• Games To Play At A Bar
• Games To Play At A Barbecue Party
• Old Bar Games
• Best Bar Games
• Fun Games To Play At A Barbecue

I first became aware of bar dice a number of years back when I stopped into a bar in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, for a quick lunch and a beer. While I was eating my hamburger, a rangy-looking man walked in and, without so much as a how-dee-doo, asked the bartender, “Can I have the dice?” She handed them to him a leather cup and he began shaking.

The game of Darts gets a lot of coverage on this website. That’s mainly because it is one of the best – if not the best – bar or pub game.You can play a few games of Cricket quietly in the corner with your buddies, join a league and learn the 01 games, or just throw some darts by yourself while enjoying a pint. The most common game played against the bar is the Shake of the Day, which is either played for a pot of dollar bills that has accrued over the day, or the drink being ordered. During a recent visit to Sister Bay Bowl in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, a bartender called Sam gave me a quick tutorial.

Gaming and barrooms are a marriage that stretches back to the beginning of public houses. But how Wisconsin came to collect and build its specific traditions is less clear. Jim Draeger, a Wisconsin bar historian, dates the popularity of bar dice in the state to at least the end of Prohibition, but has not discovered the game’s origins. Today, however, bar dice is as unavoidable a fact of saloon life in Wisconsin as over-the-top Bloody Mary garnishes and Brandy Old-Fashioneds.

Games To Play At A Bar

“Any bar around here, you walk in and they’ll have them,” says Bob MacDonald, whose family has owned the Bayside Tavern in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, for more than 40 years.

The dice are five in number and they invariably dwell in a soft, round cup dressed in leather or faux leather. The fancy material isn’t about the bar putting on airs; it’s to prevent wear and tear. There’s a showy body language that goes along with playing bar dice: when a player shakes the cup, they bring it down with a loud smack, an action that’s rough on both the cup and the bar surface.

“Banging the cup on the bar with manly force produces a violent sound,” reported Copley News Service in 1973, “like a cowboy boot striking the side of a stalled pickup, and can be one of life’s worst shocks to the nervous system.” The soft cup helps mute the impact. “I think it’s meant to be a cushion,” says Draeger, co-author of Bottoms Up, a study of Wisconsin saloons.

The general goal of any session is to see who buys the next round, and you either play your fellow barflies or the bartender. There are many different games, most consisting of three shakes of the cup per player. There is Ship, Captain, Crew, in which you try to gather a ship (a roll of a “six”), captain (“five”) and crew (“four”), in that order, your score being what’s left on the two remaining dice. Popular in Green Bay, according to Draeger, is Threes, where a roll of a “three” counts as zero and the lowest score wins. Then there’s the hardcore 7-14-21. Only dice that come up as “one” are counted. The player who rolls the seventh “one” names the drink; the player who rolls the 14th downs the drink; and the 21st buys the drink.

The most common game played against the bar is the Shake of the Day, which is either played for a pot of dollar bills that has accrued over the day, or the drink being ordered. During a recent visit to Sister Bay Bowl in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, a bartender called Sam gave me a quick tutorial. “There are general things that people abide by,” she explained. “One is you never put the dice in the cup to give to the next guy. You always pass the dice outside of the cup. It’s etiquette.”

The goal of the game is to get the highest score in three shakes or less. To start the game you must roll a “one,” called an “ace.” An ace is also considered wild. Ideally you want five “sixes”, the highest possible roll, which is known as “56” (five “sixes,” see?). Which brings us to another matter: Bar dice has its own language. Three “fours” is a “34”; four “fives” is a “45”; and so on. A loss is a “horse on you” or “horse on me,” depending on the case. A tie to be decided by a third round is “a horse a piece.”

Sam and I had a horse apiece, so our game went on to a third round, which I won with a “46,” securing my free, ice-cold PBR. But, then again, I didn’t exactly have stiff competition. As Sam explained, bartenders tend to “play nice,” so as not to alienate customers.

It can all be a bit much to keep track of. As a chagrined Green Bay Press-Gazette columnist observed back in 1976, “Unfortunately, bar dice is not a game that can be taught. You must observe closely and learn to adopt the mannerisms of the pros.”

Though usually a wellspring of conviviality and companionship, bar dice can breed trouble. When the game makes the news, it’s typically in connection with a fight, with a sore loser throwing a punch or drawing a shotgun. In 1976, an Appleton man struck another citizen because the latter refused to play bar dice with him.

