Drinking games have been a staple of social gatherings for centuries, evolving with cultural trends, music, and technology. Whether played at college parties, backyard barbecues, or game nights, these games have shaped how people bond over drinks. Let’s take a nostalgic trip through the decades and explore how drinking games have changed over time.
1920s – The Speakeasy Shuffle
The Prohibition era didn’t stop people from enjoying alcohol—it just made drinking more secretive. Though structured drinking games weren’t as popular in underground speakeasies, patrons often played simple betting games or took part in impromptu toasts and challenges. Dice games and card games like poker were common, with drinks being used as wagers.
1950s – High Society Cocktails & Classic Card Games
The ‘50s were all about elegance and sophistication, with cocktail parties featuring martinis, old fashioneds, and whiskey sours. Drinking games weren’t rowdy but revolved around card games like Gin Rummy and Bridge. If you lost a hand, you might have had to take a sip of your drink—nothing too wild, but a precursor to the structured games to come.
1970s – Quarters & The Rise of Party Games
As parties became more casual and fun-focused, drinking games started taking shape. One of the most iconic games, Quarters, became a hit in the ‘70s. The game required players to bounce a quarter off a table and into a cup, with the loser taking a drink. This era also saw the rise of word-based drinking games tied to television shows or movies.
1980s – Century Club & Power Hour
The ‘80s embraced excess in all things, and drinking games were no exception. This was the era of Century Club (or 100 Club), where participants took a shot of beer every minute for 100 minutes—a true test of endurance. Power Hour followed a similar concept but lasted for only 60 minutes. Games became more daring, with a focus on quantity over skill.
1990s – Beer Pong & Flip Cup Dominate
The ‘90s gave birth to two of the most beloved drinking games of all time: Beer Pong and Flip Cup. Beer Pong, where players try to sink ping pong balls into cups of beer, became a party staple and even sparked competitive tournaments. Flip Cup, a fast-paced relay game, added teamwork to the mix. These games solidified their place as college party essentials.
2000s – Kings & Drinking Roulette
With pop culture booming, drinking games became more creative. Kings (or King’s Cup) gained popularity, using a deck of cards to assign different rules and actions, keeping everyone engaged. Drinking Roulette, inspired by casino games, also took off—players would spin a wheel or use an app to determine their fate. This decade embraced variety, with games tailored to different drinking styles.
2010s – TV & Social Media-Inspired Games
The rise of streaming services and social media led to a new wave of drinking games. TV Show Drinking Games became hugely popular—people would take a drink whenever a catchphrase was said or a cliché happened in a series. Viral challenges and meme-inspired games also became the norm, blending internet humor with classic drinking traditions.
2020s – Virtual & AI-Driven Drinking Games
With the pandemic shifting social interactions online, virtual drinking games surged in popularity. Platforms like Zoom introduced games where people could drink remotely with friends, such as online Power Hour and trivia-based drinking games. AI-powered apps also emerged, creating customized drinking challenges based on prompts and user inputs. Even in-person games have evolved with smart technology, incorporating apps that generate random rules on the spot.
Final Toast
Drinking games have come a long way from secretive speakeasy bets to AI-enhanced challenges. Whether you’re a fan of classic Beer Pong or prefer the latest digital drinking craze, one thing remains the same—these games bring people together for a night of fun, laughter, and maybe a few regrettable decisions.
What’s your favorite drinking game from the past or present? Share your go-to party game in the comments!
If you missed any of our past posts, you can read them here, and don’t forget to look out for next week's blog post; Cocktails That Shouldn’t Work… But Totally Do!
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