Bar games do more than entertain—they significantly impact customer engagement and bar revenue. Research shows that adding games like pool, darts, or trivia can increase foot traffic, boost engagement, and encourage patrons to stay longer. This additional time spent translates directly into higher sales, as customers who are enjoying games are more likely to order more drinks and food. In fact, popular games like beer pong or shuffleboard create an atmosphere of friendly competition, which can draw in larger crowds, especially during slow weekdays. Offering bar games also builds customer loyalty, turning your bar into a community hub where patrons eagerly return regularly to catch up with friends.
Below, we’ve categorized the best bar games to fit any venue, from classic pub staples to interactive event-based games. But first, let’s explore the benefits of offering bar games.
The financial benefits of hosting bar games are clear. Games like pool, darts, and beer pong encourage friendly competition, which leads to longer customer stays and additional drink purchases. In fact, bars that offer engaging activities see a noticeable increase in drink sales. Arcade games or coin-operated machines can provide an extra revenue stream, and hosting regular game nights or tournaments is a great way to attract large groups. Repeat visits from loyal customers, along with increased spending, can contribute significantly to overall bar revenue.
Now let’s dive into the 28 best bar games to keep your pub patrons coming back!
A must-have in any bar, darts caters to casual players and serious competitors alike. Set up a league to keep regulars coming back.
Pool tables offer a relaxed pace, encouraging customers to stay for longer games. Pool tournaments are a great way to drive engagement and return visits.
Foosball tables create fast-paced, exciting interactions, ideal for teams or groups. Hosting mini-tournaments can foster friendly competition and keep patrons engaged.
This strategy-based game appeals to all ages and brings a vintage feel to your bar. Offering prizes for high scorers can keep customers coming back for more.
A quick, simple, and fun game, ring toss is perfect for bars with limited space. It’s an easy way to engage customers without requiring a big investment.
Beer pong is a drinking game classic, especially popular among college-age crowds. The game is easy to set up and encourages drink orders, making it a great addition to any casual bar.
Flip cup is a high-energy, team-based drinking game that gets everyone involved. It’s perfect for bar events where you want to encourage lively, interactive fun.
This classic drinking game is simple but effective in keeping customers entertained. Its low cost makes it an excellent choice for any bar looking to offer a fun activity.
Air hockey is a thrilling, fast-paced game perfect for customers looking for quick matches. The competitive nature of the game fosters return visits from patrons seeking rematches, and for those 90 kids who grew up with air hockey tables in their basements, it sparks sweet nostalgia.
Ping pong tables offer active, social entertainment. Hosting ping pong tournaments can bring in groups of regulars who enjoy the challenge.
Cornhole is ideal for outdoor bars or beer gardens. It’s easy to learn and attracts a wide variety of patrons, making it perfect for weekend tournaments or casual play.
Giant Jenga is a crowd-pleaser, with its towering blocks drawing both players and spectators. It adds excitement and visual appeal to any bar.
This oversized version of the classic game adds a fun and nostalgic element to your bar. It’s perfect for groups and creates a social, interactive experience.
Retro arcade games like Pac-Man or Street Fighter appeal to patrons of all ages. These machines also provide an additional revenue stream through coin-operated play. However, if you are hoping to boost your food and drink revenue, it may be more profitable to offer free plays or a free token with every item ordered.
Skee-ball is a nostalgic favorite that attracts competitive players and casual gamers alike. The game is quick, making it easy for patrons to jump in and play while enjoying a drink.
Poker nights turn your bar into a competitive destination. Regular tournaments attract serious players who spend more time (and money) at your bar. However, ensure you abide by all gambling laws and regulations.
Dominoes offers a slower, more relaxed pace. It’s perfect for quieter evenings and older crowds, encouraging customers to stay longer and order more drinks.
Offering a variety of board games lets customers sit down and enjoy some strategy-based fun. These games work especially well in quieter bars or during slower hours. You should have duplicates of the classics like Chess and Checkers, as multiple patrons may want to play at once, and each game can drag on.
Host a blind taste test where customers guess the flavors or brands of different drinks. It’s a fun way to promote your bar’s drink selection and encourage group participation. To promote safe and responsible drinking, each taster should be the size of a shot glass. If contestants will be tasting hard liquor, then it should be no more than half a shot. To boost revenue, sell the tasters as a bundled price, offering a free prize for anyone who corrects every drink correctly. Encourage team participation for some extra fun.
