Nothing says a “night to remember” quite like fun and interesting bar games.
Whether you deck your venue out with arcade games and a bowling alley or have a shelf of board games and cards for guests, a few games can transform your venue. Not only does this make things more fun for your guests, but it can also help you sell more drinks and book more events at your venue.
If you want to give your bar the X factor, then here’s our guide to bar games you should consider.
Understanding the Bar Game Landscape
Bar games have become a popular and fun addition to bars, breweries, and cafes, transforming these places into lively social hubs.
From classic bar games like darts and pool to modern board games and trivia nights, games provide a fun, interactive experience that appeals to diverse groups. Something as simple as adding a fun game to your venue can attract a lot more bargoers, or encourage your customers to order a few extra beers.
Including bar games helps you cater to the growing trend where customers are after more than just drinks and food. They want to experience a more engaging social outing.
The Evolution of Bar Games
Bar games have evolved a lot over the years.
You could say the first bar games started in ancient Greece, where people played Kottabos – a game involving tossing wine sediment at targets. Fast forward to the 17th century, and English pubs featured games like backgammon.
Today, the bars include a wide variety of game options, from giant Jenga, cornhole, and team games to arcade games or just a classic pool table.
The way bar games have changed reflects how social preferences have changed and how there’s now a greater desire for more interactive and memorable bar experiences.
Why Customers Enjoy Playing Games at Bars
There are many good reasons to include games in your bar venue, and finding the perfect game can help you attract more customers or encourage patrons to stay longer and order more drinks.
Create an Engaging Atmosphere
Bar games create an interactive and dynamic environment in your venue. They encourage more social interaction and make it easier for people to bond and strike up conversations. This social aspect often leads to patrons having more memorable and enjoyable visits, which can help to create a sense of community within the bar.
This lively atmosphere that games create can transform a bar into a vibrant and fun place. The right game for your venue helps create an energetic vibe that attracts others looking for a good time. This atmosphere encourages customers to stay longer, which often results in customers spending more on drinks and food.
Having unique and engaging games can differentiate your bar from the competition. Something as simple as a shelf of dice games or board strategy games can give your venue a major competitive edge. This is something you can use in your bar’s marketing strategy.
Broaden Your Target Market
Games can also help your bar appeal to a diverse demographic. They attract college students, families, and groups of friends, which could be a great way to broaden your bar’s customer base. Regular game nights or tournaments can build customer loyalty, making people more likely to return and bring friends. This is an easy way to generate repeat business.
And for your customers who prefer not to drink alcohol, games provide an alternative form of entertainment, which makes bars more inclusive. This is particularly relevant now, as non-alcoholic beverages have become more popular and sober lifestyles are more common.
All of this is beneficial for a regular bar, but these benefits become even more clear if your bar holds events. As an events venue, having a selection of bar games available can make your events far more enjoyable and make your venue a more exciting option.
For example, including outdoor games at a wedding venue while the married couple takes photos is a great way to turn a potentially dull period into an exciting highlight of the event.
Classic Bar Games That Never Go Out of Style
No matter what kind of bar venue you run, what your space looks like, or what type of target audience you’re looking to attract, including classic bar games can always be a good idea.
Here are some of the best ideas for bar games for all kinds of venues to try.
1. Darts
Darts is a quintessential bar game that brings a touch of tradition to any venue.
It’s simple to set up and only requires a dartboard and a clear wall space. It's perfect for small to medium-sized bars where customers can enjoy casual competition. And if nobody’s playing, your dartboard won’t get in the way at all. You can also easily take it down when decorating your venue for an event.
2. Pool Table
Adding a pool table to your venue always attracts a crowd looking for a laid-back and interactive night out.
It's perfect for larger bars and pubs with enough space to accommodate the table and cue sticks. Pool tables are great for encouraging social interaction and friendly competition. Once people start playing, they’ll often stay longer and enjoy more drinks.
Pool tables can also help to give venues a classic, timeless vibe.
3. Shuffleboard
Shuffleboard is a game that offers a unique blend of skill and strategy, making it a popular choice for upscale bars and breweries with enough space.
The game involves sliding pucks down a long, smooth table to score points. Anyone can play it, and the game can get pretty competitive.
Shuffleboard appeals to a wide age range, and it fits well in all kinds of venues without looking “tacky”. And as shuffleboard games typically entertain a bigger crowd, this is the perfect addition to any event venue.
4. Foosball
Foosball tables bring a fast-paced, energetic vibe to any bar.
This classic bar game is perfect for smaller, more relaxed venues because it doesn’t require much space and can be played by two to four people. However, it’s not the most upscale game, so if your venue is focused on events like luxury weddings or corporate functions, you might want to give the foosball table a miss.
Foosball matches are quick and competitive, which makes the game a great icebreaker and a fun way to engage customers. It's particularly popular in sports bars and pubs.
5. Air Hockey
If your venue has enough space, then air hockey is a fun choice for giving your bar an edge. It’s an especially fun game for bars with a modern or arcade-like atmosphere.
