The Most Popular Bar Games of All-Time
The 7 Most Popular Games in Bars and Pubs!
We all love a good bar game - but what are the most popular bar games of all-time?
Foosball table and darts- two of the most popular bar games of all-time
With the Covid-19 pandemic hopefully behind us, more people have started to resume social activities- including playing fun bar games with friends and family.
Around 42% of Millennials and 24% of Zoomers in the US go to a bar at least once a week to spend quality time with friends and family.
Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars install these games to create an inviting atmosphere for all of their customers.
Playing bar games can help you take a break from your daily routine and entertain yourself- and no pub trip would be complete without an exciting game of darts or pool.
Read about the 7 most popular bar games across the world!
Darts
Darts is the most popular bar game played by two or more players.
In this game, you throw missiles or darts at a dartboard to hit a circular target. Darts is an easy game to play, and it also allows you to spend quality time with your friends.
Playing darts in a bar improves your social skills, letting you interact with new people or make friends.
Bars add dartboards to their facilities to create a more fun and inviting atmosphere for their customers.
Over 17 million people play darts in the US and around 199,800 people play darts in the UK, making it the most popular game in pubs.
24.71 million Americans have played this bar game at some point in their life.
16.1 million people play the simplest form of darts, while 8.6 million are professional players with good experience, technique and skill.
The Greatest Darts player of all time, Phil Taylor, began his career like many darts players, in the pub!
Pool
Pool is one of the most popular and enjoyable bar games across the world.
People often visit bars and pubs to enjoy this game and create unforgettable experiences with friends.
Pool is also one of the oldest sports in the world, dating back to 15th century Europe. This game involves potting balls into holes on the pool table surface to score points.
Bar Billards - One of the great pub games that is extremely rare to find nowadays
Pool originates from billiard russe, a French-Belgian game. However, the current form started in the UK in the early 20th century.
This game requires at least two players, and you can also play it against a team of two players. Although this is a fun game, some great pool players practice this sport on a professional level.
Bar billiards is the most popular game in the UK, particularly in the Channel Islands and the South of England.
It has also become a multi-million-dollar industry in the US, generating more than $669 million yearly.
Shuffleboard
Shuffleboard is another game that has gained popularity in modern bars and pubs. It is a classic game with its origins in local watering holes and brew pubs.
The rules of shuffleboard involve two or four players using cues to push weighted discs down a narrow court. Players must try to get them to stop within a marked scoring area.
This hands-on bar game is an excellent alternative for people who don't like bar billiards or darts. Those of all ages, walks of life and skill levels can play this game and create memorable experiences.
Establishments install shuffleboards in their indoor or outdoor facilities to provide their customers with a fun game while they drink.
This game is a reliable way for pubs or bars to retain customers and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
Foosball / Table Football
Foosball, also known as table soccer or football, is one of the most famous bar games played across the world.
Foosball takes inspiration from Association Football and involves moving the ball into your opponent's goal using rods attached to the table.
You can play foosball with another player or four players in two teams.
In a two-player game, each player controls four rods on the table. In a four-player game, each player controls two rods.
In that case, one of the team players will control the offensive rods, and the other will operate the defensive rods.
One of the primary reasons this game has gained popularity among bar visitors is that it’s fun and entertaining.
Those of all ages and skill levels can play and enjoy foosball in a bar.
It also provides you with an opportunity to socialise with friends and family or make new friends while competing against them for a prize, such as a bottle of wine or a tab at the bar.
Foosball is a fast-paced game and it keeps you on your toes throughout the session.
At the same time, you must have good reflexes and think strategically to dominate your opponent and score more goals.
Playing foosball is an excellent way to socialise and improve your mental abilities, including hand-eye coordination, cognition and fine motor skills.
Trivia Games
Trivia games are a popular activity in pubs and bars, allowing people to test their memory and knowledge and compete for prizes and rewards.
Trivia games are fun to play, and they also improve your cognitive skills. For example, bars organise quiz nights and invite their customers to participate for free to win prizes.
Bars and pubs offer lots of different trivia games, including questions about various topics.
Questions range from easy to challenging, and they often cover subjects such as:
General knowledge
Current affairs
Politics and history
Science
Geography
Entertainment
Cornhole
Cornhole is one of the most famous games played by friends and families in outdoor bars and restaurants.
You can enjoy cornhole and spend quality time with your loved one while munching on delicious BBQ food in an open beachside restaurant.
However, not all bars have cornhole sets for their customers due to limited space and expensive equipment.
To play cornhole, participants take turns tossing beanbags, aiming for the target hole and strategising to maximise points.
The game's accessibility invites lively banter and laughter as spectators cheer on their teammates.
Cornhole's portable nature enables bars to easily set it up indoors or outdoors for customers.
With the perfect blend of challenge and entertainment, cornhole entices bar-goers to unwind and connect.
Pinball
People have played pinball in bars and pubs for over 90 years!
Pinball first emerged as a game in saloons in the 1930s. It is an easy-to-play game, providing fun and entertainment for friends whilst they drank.
The exciting thing about pinball is that you can play it solo. If you don't want to drink, enjoy a game of pinball whilst everyone around you gets hammered.
The US has the highest number of pinball machines. In the Chicago suburbs, you can find pinball at over 200 locations, including bars, with more than 520 individual pinball machines.
Pinball is a classic and captivating game, offering an exceptional avenue for socialisation and skill development.
As players navigate the intricate playfields with flashing lights and resonating sound effects, they immerse themselves in a world of strategy and precision.
Patience emerges as a vital attribute, with people refining their skills over time and adapting to the unique features of each machine.
The dynamic play demands keen hand-eye coordination as you align your reflexes with the swift movement of the silver ball.
Amidst the vibrant energy of the game, pinball enthusiasts gather, forging connections and camaraderie.
Do You Play Any of These Popular Bar Games?
People visit bars to seek a lively atmosphere and opportunities for social interaction.
Bar games are popular fixtures, helping to foster friendly competition and amusement. At these establishments, you can enjoy an array of drinks and spend quality time with friends and family.
Pool, darts and trivia nights can provide engaging challenges that enhance and improve your night out.
Skilled or novice, participants appreciate the chance to bond, test their abilities and momentarily escape the stresses of life.
What are your favourite bar games?
