The best bachelor party games give a mixed group something to do besides stand around. Here are 25 that work, sorted by where you'll play, with how to run each one.
Competitive games
- Beer pong. Two teams of two, ten cups each in a triangle. Take turns throwing a ping-pong ball into the other side's cups, and each hit removes a cup. First team to clear the other side wins. Use water or soda in the cups if you want it dry.
- Flip cup. Two teams line up on opposite sides of a table, one cup each. Each player drinks, then flips their cup upside down off the table edge. The next teammate can't go until the one before lands it. First team through wins.
- Cornhole. Two boards, teams of one or two, four bags each. A bag on the board is 1 point and a bag in the hole is 3. Play to 21 with cancellation scoring. Regulation is 27 feet apart; go closer in a small yard.
- Poker tournament. Everyone buys in for the same amount and starts with the same chips. The blinds go up on a timer. Last player with chips wins the pot. Texas Hold'em is the one everybody knows.
- Darts. Play 501. Each player starts at 501, subtracts every throw, and has to finish exactly on a double. Teams of two keep a big group moving.
- Groom trivia. Collect questions about the groom from his family and friends before the day. Split into teams and read them out. The embarrassing ones are the best ones.
Outdoor and yard games
- Ladder toss. Throw a bola (two balls on a short rope) at a three-rung ladder about 15 feet away. Top rung is 3 points, middle 2, bottom 1. First to 21 wins.
- Giant Jenga. Pull a block from the lower levels and stack it on top. Whoever knocks the tower over loses. Easy to run while the grill is going.
- Horseshoes. Throw shoes at a stake. A ringer is 3 points, and the closest shoe scores 1. Stakes are 40 feet apart in regulation play, so shorten it for a backyard.
- Spikeball. Two teams of two around a small round net. The serve has to hit the net, then each team gets up to three touches to return it. Play to 21, win by 2.
- Bocce. Toss the small ball (the pallino) out first, then each team rolls its balls to land closest to it. Closest ball scores. Games usually go to 12.
Indoor games
- Pool tournament. Run an 8-ball bracket. For a big group, play scotch doubles, where partners alternate shots.
- Console bracket. Pick a game everyone has played, like Mario Kart, and run a bracket with a points table. Rotate controllers so no one sits out for long.
- Blackjack casino night. Use play money and a rotating dealer. Beat the dealer's hand without going over 21. Give the biggest stack a prize at the end.
- Charades. Two teams, a timer, and a hat of names or movie titles. Act it out with no talking. Most correct guesses wins.
- Foosball tournament. Quick games to 5 or 7, so a bracket moves fast. Works in a rented house or a bar with a table.
Golf games that need no golf experience
A golf course day means a tee time, a drive and a lot of standing around. A mobile golf simulator skips that. We bring it to a backyard, a rented house or a patio, set it up in about 30 to 45 minutes, and an attendant runs it. Nobody needs golf experience.
- Golf simulator tournament. Everyone hits on the simulator and the screen keeps score. Pick whichever of these formats fits your group:
- Closest to the pin. Everyone gets a shot at the same target. The ball that finishes nearest the flag wins the round.
- Long drive. Each player swings for distance with the driver. The longest drive wins. It's the one that gets the loudest reaction.
- Skins. Each hole is worth a prize, and only an outright winner takes it. A tie carries the prize to the next hole.
- Scramble teams. Split into teams of two to four. Everyone hits, the team picks the best shot, and everyone plays from there. Mixed skill levels end up even.
More on how it works for a group on our bachelor party golf simulator page. Half Day is $499 and Full Day is $799 across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley; see pricing or tell us your date.
Low-key and alcohol-free games
- Settlers of Catan. Players trade resources and build roads and settlements. First to 10 victory points wins. Good for a rented-house evening.
- Codenames. Two teams, a grid of 25 words. One player on each team gives one-word clues, and teammates guess which words are theirs. Avoid the assassin card.
- Pictionary. Draw the clue, teammates guess before the timer runs out. No drawing skill required, and bad drawings are half the fun.
- Jackbox party games. Everyone plays from their phone while the game runs on a TV. Works for any group size and needs no setup beyond a screen.
- Ping pong tournament. Singles or doubles, games to 11. A bracket and a cheap trophy make it feel like an event.
- Photo scavenger hunt. Hand each team a list of photos to get, like a stranger holding a sign or the groom in a costume. Most points in the time limit wins.
- Mafia (Werewolf). A moderator secretly deals roles. Each round the group votes to eliminate someone they think is a werewolf. Needs about eight or more people.
- Pub trivia. Teams of four, rounds of ten questions, and a tiebreaker. Bring a friend who'll host in a loud voice.
Planning in Vancouver? Our Vancouver bachelor party guide covers budgets and a rain plan.