Board games are a staple of social gatherings, offering a fun and interactive way to connect with friends and family. Choosing the right game for the pub environment is crucial, you don't want a heavy strategy game that requires hours of setup and intense concentration. That’s why we’ve put together a list of portable games that ensure your next pub trip is filled with laughter and friendly competition.
Dobble
If you’ve got younger members of the family with you, Dobble is without a doubt a favourite for carrying on the go. All cards have 8 symbols on them, with a common symbol always found between 2 cards. Your aim is to find this matching symbol the quickest then call out what it is. There are 5 game variants so it’s easily replayable.
If you’re worried about spills and sticky drinks damaging your cards, Dobble Waterproof is designed as the perfect game to take to the beach but works just as well at the pub!
Wheels vs Doors
The kind of conversation that comes out when you’ve been at the pub a bit too long, are there more wheels or doors in the world? This viral debate inspired Format Games to create a betting game where you have to decide which is larger out of two topics. Airports or Hippos? Bristles on a Toothbrush or Varieties of Cheese?
Play individually or in teams and bet on which thing you think is larger with betting chips. This fun party game can be enjoyed by 2-20 players so everyone at the pub can get involved.
Monopoly Deal
For those seeking a taste of classic Monopoly fun in a pub-friendly format, look no further than Monopoly Deal! This fast-paced card game captures the fun of property acquisition and deal-making from the original board game, all condensed into a quick and exciting format. The game is about collecting property sets, stealing from your opponents, and keeping your bank balance healthy.
Monopoly Deal offers a perfect blend of strategy, chance, and friendly competition for your next pub trip.
Skull
Skull is a quick and easy bluffing game that contains what looks like beer mats but are in fact playing cards. At the start of the round, everybody will have 3 rose cards and 1 skull and will then place one of these cards face down on the table. A player can choose to play another card on top of their first card or vocally say how many flower cards they think they can turn over without revealing a skull card.
The simple rules and short rounds make it easy to learn and play, while the element of bluffing adds a layer of excitement and suspicion. Once you’ve got comfortable with the rules, you may even be able to make your own game of Skull out of the beer mats found at the pub!
Love letter
In Love Letter, players take on the roles of potential suitors vying for the attention of a heartbroken princess. In each round, players draw and play a single card representing a member of the royal court, with each card having a unique ability that affects gameplay and could even eliminate players. The winner is the person who has achieved a certain number of affection tokens from the princess.
Love Letter games are quick, typically lasting around 15-20 minutes, making it a great option for fitting in a round between conversations. It's a great way to add a bit of fun and friendly competition to your pub night without getting too intense.
Coup
This fast-paced bluffing game for 2-6 players throws you into a world of political intrigue. In each round, players draw two influence cards, each representing a different character with a unique ability. Players can either take the action associated with their revealed card or attempt to bluff and claim a different character's ability. If an opponent challenges you and you can’t reveal the appropriate character, you lose an influence and have to turn one character face up. If both of your characters end up face-up, you're out of the game.
Coup is a thrilling game of social deduction and strategic bluffing, perfect for a pub setting with its short rounds and focus on player interaction.
Exploding Kittens
This exciting card game is all about avoiding the dreaded Exploding Kittens while collecting sets of useful cat cards. Described as the feline version of Russian Roulette, players take turns drawing cards while trying to avoid the cat bombs which ends the game. Thankfully, helpful cat cards like the "Defuse" card or the "See the Future" card can help you navigate the deck and avoid an explosive ending.
Taking only 2 minutes to learn and 15 minutes to play, Exploding Kittens is fantastic for a quick burst of excitement. If you’re looking for a pocket-sized game to take to the pub, Grab & Game - Exploding Kittens could be the choice for you.
Lighthearted fun for all
We hope our list of games will allow you to unleash your inner game master at your next pub trip. Whether you crave strategic deduction, quick bursts of laughter, or a touch of classic Monopoly fun with a twist, there's a perfect game waiting to be discovered.
If you’re interested in exploring more games, why not check out our collections of Quick Play Games or Travel Games.