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Sip Happens: The Best Drinking Games for Gen Z Nights In
Whether you're chilling with your besties in someone’s apartment, stuck at a cabin with no Wi-Fi, or throwing a last-minute pregame before hitting the bars, drinking games are a certified vibe. They're chaotic, hilarious, and the fastest way to turn a slow night into a memory you’ll either laugh about forever or completely forget by morning (no judgment).
And no, we're not just talking about beer pong. From old classics to chaotic TikTok-fueled games, here’s your Gen Z-approved lineup of the best drinking games to play that’ll keep the energy flowing and the group chat buzzing.
1. Picolo (App)
Vibe: Group chaos with zero thinking required.
Picolo is the Gen Z drinking app of choice. You just type in everyone’s name and let the game do its thing. It tells you who drinks, who has to act like a cat, or who can only speak in questions for the next minute. Think digital Truth or Dare but faster and messier.
Why it's iconic: No one argues about rules. The app is the boss.
2. Kings (aka King's Cup)
Vibe: Card game meets drinking ritual.
All you need is a deck of cards and a drink. Each card means something: 2 is “You,” 4 is “Floor,” 8 is “Mate.” You draw a card, follow the rule, and keep the circle going. The game ends when the last King is drawn and someone drinks the terrifying “King’s Cup” filled with everyone’s drinks mixed together.
Why it's iconic: Everyone knows it. No one actually remembers all the rules. But that’s part of the fun.
3. Flip Cup
Vibe: Team-based chaos with serious frat energy.
Split into two teams. You chug your drink, then try to flip your cup upside down by flicking the edge. Once you do, the next person on your team goes. It’s fast, messy, and always turns into a screaming match in the best way.
Why it's iconic: You don’t have to be athletic to win, just lucky and slightly buzzed.
4. Never Have I Ever
Vibe: Secrets revealed. Reputations questioned.
Hold up your fingers. Someone says “Never have I ever… snuck out at 2 a.m. for a hookup.” If you have done it, you drink. Simple. Savage. And perfect if you want to expose someone without directly calling them out.
Why it's iconic: It starts chill and ends with someone crying, yelling “You did WHAT in high school?”
5. Rage Cage
Vibe: Absolute panic. Fast hands required.
Everyone gets a cup and drinks in a circle. Two people start bouncing ping pong balls into cups at the same time. If you land it on the first try, you can pass your cup to anyone, which gets chaotic fast. If you get stacked on, you chug and can’t shoot again until you land it.
Why it's iconic: It's like Flip Cup and Panic Attack had a baby.
6. Thumper
Vibe: Low-key unhinged and kinda tribal.
Everyone picks a hand signal. The group claps and starts chanting “What’s the name of the game? THUMPER!” Then it’s on. You do your sign, then someone else’s. If you mess up or hesitate, drink. It gets wild real quick.
Why it's iconic: Pure pressure. No one is safe. Memory and rhythm will betray you.
7. Drunk Jenga
Vibe: Classic Jenga, but cursed.
Write different rules or dares on each block (ex: "Take 2 shots," "Switch seats," or "Speak in an accent until your next turn"). Every time someone pulls a block, they do what it says. The tower falls, everyone drinks.
Why it's iconic: Combines anxiety and alcohol for max chaos.
8. Paranoia
Vibe: Psychological warfare in a whisper.
You whisper a question to the person next to you like, “Who’s most likely to ghost someone after one date?” They answer out loud with a name. Then someone flips a coin. If it’s heads, they reveal the question. If it’s tails, no one knows.
Why it's iconic: Your friendships will never be the same. In the best way.
9. Buzzed (Card Game)
Vibe: Shady card game that exposes everyone.
This game is a box full of "if this is you, drink" cards. Stuff like “Drink if your ex still watches your stories” or “Drink if you’ve ever lied on your resume.” It’s hilarious and mildly offensive, which is exactly what you want.
Why it's iconic: Easy to play. No setup. Maximum drama.
10. Drunk Uno
Vibe: Uno, but your liver suffers.
Same rules as regular Uno, but with drinking penalties. Draw 2 means take 2 sips. Wild card? Pick someone to finish their drink. Someone stacks Draw 4s on you? You’re doomed. House rules vary, but the chaos never does.
Why it's iconic: Uno already ruins friendships. Adding alcohol just speeds it up.
My Wildest Drinking Game Moment
Okay, confession time. One night during a college cabin weekend, we played Kings. I drew the final King, which meant I had to chug the cup filled with a cursed mix of Fireball, IPA, and White Claw. I did it like a champ, then passed out in a hammock outside wearing someone else’s hoodie. Woke up at 6 a.m. to squirrels fighting above my head.
Moral of the story? Know your limits. And maybe skip the Fireball next time.
Play Smart or Regret Hard
Drinking games are fun until someone takes it too far. So hydrate between rounds, eat something before you start, and check in with your friends. It’s supposed to be a good time, not a trauma dump waiting to happen.
Stay wild, stay safe, and stay tuned for more party hacks, Gen Z chaos, and real-life adventures at Woke Waves Magazine where fun meets vibes with a side of responsibility.
#DrinkingGames #PartyVibes #GenZFun #SipHappens #WokeWaves
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