watching session to the next level with the Sip-by-Sip Cocktail Challenge, a drinking game that seamlessly blends your favorite movies and TV shows with creative cocktails and a whole lot of laughter.
This game is all about creating hilarious drinking rules inspired by the on-screen action. Every dramatic gasp, every iconic catchphrase, every cliché plot twist becomes an opportunity to raise your glass and take a sip of your specially crafted cocktails.
Imagine sipping a “Smelly Cat” cocktail every time Phoebe belts out her infamous tune in Friends, or downing a “Winter is Coming” shot whenever a White Walker appears in Game of Thrones. The possibilities for themed drinks and witty rules are endless, promising a night of unforgettable entertainment.
The Sip-by-Sip Cocktail Challenge is a celebration of pop culture, creative mixology, and good company. It’s a game that turns any binge-watching marathon into a uniquely interactive and hilarious experience.
The Ultimate Guide to Responsible Drinking at Parties
Partying is all about having a good time, but true party pros know that the best celebrations are the ones where everyone stays safe and has fun responsibly. Think of your night as a marathon, not a sprint – pace yourself by alternating alcoholic drinks with water or soda to stay hydrated and in control. Fuel your fun by eating before and during the party to slow down alcohol absorption (and avoid those salty snacks that make you extra thirsty!). Before the party even starts, plan a safe way home – designated driver, taxi, or public transport are all infinitely better than getting behind the wheel after drinking. Remember, everyone’s tolerance is different, so listen to your body, not the pressure to keep up with the crowd. If you’re feeling tipsy, switch to water or a non-alcoholic drink. The buddy system is your superpower – look out for your friends and ask them to do the same for you. By making responsible choices, you’re not just taking care of yourself but ensuring everyone has a truly epic and safe celebration.
