Ready to test your drinking endurance? Gather your friends, grab your beers, and brace yourself for the ultimate challenge: Century Club Drinking Game. One ounce of beer, every minute, for 100 minutes. Only the strong survive, but if you’re aiming to not just make it through but dominate the game, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into the Century Club challenge and its wild variations.
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What is the Century Club Drinking Game?
The Century Club drinking game is a test of endurance, willpower, and your ability to hold beer—lots of beer. The premise is straightforward: every minute for 100 minutes, you take a 1-ounce shot of beer. That’s a little over nine full cans of beer in just over an hour and a half. It’s easy to start off confident, but as the minutes tick by, the challenge becomes harder than it seems.
The game’s origins are a bit hazy, much like its players after about 50 minutes. It’s been a staple in college dorms, house parties, and bachelor parties for years. What makes it so popular? It’s simple, social, and gets competitive quickly. Plus, it’s surprisingly intense. Just try keeping up after shot 75—you’ll see what I mean.
Some versions of the game tweak the rules. You might see people using 1.5-ounce shots or adding fun challenges after every 10th shot to spice things up. But in the purest form, it’s just you, your beer, and 100 increasingly difficult minutes.
How to Play Century Club Drinking Game
What You’ll Need:
- Beer (obviously): At least nine cans per person.
- Shot glass: Preferably a 1-ounce shot glass, but some people use slightly bigger ones for added difficulty.
- Timer: You’ll need a reliable timer that goes off every minute. Some people use a phone timer app, but if you want to go old school, a designated “timekeeper” can shout out when it’s time to take the next shot.
- Friends: Because what’s a drinking game without a little camaraderie (or competition)?
Pro Tip: Make sure to have a designated timekeeper if you’re playing with a group. As the game progresses, you’ll probably start losing track of time… and shots.
Basic Rules:
- Every player takes one shot of beer every minute for 100 minutes straight.
- If you miss a shot, you’re out (or you can tweak this rule to allow for catch-up sips).
- The goal is to complete all 100 shots. Those who do are crowned champions of the Century Club.
It might sound easy, but when you’re staring down shot 57 and the beer in your belly feels like a tidal wave, you’ll start second-guessing your decision.
Best Beers to Use for Century Club
Choosing the right beer for Century Club is crucial. You want something light enough to handle in large quantities but flavorful enough to make 100 shots interesting. Here’s a ranked list of beers that balance drinkability and flavor:
1. Coors Light
It’s light, smooth, and low in alcohol (4.2%), making it ideal for a long-haul drinking game like Century Club. It won’t overwhelm your taste buds, and it’s easy to drink over extended periods.
2. Bud Light
Another classic light beer that’s super refreshing and won’t weigh you down. At 4.2% ABV, it’s similar to Coors, and the subtle flavor makes it go down easy.
3. Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)
PBR is a staple at college parties for a reason. It’s light, inexpensive, and has a crisp, clean taste. The slightly higher alcohol content (4.8%) means it might sneak up on you by shot 80, but it’s still manageable.
4. Miller Lite
With a slightly fuller taste than some of the other light beers, Miller Lite brings a bit more flavor to the table without being overpowering. It’s perfect if you want a little more character in your beer.
5. Corona Extra
If you want to add a touch of beach vibes to your Century Club game, Corona is a solid choice. It’s refreshing and light, but the 4.6% ABV means it’ll hit a bit harder than Bud or Coors, so pace yourself.
Trust me, avoid heavy or high-alcohol beers for Century Club. Craft beers, stouts, or IPAs might sound tempting, but you’ll regret that decision when you’re only halfway through!
Fun Century Club Variations & Challenges
If you’re looking to mix things up and add a bit of creativity to your game, try out these Century Club variations.
The Ultimate Costume Challenge
Spice up your Century Club experience by adding a costume theme. Before the game begins, everyone dresses up as their favorite character—whether it’s a superhero, a historical figure, or a meme. The catch? After every 20 shots, players have to switch one part of their costume with someone else’s, leading to hilarious, mismatched outfits by the end. Imagine wearing a cape, a pirate hat, and a tutu all at once!
Century Club Karaoke Edition
For a karaoke drinking game twist, every 10th shot comes with a musical twist. Players must perform a karaoke song of their choice for the group while taking their shot. As the game goes on, expect off-key singing, forgotten lyrics, and wildly enthusiastic air guitar solos. The player who delivers the best (or worst) performance after 100 shots gets to pick a “final encore” song for everyone to belt out together.
Truth or Drink Century Club
Turn the game into an epic truth-or-dare adventure. Every 5 shots, someone gets to ask a wild “truth” question to another player. The twist? If they refuse to answer, they have to take a bonus shot. This version is guaranteed to uncover some hilarious secrets while ramping up the intensity of the game. Just be ready for some spicy confessions!
Century Club of Doom
After every 10 shots, roll a six-sided die to determine your fate: 1 = Take an extra shot 2 = Do 10 push-ups 3 = Switch drinks with someone else for the next round 4 = Pick a player to take two shots 5 = Perform a ridiculous dance for 30 seconds 6 = You’re safe (but maybe not for long).
