How Do You Play 'Never Have I Ever' As A Drinking Game?

Ever found yourself awkwardly staring at a half-empty beer, desperately searching for a drinking game everyone actually enjoys?

Yeah, me too. Luckily, I’ve stumbled upon a party game that never fails to entertain and embarrass—usually simultaneously. It's called Never Have I Ever, and let me tell you, if you're not laughing, cringing, or revealing something embarrassing by the end of this, you're playing it wrong.

First Things First—The Rules (Don’t Worry, They're Simple)

The basic premise is dead easy. Everyone starts with ten fingers up, and each player takes a turn declaring something they've never done, kicking things off by saying, "Never have I ever…" For example, "Never have I ever been arrested," or "Never have I ever worn socks with sandals in public." (Seriously, don’t do that.)

Now, here’s the fun part: anyone who has actually done it has to drink and put a finger down. The first one to lose all fingers is the official winner or loser—depending how you see things. I prefer 'winner', because they're obviously having the most fun.

If you're a stickler for details and want to make sure everyone's on the same page, here’s a handy breakdown of the rules from someone who knows their stuff.

Questions to Ask? Glad You Asked!

The real challenge isn't drinking—it's thinking up good questions. Honestly, the weirder, funnier, or more embarrassing the better. You want questions that are going to make your mates laugh, blush, or both.

Stuck for inspiration? Here are some gems I've heard or personally suffered from at parties:

  1. Never have I ever lied about my age on a dating app.

  2. Never have I ever sent a text to the wrong person (and instantly regretted it).

  3. Never have I ever eaten food out of the bin (no judgement, we’ve all been there).

  4. Never have I ever pretended I knew a famous person.

  5. Never have I ever stalked someone on social media at 3 AM.

If you still need more ideas, Teen Vogue’s got your back with some hilarious and cringe-worthy questions that'll get everyone spilling their drinks—or their secrets.

Here's a quick tip: you might want to avoid anything too deep or controversial. After all, you're here to laugh and have a good time—not start a therapy session.

Adding Some Extra Spice

Now, if you want to get fancy (or slightly more intoxicated), you can always switch up the rules. One variation I've personally enjoyed (and regretted the next morning) is "reverse Never Have I Ever." In this version, you say something you have done and anyone who hasn't done it takes a sip.

It’s great if you have friends who are just way too innocent—watching them struggle to stay sober is a guaranteed laugh.

Speaking of Getting Fancy…

If you're keen to try something new, you might want to check out some other party games that can easily pair with "Never Have I Ever." For instance, F**k. The Game and Blurgh both promise chaos, hilarity, and the potential embarrassment we all secretly love. (Yes, that’s a shameless plug—but trust me, they're both a riot.)

Playing Online (Because Not Everyone's in the Room)

We’re not always lucky enough to have everyone together, especially with friends spread out everywhere. Thankfully, Never Have I Ever translates ridiculously well to video chat. I learned from experience—you can embarrass yourself just as easily from behind a screen as you can in person.

If you want to make it easy, here’s a decent online version that handles the questions for you—perfect if you're too lazy to think or already a few drinks deep.

Pro Tips From the Trenches

Speaking as someone who's watched these games derail into fits of laughter, arguments, and occasionally tears (of joy, obviously), let me offer some quick advice:

  1. Make sure everyone's comfortable. Seriously, this isn't the game to play if your boss or your mum’s around.

  2. Have plenty of drinks handy (you’ll thank me later).

  3. Don’t force anyone to answer something they're uncomfortable with—this isn’t truth serum, it’s just a game.

Ready to Start?

If you're anything like me, you've already thought of a dozen embarrassing questions to get the ball rolling. Just gather your mates, pour your drinks, and remember: whatever happens in "Never Have I Ever" stays at the party…unless it ends up on Instagram.

And hey, if you have any hilarious party stories or if you’re looking for more fun ways to embarrass your mates (or yourself), feel free to reach out and share your tales of glory and shame. I'd genuinely love to hear them.

Back to blog