Drinking games online in New Zealand have become a popular way for friends and groups to connect and add fun to drinking occasions. These games combine traditional drinking challenges with online convenience, reflecting New Zealand’s lively drinking culture while encouraging social interaction and entertainment safely and enjoyably.
Introduction to Online Drinking Games
Drinking games online are especially popular among university students and young adults in New Zealand. They often involve interactive card-based or app-based formats that can be played remotely or in person, making them ideal for parties, pre-drinking sessions, or casual get-togethers.
Drinking games play a large role in New Zealand’s social and university culture. They help break the ice, enhance social bonding, and add entertainment to drinking occasions. Their appeal lies in facilitating social interaction, creating memorable moments, and providing structure to drinking sessions, particularly in virtual or hybrid social environments.
Types of Drinking Games
Popular drinking games in New Zealand include a mix of classic international games and uniquely Kiwi variations, often adapted with local rules and humour.
Classic Drinking Games
Many classic drinking games are commonly played at university gatherings, parties, and outdoor events. Beer Pong is a staple at Kiwi pre-drinks, involving players throwing ping pong balls into cups of beer arranged on a table. When a ball lands in a cup, the opposing team drinks the beer.
Kings, also known as Ring of Fire, is another classic card game where each card drawn corresponds to a specific action or rule, such as “Waterfall” or “Create a Rule.” The game ends when all cards are drawn, with the last King player drinking a communal cup.
Then we have Roxanne – a music-based drinking game where players drink every time the word “Roxanne” is sung and spin when the phrase “put on the red lights” is mentioned.
Fun and Unique Games
Some drinking games bring a distinct Kiwi twist and lively social interaction. The Number Game, often played at stag or bachelor parties, involves players voting on two options posed by a questioner. Those in the minority drink, and if everyone agrees, the questioner drinks. This game sparks conversation and reveals group dynamics.
Thumb Master is another unique drinking game in which one player is designated as the Thumb Master, who can place their thumb on the table at any time. All others must follow quickly, with the last to do so drinking. This adds spontaneous moments of fun and alertness.
Meanwhile, Bottle Cap Jenga is a twist on classic Jenga using beer bottle caps stacked on an empty beer bottle. Players take turns stacking caps, and the one who topples the stack drinks, adding a Kiwi flavour to party fun.
Game Online Options
Drinking games online in New Zealand are often accessible via apps or downloadable card packs. One popular option is Legless Kiwis, a digital card game available as a physical box or downloadable to your phone, featuring 75 classic cards in the starter pack and over 300 cards in the full set.
Do or Drink is an app-based game supporting two or more players with no practical limit. Players swipe to draw cards that prompt challenges or drinking, with multiple decks catering to different social settings and preferences. Online versions of Kings or King’s Cup have been adapted for virtual play through apps or digital decks, where players draw cards corresponding to rules or challenges.
Safety and Responsibility
Drinking games are a popular social activity in New Zealand, but managing alcohol consumption responsibly is essential for safety and well-being. New Zealand’s laws and guidelines emphasise responsible drinking, legal compliance, and harm reduction in all alcohol-related activities, including drinking games. Key safety measures include:
- Adhering to the legal drinking age of 18 and supply laws.
- Providing food, water, and safe transport options.
- Encouraging moderation and respect for personal limits.
- Hosting in environments with clear alcohol policies and trained staff.
- Avoiding risky drinking behaviours and supporting intoxicated individuals.
Online Drinking Etiquette
When playing drinking games online, players generally follow informal but widely accepted etiquette to ensure everyone enjoys the experience safely and respectfully. These guidelines help maintain a positive social atmosphere, whether playing locally or remotely.
Players should respect personal limits and allow opting out or non-alcoholic alternatives without pressure. It is important to agree on rules and acceptable behaviour before starting to avoid misunderstandings. Also, avoid singling out players in ways that cause embarrassment or discomfort, maintain lighthearted humour, and stay away from offensive or overly personal challenges.
Ensuring technical readiness with stable internet and functioning audio/video is also crucial. Players should pace drinking to avoid rapid intoxication, take water breaks, and have food available. Celebrating funny moments and successes builds camaraderie, and respecting privacy by sharing photos or screenshots only with consent is encouraged.
Popular Games for Large Groups
Drinking games online suitable for large groups in New Zealand combine fun, inclusivity, and accessibility, often supporting dozens or even hundreds of players. Do or Drink, an app-based game, is suitable for 2 to over 2,000 players, making it ideal for house parties, bars, pre-drinking, or virtual gatherings.
Power Hour, played online or virtually, involves players taking a sip of beer every minute for an hour, often synced with a playlist of 60 one-minute songs, and is easy to organise via video platforms. Meanwhile, Drunk Pirate is an online card game mixing dares, trivia, and changing rules designed to keep large groups involved and playable via screen sharing.
Best Platforms for Hosting Online Drinking Games
Choosing the right software is just as important as the game itself. For New Zealanders dealing with international server pings, stability is key to a smooth “digital cheers.”
Zoom: The All-Rounder
Zoom remains the most popular choice for virtual happy hours. Its “Gallery View” is perfect for games like Hollywood Squares or Never Have I Ever, where seeing everyone’s reaction simultaneously is the main draw.
