5 Beginner-Friendly Drinking Games to Try in Your Local Bar

The Best Beginner'Friendly Drinking Games to Play at the Bar

The following bar games are a lot of fun to play, but we can't include them all. If you're looking for some other ideal bar games to include, follow the link for board games, trivia, and more.

1. 21 (Bagram)

Unlike the card game of the same name, you don't need a deck to play the 21 drinking game. For 21, players are arranged in a circle, and the game begins when one player says, "I propose a game of twenty'one...to my right" or "...to my left." The next player starts with the number one.

Each player after the first player can say one or four numbers at a time, with the next player changing depending on the number of numbers called. The game continues until someone makes a mistake (for a moderate drinking penalty) or reaches 21 (for a heavy drinking penalty).

2. Quarters

Quarters is a straightforward, easy'to'learn drinking game that requires at least 1 glass and a quarter for each player. The round starts with a glass filled with alcohol set in the middle of the table. One player will try to bounce the quarter into the glass. If they miss, the next player tries.

If the player doesn't want to give their turn to another player, they can yell "chance." This gives them another try to bounce the quarter in. If they miss a second time, they have to drink from the glass. If they make the glass (first or second time), they choose another player to drink.

3. Never Have I Ever

There's a good chance you've already played this game without alcohol. If you haven't, the premise is simple. Each person holds up both hands and takes turns saying something they've never done. For example: "Never have I ever deleted an unpopular post off of social media."

If the person has done the action, they put a finger down. When turned into a drinking game, players will take sips of their beer instead. The last person that has a glass with alcohol in it wins (at being boring!). If you need some help coming up with questions, use this list of 250.

4. Fingers (Scoff)

Fingers is a game that requires a big drinking glass, like a stein or a slushy cup, and more than 2 players. Each player will donate a bit of their alcohol into the cup and then place their index finger on the cup's rim. The player that goes first will guess how many fingers stay on the cup.

The player will count down by saying "three, two, one..." followed by the number. If the player guesses correctly, they win and are removed from the game. If they're wrong, they stay in. The last person on the cup loses and has to drink the beer in the cup before starting a new game.

5. Power Hour/Boat Race

Power Hour and Boat Race are basically the same game with a few notable differences. When playing Power Hour, players must complete a specified number of shots within one hour. With Boat Race, players must finish their beer pints/steins before the other players at the table.

While these games are a fast, simple way to get drunk, it's important to pace yourself. We're not here to rain on your parade, but rapid alcohol consumption can raise your blood alcohol content to high levels instantly. Be sure to consume alcohol slowly after you play these games.