Adding bar games to your establishment is a great way to boost business and keep customers entertained. Not only will a bar game provide entertainment for your customers but it can also be used as a marketing tool to attract new business. Bar games can be used to promote special events or deals, and they can even help increase foot traffic during slow periods.
There are a variety of bar games that can be added to your bar or sports pub, and the best games will vary depending on your establishment’s atmosphere and clientele. However, some of the most popular bar games include darts, pool, foosball, shuffleboard, and cornhole. Adding any of these games to your bar will surely attract attention and bring in new customers.
Here is a list of some of the best game ideas you can add to your bar to create some fun and exciting experience for your customers.
Table of Contents
Best Bar Games of 2023
1. Darts
Probably one of the most popular bar and pub games is darts. A game of darts is a great way to get your customers interacting and competing with each other in a fun and friendly way. It can also be a great way to promote your drinks menu, with players often buying rounds of drinks for their opponents after a game.
Darts are a great game for bars and pubs because they can be played by a large number of people at once, and it doesn’t require a lot of space. Darts is a social game that encourages people to interact with one another, which can create more fun and inviting atmosphere in your bar. Ultimately, adding darts to your bar can help increase foot traffic and boost business.
2. Pool (Billiards)
Pool is another classic bar game that is always popular with customers. There are many benefits of adding a pool table to a bar. For one, it can provide a great source of entertainment for customers. Billiards can also keep customers in your bar or restaurant for longer, which may lead to them ordering more food and drinks and ultimately increasing your profits.
Overall, adding pool tables to your bar can be a great way to attract new customers and make money. However, you will need to consider the pros and cons before making a decision. If you have the space and the staff, then pool can be a great addition to your bar. If you are not sure, then you may want to try adding a pool table to your bar on a trial basis to see if it is successful.
3. Shuffleboard
Shuffleboard is a great game for bars because it can be played by people of all ages and abilities, and is a fun way to get customers to interact. However, there are a few things to consider before adding a shuffleboard to a bar, such as the cost and amount of space required.
Additionally, shuffleboard can be a loud game, so it is important to make sure that it will not disturb other customers. With a little bit of planning, shuffleboard can be a great addition to any bar.
Assuming there is enough interest from customers and space in the bar, shuffleboard can be a fun and profitable addition. Correctly planning for things like cost and noise level will ensure that customers enjoy the game and continue to patronize the bar.
4. Foosball Table
Foosball or Table football is a hugely popular game in bars and pubs, and for good reason. It’s a great way to get people interacting and competing with each other and can be a really good way to generate income for the bar if you charge per game or per hour.
There are a few pros and cons to consider before adding a foosball table to a bar. On the plus side, foosball is a great game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. It’s also a good way to get customers to spend time in your bar.
On the downside, however, foosball tables can be expensive, and they require a fair amount of space. Additionally, the game can be quite loud, so it’s important to make sure that it won’t disturb other customers in the bar.
5. Trivia Games
Trivia nights are a great way to keep patrons coming back to your bar. They’re fun, competitive, and can be themed to fit your bar’s reputation. Plus, they’re relatively low-cost and require only a modest PA system and some basic marketing on social media.
Some potential benefits of adding trivia games to a bar include creating a more lively and fun atmosphere, attracting new customers, and boosting sales. However, some potential drawbacks to consider include the cost of setting up the games and the risk of offending customers who do not want to participate.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual bar to decide if adding trivia games is right for them. So why not give it a try? You might just find that your trivia night becomes the talk of the town.
6. Cornhole
Adding cornhole to a bar’s game selection can be a great way to provide a fun and low-cost option for customers. Never heard of Cornhole? Here’s a simple guide that explains the game.
The game has been around for over 100 years and continues to grow in popularity. Cornhole boards are easy to build and don’t take up much space, making them perfect for small spaces like barrooms or outdoor patios.
However, it is important to note that some customers might not be familiar with the game. Bar staff should be prepared to provide instructions to those who are not familiar with how to play. Overall, cornhole can be a great addition to a bar’s game selection.
7. Pinball Machines
There are a few pros and cons to adding pinball machines to a bar. One of the biggest pros of adding pinball machines is that they can provide another form of entertainment for patrons. If people are bored, they’re less likely to stick around and spend money.
By having a few pinball machines, you can give people something to do while they’re waiting for a table or resting between drinks. Additionally, pinball can be a fun diversion for people who are already at the bar and looking for something to do.
