5 Bar Games That Keep Wisconsin Bars Hopping

Walk into any Wisconsin bar, and chances are, there’s probably something happening.

Whether it’s the latest gossip, a surprise round of drinks, or a comfortable argument, things are never dull. Our favorite commotion though is always the bar games! They’re also a great way to get up and move while you’re at the bar. They’re also a great conversation starter - we’ve made some fast friends over billiards or darts at our favorite dive bars.

Some bars have softball, volleyball, or horseshoe teams, but those can’t be played reliably through a Wisconsin winter. But here are 5 bar games you can enjoy all year-round.

1.       Hook and Ring Toss

This indoor game is simple, but not easy! Try to swing a metal ring onto a metal hook.
If you’re thinking it’s too easy, you’ve clearly never played it!
We love it because it’s a fun and low-maintenance game that anyone can play. But did you know it’s been played in Wisconsin’s bars and pubs for hundreds of years?!
Throughout the years it has gone through several names, like Bimini Ring or Ring the Bull - however, the game itself hasn’t changed much at all over the years. It’s a tried-and-true staple!

2.       Pool

Billiards, or pool, is a classic bar game that has encouraged people to get up and socialize, even if they occasionally get a little too competitive. It’s been around... well since almost forever.
Billard's really does add an element of cool to any local bar. Like bowling, pool is fun even when you’re not that good at it – heck sometimes it’s even more fun if you’re bad.
That said, a really good player can often draw a crowd and give bargoers something to talk about for days.

3.       Jenga

Jenga is a childhood favorite that has become increasingly popular in bars. This tower-stacking game requires little planning and a lot of coordination, which means as the drinks flow, the games get more and more... interesting.
It comes in either standard or super-sized versions and once they start, folks are sure to keep playing non-stop. Although it can get a little loud, it’s simple, easy to learn, and has enough “gotcha” moments for you and your friends to have something to do between rounds!

4.       Darts

One of the classic bar games is darts, which has been played in bars and pubs since before World War I. Dartboards, and accompanying equipment, can be relatively inexpensive. Even better, they give you the opportunity to start leagues and encourage your friends to join your league.

5.       Dice Games

A few dice and some cups are all you need for hours of fun. From playing for cash on a “sign-in pool,” to rolling the dice to see what kind of shot you will be taking, lots of bars will provide some type of informational cards that help to explain the rules to a few of the more popular games to give you a head start.
For a great tutorial, check out Charlie Berens as he teaches you how to play dice in Wisconsin bars!

Bar games can be a great conversation starter while also allowing you to get up and move around while you’re at the bar with friends. So, whether you play bar league softball, volleyball, or horseshoes in summer, when it comes to those bitter Wisconsin winters, you will have to settle for an inside game or two. Games like Hook and Ring Toss, Pool, Jenga, Darts, and Dice games are such to keep the fun going!

If you have played any other unique and fun bar games, please share them with us! We can’t get enough of these fun, indoor games!