By the end of the game, players will be enduring bizarre tasks while trying to keep their shot count steady, making it equal parts competitive and absurd.
Drinking Games Around the World Beyond Century Club
If you’ve conquered Century Club and still have the energy to keep going, why not switch things up with some drinking games from around the world? These global favorites add culture, fun, and a lot of laughs to any party. Here’s what to play next:
1. China – Liar’s Dice
Known as a traditional game of deception, Liar’s Dice involves players rolling dice in secret and bluffing about the results. The aim is to outwit your opponents and call their bluff before they call yours. It’s a fast-paced game where both your poker face and drinking stamina will be tested. Lose a round? Take a drink!
2. South Korea – Titanic
In the Titanic drinking game, a shot glass is floated in a glass of beer. Players take turns pouring alcohol (usually soju) into the shot glass, little by little. The tension rises as the shot glass gradually sinks—when it finally does, the unlucky player who caused it must down the whole drink. The anticipation makes each round more thrilling than the last.
3. UK – Pub Golf
Combining the pub crawl with a competitive drinking game, Pub Golf involves visiting a series of pubs (holes), where players try to finish their drink in as few gulps (strokes) as possible. Just like real golf, there’s a scorecard, and the player with the lowest score at the end wins. It’s a fun and boozy way to explore local watering holes, with a competitive twist.
4. USA – Presidents and Assholes
A fan-favorite among college students, this card game is all about establishing a hierarchy. The “President” gets to make the rules, while the “Asshole” has to obey them—often with hilarious consequences. Presidents and Assholes is a mix of strategy, luck, and social standing, and you’ll be drinking at every turn. Rise to power, or prepare to down some shots!
5. Australia – Thunderstruck
Set to AC/DC’s legendary anthem “Thunderstruck,” this game is all about timing. As the song plays, one person starts drinking at the first mention of “Thunder” and doesn’t stop until the next “Thunder” is sung, then it passes to the next person. It sounds simple, but as the song goes on, the gaps between “Thunder” grow, and the drinks just keep flowing!
6. Spain – Kinito
A dice game with quick reflexes and fast drinking. In the Kinito drinking game, players roll dice and must match specific combinations. Failing to roll the right numbers? That’s a drink for you! It’s a fast-paced, high-energy game where both luck and speed are rewarded—or punished, depending on how well you roll.
Century Club Alternatives: How to Play Without Beer
Don’t like beer? No problem! Here are some Century Club alternatives that still bring the fun:
- Hard Seltzer Century: Swap beer for hard seltzers like White Claw. The lighter carbonation and fruity flavors make this a refreshing alternative. Just be cautious of the higher alcohol content!
- Cider Century: If you prefer something sweeter, try cider. It’s easy to drink and adds some variety, but it can get a bit heavy by shot 80, so pace yourself.
- Mocktail Century: For non-drinkers, a mocktail version of Century Club is a great option. Use fun, fruity mixes or sparkling water to keep the game exciting without alcohol.
Winning Strategies for Century Club
Okay, so you’ve got the basics down. Now, how do you actually survive this game without becoming a cautionary tale?
- Pacing is Key: Don’t chug your beer too fast. It’s tempting to down the shot quickly, but the cumulative effect of alcohol can sneak up on you. Drink at a steady pace and keep your breathing calm.
- Eat Snacks Between Rounds: Munch on pretzels, chips, or anything salty. It not only helps absorb the alcohol but also gives you something to focus on other than the rising tide of beer in your stomach.
- Have a Water Bottle Ready: Between every five shots or so, take a small sip of water. It helps you stay hydrated without diluting the fun too much.
- Stay Focused: Distractions are your friend! Keep conversation going, watch some TV, or play background music to take your mind off the clock. Time flies when you’re having fun, and that’ll help you get through the later stages.
- Stay Upright: Sitting down or lying back might feel tempting as the beer kicks in, but staying upright helps your stomach handle the volume better.
Hangover Recovery Guide After a Wild Century Club Night
You made it through Century Club, but now it’s time to deal with the aftermath. Here’s how to recover like a champ:
- Hydrate Immediately: Before bed, down a large glass of water and take an electrolyte drink (like Pedialyte or Gatorade). This will help combat dehydration.
- Eat a Hearty Breakfast: The next morning, eat something with protein and carbs to restore your energy. Eggs, toast, and a side of bacon will do wonders.
- Take Pain Relievers: A mild pain reliever (like ibuprofen) can help if you wake up with a splitting headache.
- Get Some Rest: Don’t expect to bounce back right away. Take it easy, relax, and sleep it off if you need to.
Power Hour vs Century Club: Which is Tougher?
If you’ve ever tried Power Hour, you might be wondering how it compares to Century Club. Power Hour involves taking a shot of beer every minute for 60 minutes. While it’s a good warm-up for the hardcore, it’s not nearly as intense as the Century Club.
The extra 40 minutes in Century Club make a huge difference. Your tolerance might carry you through the first 60 minutes, but by minute 70, you’ll probably feel like you’ve hit a wall. The difficulty increases exponentially with each minute that passes after Power Hour ends. That’s why Century Club is seen as the ultimate test of beer endurance.