On the downside, pinball machines can be expensive and may require regular maintenance. Additionally, some people may view them as noisy or disruptive. We think they’re awesome and a lot of fun.
8. Buzztime Bar Trivia
Adding Buzztime bar trivia tablets to a business can provide a fun and interactive way for patrons to enjoy themselves, but there are also some potential downsides to consider. The devices can be costly, and there is always the possibility that they will be damaged or stolen.
Additionally, if the Wi-Fi connection is not strong enough, the devices may not work properly. Some customers may also prefer to drink and socialize without having to compete in a trivia game. Businesses should weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding whether or not to add Buzztime bar trivia tablets.
9. Jenga & Giant Jenga
There are pros and cons to adding Jenga to a bar for entertainment. On the plus side, Jenga can be a fun game that gets people interacting and laughing. It can also help promote alcohol sales by providing a reason for people to stay at the bar and buy more drinks. However, there are also some potential downsides to consider.
Jenga can be a noisy game that can disturb other patrons, and it can also get in the way of bartenders or servers trying to do their job. There is also the potential for broken glasses and bottles if the game gets too out of control. Overall, it’s up to the bar owner to decide whether adding Jenga is worth the risk.
10. Beer Pong
Beer pong is a game that is often played in bars and is popular with the college crowd. It is a drinking game in which players throw ping pong balls across a table into cups of beer. The object of the game is to drink all of the beer in the cups. There are usually two teams of two players each.
There are both pros and cons to playing beer pong in a bar. One pro is that it can be a fun way to drink with friends. It can also be a good way to meet new people. Another pro is that it is usually free to play except for the cost of beer. A con of playing beer pong in a bar is that it can get very messy. Beer can spill all over the place and make a big mess.
Overall, playing beer pong in a bar can be either good or bad depending on your perspective. If you are looking for a fun and social way to sell more beer, then beer pong can be a great option. However, if you are not fond of messes, then you might want to avoid this game.
11. Bar Poker Night
One of the key things to decide when adding poker night to a bar is whether it will be a tournament style or cash game. This can impact not only logistics but also what kind of players you attract. There are pros and cons to each type:
Tournament Style:
+Can be more exciting for onlookers/draw in a crowd
+Can be more fun/less serious for players
-More difficult to manage/run
-May take longer to complete
Cash Game (where legal):
+Easier to manage/run
+Can be more lucrative for the house
-May not be as exciting for onlookers
-Players may take the game more seriously
Another important consideration is what stakes to offer. If too high, you may only attract experienced players and scare away beginners. Too low and experienced players may not be interested. It’s important to find a happy medium that will bring in a good mix of players and create a fun, welcoming atmosphere.
There are a few other things to keep in mind when adding poker night to your bar. First, you’ll need to make sure you have enough tables and chairs to accommodate all the players. You’ll also need someone who is willing to act as a dealer and/or monitor the game. And finally, you’ll need to set some ground rules to ensure the game runs smoothly.
Overall, adding poker night to a bar can be a great way to bring in additional business and create a more lively atmosphere. Just be sure to do your research and plan ahead to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.
The Pros and Cons of Adding Games to Your Bar
There are both pros and cons to adding games to your bar. On the plus side, games can provide an enjoyable diversion for customers who are waiting for a table or waiting for their drinks. Games can also help bring in new customers, as people are attracted to bars that offer fun activities.
On the downside, games can be expensive to purchase and maintain, and they can create noise and chaos that some customers may find off-putting. Ultimately, whether or not to add games to your bar is a decision that depends on the type of atmosphere you want to create and the needs of your customer base.
Assuming you decide to add games to your bar, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to choose games that are appropriate for your space. For example, large arcade games or pool tables may not be a good fit for a small bar.
Second, you’ll need to purchase or lease the games, which can be expensive. Third, you’ll need to maintain the games and keep them in good working order, which may require hiring staff to oversee the games area. Finally, you’ll need to promote the games to your customers, as they may not be aware that you offer them.
Overall, adding games to your bar can be a great way to improve the customer experience and bring in new business. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision. Games can be a significant investment, both in terms of money and time, so you need to be sure that they’re the right fit for your business.
What Bar Games Do You Like Best?
Let us know what best bar games you like and why below.
Did we miss any on the list? Let us know and we’ll add them!