There have even been periodic attempts to ban the practice, including recent laws passed in Minnesota and Montana. In Wisconsin, that sort of crusading doesn’t go over well. When, one Monday in 2016, the owners of three Milwaukee bars decided to eliminate bar dice in their joints, there was such hue and cry from the patrons that the ban was rescinded by Wednesday.

As to why bar dice has such a grip on Cheeseheads, as opposed to Hoosiers or Buckeyes, Draeger points to an obvious cause. “We have more bars than any other state,” he points out, adding, “and it gets cold here.” You have to pass the time somehow.

Want guests to stay longer, spend more, and return often? Break out the bar games. You’ll bring patrons together for a great time while creating a lively atmosphere that attracts crowds. Before dusting off Trivial Pursuit, ensure you have the right games for your guests. We make it easy by sharing the 18 best bar games for 2019. Are you game?

ATTRACT MILLENNIALS WITH ON-TREND PARTY GAMES

Adult party games launch laughing fits in living rooms across America. Now, bring the fun (and millennials) to your place. Always have multiple sets of these popular bar games on hand. Fair warning: they’re definitely R-Rated.

1. Cards Against Humanity

With a 5-star Amazon rating based on nearly 40,000 reviews, this is a no brainer as far as bar games go. It’s simple to play: One player asks a question from a black card, the other players answer with their funniest white card. For a PG-version ideal for families, get Apples to Apples instead.

2. What Do You Meme?

Launched in late 2017, this one is already Amazon’s #2 best-selling adult party game. If you want millennials in your bar, you need this game that’s based on trending internet memes.

3. Exploding Kittens

Not as sinister as it sounds, this easy-to-learn party game is actually suitable for ages 7 and up. Created by the millennial-approved cartoonist, The Oatmeal, this is one of the best bar games to purchase now.

4. Pop Culture and Movie Night Trivia

While the first 3 bar games require cards (and are best for groups of 8), there’s no limit to how many people can play Pop Culture and Movie Night Trivia. Questions are pulled from the week’s biggest headlines: viral videos, trending movies, and celeb gossip. Basically, if millennials are talking about it – the topics are in these 2 bar games.

BONUS! More Bar Games Millennials Love Right Now

• Jenga
• Catchphrase
• Settlers of Catan (a strategic board game, known as a Euro Style game)

GET THE CROWD JUMPING WITH PHYSICAL BAR GAMES

Ideal for sports bars, turn your location into an arena with these bar games that require (minimal) physical activity.

5. Cornhole

This bean bag toss game is trending at college campuses and backyard barbeques. Now it’s your turn. You can easily build your own cornhole boards or buy them for about $100 per set. Clear space indoors for a cornhole tournament when it’s raining or snowing outside – you’ll cure cabin fever for guests.

6. Darts

Dart leagues continue to build momentum into 2019. Already have dartboards? Get more guests in the game by asking your best player to host a training session (reward them with a gift card).

7. Shuffleboard

Not just for seniors in Florida, shuffleboard is showing up everywhere from hipster Brooklyn bars to trendy breweries. No, you don’t need to install a regulation 52-foot shuffleboard court – a 9-foot tabletop shuffleboard works well.

8. Hook and Ring Toss

Got shuffleboard sticker shock? Island Jay’s Hook and Ring Toss bar game will cure it…considering you can make it yourself for under $10. Sometimes, the simplest bar games are the best bar games.

BONUS! Other Physical Bar Games to Try

• Bocce ball…big in the South
• Table hockey (or even table tennis)
• Any Wii Sports
• Twister

66 Promotions to Drive Sales on Slow Nights

Games To Play At A Barbecue Party

The ultimate guide for owners & managers.

Old Bar Games

BAR GAMES MAKE THE BEST LIVE EVENTS

Build an event around your bar games with these easy, affordable ideas. Don’t forget to set up a Facebook Event for maximum visibility.

9. Olympic Bar Games

The real Olympics kick off in February…so why not launch your own winter Olympics? Guests can form teams to compete in everything from cornhole to flip cup, darts to beer pong. Stagger the competition to keep guests coming back on a weekly basis on your slowest night.

10. Live Trivia

Another one of the best bar games to attract midweek guests? Live trivia events. Every loves trivia night: from college students to baby boomers. It’s one of the best crowd-pleasing bar games.