Let your customers become bartenders for the night. Mixology challenges encourage patrons to create their own cocktails, with judges rating each drink on taste and creativity. Offer prizes to make it even more engaging and to encourage participation. And who knows, you might find your bar’s new favorite cocktail from this game!
Trivia nights are a proven way to bring in teams of players. Regular themed trivia games, such as pop culture or sports trivia, turn your bar into a weekly destination for loyal patrons.
Turn your bar or local area into a scavenger hunt destination. Teams compete to find items or solve puzzles, adding an adventurous and interactive element to your bar. This works best as a special event, either monthly or annually to really draw in large crowds. Prizes should be awarded to the winning team, and to really please your patrons, offer a free drink to everyone who participates for a post-event celebration.
Offer customers a "mystery shot" option, where they guess the ingredients after tasting. This adds an element of surprise and encourages adventurous drinkers to try something new.
Karaoke turns your bar into an interactive entertainment hotspot. Regular karaoke nights build a loyal following, keeping groups of friends coming back week after week.
Bar Olympics combine multiple games—like darts, pool, beer pong, and flip cup—into one competition. Teams earn points for each game, creating a high-energy, event-based atmosphere that’s perfect for groups.
Take regular beer pong to the next level by blindfolding the players! This twist adds a hilarious and challenging element to an already beloved drinking game, perfect for themed bar nights.
A simple but challenging game where players try to hook a ring on a post. Its simplicity makes it an easy setup, and it’s surprisingly addictive for patrons looking for a quick, fun game.
A twist on traditional trivia, speed quizzes pit teams against the clock in fast-paced rounds. The adrenaline rush makes it more exciting than regular trivia and keeps customers on their toes.
Choosing the right games is about aligning entertainment with your bar’s target demographic and available space. The key is to understand who your regular patrons are and what kind of experience they seek. Let’s break down the thought process:
If your bar caters to an older, more traditional crowd, you want to focus on games that fit a slower-paced, classic bar experience. In this scenario, games like darts and pool are ideal choices. These games have a long-standing place in bar culture, providing patrons with a laid-back but competitive environment. Dive bars often benefit from these games because they resonate with regulars who appreciate the nostalgia and enjoy games that don’t require fast-paced action.
Why Darts and Pool? These games cater to patrons who enjoy strategy and skill-based competition but at a relaxed pace. Pool and darts are also social but not disruptive, making them perfect for environments where conversation and casual drinking take precedence over high-energy activities.
For a university bar catering to a younger, more energetic crowd, you’ll want to opt for games that encourage interaction, laughter, and fun. Games like beer pong, flip cup, blind taste tests, and trivia nights create an exciting, energetic atmosphere perfect for college students who are looking for lively, social experiences.
Why Beer Pong and Flip Cup? These games are quintessential college drinking games that encourage friendly competition, teamwork, and, most importantly, more drink purchases. Events like blind taste tests add a fun challenge to their night, while trivia nights appeal to groups looking for a social but mentally engaging evening.
To ensure you're making the best choices for your bar, ask yourself these questions:
Space is another crucial factor in selecting games. Smaller bars or pubs can opt for compact games like ring toss, giant Jenga, or board games, which don’t require much space but still offer interactive entertainment. Meanwhile, larger venues may accommodate pool tables, shuffleboard, or even arcade machines, turning the space into a full-fledged entertainment hub.
It’s also smart to mix and match different types of games to appeal to various patrons. For example, offering both trivia nights for the brainy types and beer pong for the partiers can help you attract a diverse crowd. The combination of classic pub games with event-based options like karaoke or mixology competitions creates a dynamic environment that keeps things fresh and exciting.
By offering a variety of bar games, from classic pub games to interactive events, you can keep customers entertained and engaged, leading to longer visits and increased repeat business. Whether you choose drinking games, arcade favorites, or event-based challenges, these 28 best bar games will turn your venue into a go-to spot for fun and entertainment.
“In the labor numbers, we were reporting about a $300 to $400 difference than what we were getting through Push!”
-Tara Hardie, ZZA Hospitality Group, 16 locations