Air hockey is easy to pick up, making it accessible to all customers. It’s also not the most common bar game, so it can be a good option if you’re looking for a statement bar game that sets you apart from the competition.
6. Giant Jenga
Giant Jenga is a real crowd-pleaser that adds a playful element to any bar.
The oversized blocks and towering structures aren’t only fun to play with, but they create a spectacle in your venue that attracts both players and spectators.
This game is ideal for outdoor patios or spacious indoor areas where guests can enjoy a casual, yet engaging activity. Giant Jenga is great for creating a social atmosphere, and encouraging interaction among customers as they build and topple the tower.
It’s also easy to pack away and can add a brilliant social factor to any kind of event.
7. Ring Toss
Ring toss is a simple, yet challenging game that can be set up almost anywhere in your venue. It’s perfect for bars with limited space.
The aim is to toss rings onto pegs, and it’s a game that customers of all ages can enjoy. It's particularly well-suited for outdoor areas or casual bars looking to add a touch of nostalgic fun. You can also organize ring toss competitions for a fun event idea to add to your bar.
8. Cornhole
Cornhole is a popular outdoor game for bars with enough outdoor space or beer gardens.
The game is easy to play and involves attempting to toss small bean bags into a hole in a sloping board. It encourages a relaxed, social environment. It’s great for summer months or regions with good weather, and it’s the perfect game to add to any kind of event your bar hosts.
9. Trivia Nights
Not all bar activities require physical games and installations. Trivia nights are a fantastic way to draw in groups and create a lively, interactive atmosphere in your bar, and you don’t need to purchase any kind of game setup.
Hosting trivia competitions on slower nights is always a good way to boost business by encouraging patrons to stay longer and order more food and drinks. Trivia is also versatile and can be tailored to different themes or topics, depending on who your target audience is.
10. Card and Board Games
Classic board games like Monopoly, Clue, and card games such as UNO offer a relaxed, social activity for your bar customers.
The best thing about these games is that they’re relatively cheap and don't take up any space, so any venue can incorporate them. They’re also easily stored and set up by customers themselves, so all you need to do is leave out a few games and your customers can enjoy them as they please.
Board and card games are ideal for cozy bars, cafes, or venues with a more laid-back vibe.
11. Pinball Machines
Pinball machines add a retro, arcade feel to your bar, appealing to both nostalgic patrons and new fans. These games work as both decor statement pieces and as entertainment.
Pinball machines are compact enough for most medium to large venues and provide continuous entertainment. They’re ideal for any bar wanting to create a fun, lively atmosphere, and they often become a focal point that draws in customers.
Drinking Games to Spice Up the Night
Looking to add a little excitement and energy to your night out? Drinking games are the perfect solution.
They break the ice, spark conversations, and keep the good times rolling. If you want to bring the party to your bar, then here are some fun drinking games to have ready.
1. Beer Pong
If your bar has a party atmosphere, then beer pong is a classic drinking game that your customers will love.
It fits well in casual, lively bars with enough space for a large table. All you need is a long table and a few ping pong balls, and you can have a lively game of beer pong going. Your venue could even host beer pong tournaments for a big event.
2. Flip Cup
Flip Cup is a fast-paced team game that will have everyone cheering.
Teams race to drink from their cups and flip them upside down by flicking the rim with their fingers. It’s perfect for large groups and events to create a lively atmosphere.
3. Drunk Jenga
Take the classic game of Jenga and add a boozy twist. Write different rules or challenges on each block, and as players pull them out, they must complete the action written on the block.
From “take a shot” to “swap drinks with someone,” drunk Jenga keeps everyone on their toes. If your bar has giant Jenga, you could even use this for a really exciting version of drunk Jenga.
4. Quarters
Quarters is a simple but challenging game that requires a steady hand.
Players take turns bouncing a quarter off the table, aiming to land it in a cup of beer. If successful, they choose someone to drink. It’s a game that combines skill and luck, and it's always satisfying to make that perfect shot.
5. Drunk Waiter
This is a silly drinking game that can be absolutely hilarious in the right environment.
In Drunk Waiter, players must navigate an obstacle course while carrying a tray of drinks. The goal is to complete the course without spilling any drinks.
You’ll need to have enough space in your venue for the course and be prepared for a few spills and breakages. However, if you want to add a fun twist to an outdoor party, then this game is perfect.
Conclusion
Most of these bar games are simple to include in any venue, and they can make a massive difference in how engaged and lively your guests become. Of course, you’ll need to make sure that you choose the right games to match your bar’s layout and the type of vibe you want to create for your guests. Get it right, and it’s an easy way to set up many unforgettable nights out in your venue.
Does your bar host events? Then incorporating games is just one way to boost bookings and improve the guest experience. Using the right event management software is also essential for a more successful event venue. Try Perfect Venue to see how the platform can help you run your bar’s events a whole lot smarter