Best Bar Games

No need to hire an expensive outside trivia host. Train your own staff to rock the mic. The right live trivia system will provide everything you need – from trivia questions that show up on your TVs to handheld tablets that keep automatic scores.

11. Interactive Trivia Leagues

When you give guests access to nationally scheduled trivia games 15 hours a day, 7 days a week…they’ll find their favorite for sure. In fact, many of the 11 million registered Buzztime players set up Wednesday and Thursday night trivia leagues to play SIX Trivia at their local Buzztime bar. Find out how to become a Buzztime location.

12. Competitive Karaoke

Yes, karaoke can become one of your most popular bar games. Just make it competitive by hiring a local musician or guest panel to give feedback to each performer. You could even use “The Voice” as inspiration and ask that the judges turn their backs to the performers. The winner should get a gift card – and be invited to judge the next week’s event!

13. Poker Tournament

Up the ante on fun with bar games like a Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament. Don’t worry. Scoring and standings are generated automatically.

BONUS! More Live Event Ideas

• Charades
• Adult Spelling Bee
• Scrabble Tournament

Take it Outside: Bar Games Perfect for Patios

14. Let’s Go Lawn Bowling

Skittles, or lawn bowling, has been played in Europe for centuries. No lawn? No problem. Set up the 10 wooden pins on the patio floor and let the good times roll with the most traditional of bar games

15. Trick Shot Contest

Score a slam dunk with guests. Set up a mini basketball hoop and let the bar games begin. Run a trick shot contest and let audience applause determine the winner. Or, create a contest with a high stakes prize if someone makes a shot from across the patio.

16. Ping Pong

You’ve got the tables. Now, push them together. Then just add ping pong balls, a net, and paddles. It’s bar games made easy. You could even run a table tennis tournament.

BONUS! More outdoor entertainment:

• KANJAM…it may look like two trash cans and a frisbee, but this game is serious fun.
• Croquet – this classy “sport” is the bar game you need for your next Derby watch party.
• Giant. Scrabble. Tiles. Need we say more? Us this DIY guide to make your own lawn Scrabble tiles and get wordy with your bar games.

UPDATE YOUR ARCADE: WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN

No list of bar games would be complete without arcade ideas There are 2 key trends in the world of arcade gaming: retro arcade games and handheld arcade games. Anything in between didn’t make it on our list of the best bar games.

17. Retro Games

Ms. Pac-Man. Donkey Kong. Space Invaders. For children of the 1980s, these retro arcade games are a nostalgic escape. Some bars are taking their chances with refurbished arcade classics (they range from $1000-$3000 on eBay). Others are purchasing new versions that look identical to the originals (same price range).

18. Handheld Arcade Games

While retro arcade bar games look “cool,” if you want guests to stay longer and spend more, give them arcade games on tabletop tablets. In fact, an independent Arbitron study* revealed that guests who play Buzztime’s handheld arcade games spend an average of 21% more per table check. Even bars with a physical game room are adding handheld bar games, here’s why:

• Space-saving: Why pull guests away from the bar to the arcade? Save space and increase orders: keep guests at the bar or table.
• Competitive spirit: For many players, the appeal of arcade games is the leaderboard. Handheld arcade bar games on the NTN network let guests compete on a local – and national – leaderboard.
• Strategically Designed: Today’s tabletop tablet arcade games are engineered to keep guests engaged in continuous play.
• All ages and interests: Handheld arcades include classic arcade games – plus newer ones. From racecar challenges to word puzzles, there’s something for all ages and interests. Unlike standalone retro consoles, handheld arcades are updated regularly if you use the right system.

BONUS! Arcade Game Ideas (if You’ve Got Space)

• Skee Ball
• Crane pickup
• Mini basketball
• Table tennis

Fun Games To Play At A Barbecue

When it comes to bar games, think about the type of guest you want. Then, select games based on their interests and style of play. For example, if you’re a full-service restaurant that draws in couples for quiet dinners, offer 2-player bar games like chess and paint a few tabletops with a rustic checkerboard (different-sided coasters can be the checkers).

Or, if you’re located on a college campus, cater to big groups with equally big tournaments and trivia events that get everyone in on the gaming action. The ultimate game-winning strategy is one that keeps the customer’s needs in focus. Always.

*2008 Independent Arbitron Study. Actual results may vary.