Pro Tip: Use the “Music or Computer Sound” share feature if you’re playing a music-based drinking game like Guess the Song.
Discord: The Gamer’s Choice
Discord is superior for groups that want to play higher-intensity games. The low-latency voice chat and “Go Live” screen-sharing feature make it ideal for hosting Jackbox Party Packs or Tabletop Simulator. You can even set up dedicated “Pub” channels with bots that roll dice or draw cards.
Houseparty & Specialist Apps
While the original Houseparty app has been discontinued, spiritual successors like Bunch or AirConsole allow you to play built-in mini-games while video chatting on your smartphone.
Top Online Drinking Games for 2024 & 2025
The landscape of virtual gaming has shifted from simple “chat and drink” to more interactive, web-based experiences.
| Game | Platform | Best For |
| Drunk Pirate | Browser (Web) | Quick, randomized prompts with zero setup. |
| Gartic Phone | Browser (Web) | Hilarious “telephone” drawing game that works perfectly as a drinking game. |
| Trivia Murder Party 2 | Jackbox | Competitive trivia with “killing” mini-games for losers. |
| All Bad Cards | Browser (Web) | A free, online clone of Cards Against Humanity optimized for remote play. |
| Power Hour Video | YouTube/Browser | Drinking a sip of beer every minute for 60 minutes to a curated music mix. |
How to Set Up a Virtual Drinking Game Night
To ensure your Kiwi crew has a “sweet as” time without technical hitches, follow this checklist:
Designate a Host: One person should own the game (or the Jackbox pack) and be responsible for screen sharing.
Sync the Drinks: To make it feel like a real party, suggest a theme. Whether it’s everyone grabbing a 6-pack of NZ craft beer or everyone making the same cocktail, shared sensory experiences bridge the digital gap.
Check the “Ping”: If playing interactive games like Golf Battle or Uno Online, ensure everyone has a stable VDSL or Fiber connection to avoid lag-induced “penalty drinks.”
Establish “Screen Rules”: Create rules for the tech itself—for example, “Drink if your mic is on mute when you start talking” or “Drink if your background blur fails.”
Responsible Drinking in a Digital Space
Online drinking games can lead to faster consumption because you are in the comfort of your own home. Stay safe with these “Kiwi-specific” tips:
The “Water Spacer”: For every round of a drinking game, have a glass of water. New Zealand’s “Cheers to the Governor” rules often include a mandatory water round to keep the night going longer.
Standard Drink Awareness: Know your limits. A 440ml tall can of 7% NZ IPA is roughly 2.4 standard drinks. Adjust your game “sips” accordingly.
Don’t Drink and Drive (Digital Edition): Just because you aren’t driving home doesn’t mean you should overdo it. Keep an eye on your mates through the screen; if someone is getting too blurry, suggest a “non-alc” round.
Conclusion
Drinking games online in New Zealand offer a popular way for people to connect socially, whether in person or remotely. They blend traditional drinking game elements with online platforms, providing a variety of formats, such as Kiwi-themed card games like Legless Kiwis and app-based challenges like Do or Drink. These games support social interaction, fun, and responsible drinking, contributing to New Zealand’s lively drinking culture.
What are the best free online drinking games?
Drunk Pirate, Gartic Phone, and All Bad Cards are the top-rated free options that require no downloads and work directly in a browser.
Do I need a PC to play online drinking games?
No. Most games like Picolo or Drinkopoly are available as mobile apps, and video chat platforms like Zoom and Discord have excellent mobile versions.
How do you play “Kings” (Ring of Fire) online?
You can use a “Virtual Deck of Cards” website. The host shares their screen, clicks to draw a card, and everyone follows the standard rules (Ace is Waterfall, etc.) based on the shared visual.
Can I play Jackbox games if only one person owns them?
Yes! Only the host needs to own the Jackbox Party Pack. They share their screen via Zoom or Discord, and everyone else joins using their own smartphone as a controller via Jackbox.tv.
What is a “Power Hour” and is it safe?
A Power Hour involves taking a shot of beer every minute for 60 minutes. While popular, it is high-intensity. We recommend “pacing” by using smaller sips or alternating with water.
Are there any NZ-themed online drinking games?
You can easily “Kiwify” games like Never Have I Ever by using local prompts (e.g., “Never have I ever been to a Bunnings sausage sizzle”).
How do I stop Zoom from cutting off after 40 minutes?
The free version of Zoom has a 40-minute limit. To avoid this, use Google Meet (which has a longer limit for 1-on-1s) or Discord, which is completely free for unlimited time.
What is “Gartic Phone” and why is it a drinking game?
It’s a drawing and description game. It becomes a drinking game when the “final reveal” happens; players usually drink for every drawing that is completely misinterpreted.
Is it legal to host drinking games online in NZ?
Yes, as long as all participants are over the age of 18 and are consuming alcohol in a private setting.
How can I make a virtual happy hour more engaging?
Use “Spotlight” features to highlight the person currently “in the hot seat” and encourage the use of custom virtual backgrounds related to the game’s theme.
