Remember the fun childhood game “Wah”? A circle of friends, laughter echoing as arms flail and someone shouts, “Wah!”—and just like that, the ice is broken. Now, let’s turn this classic game into a drinking version, making it the ultimate party starter or an all-night adventure with your closest friends.
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What Is the Wah Drinking Game?
A Wild Twist on a Classic
The Wah Drinking Game takes the beloved circle game to a whole new level by combining quick reflexes with penalty sips for every hilarious mistake. Think of it as musical chairs meets Simon Says—but louder, boozier, and way more fun.
Why This Game Is a Party Must-Have
Whether you’re breaking the ice with new friends or stirring up chaos with your besties, the Wah Drinking Game is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s the ultimate combination of competition and camaraderie, and you don’t have to be coordinated (or sober) to win. The more you mess up, the more you drink—and the funnier it gets!
How to Play the Wah Drinking Game
The Setup
- Form a Circle: Grab your group and stand (or sit) in a circle. Everyone should have their drink ready.
- Explain the Rules: Emphasize the importance of speed, accuracy, and owning up to your mistakes.
- Choose a Starter: One brave soul kicks things off with the iconic “Wah!”
Rules That Make You Sip
Here’s how the madness unfolds:
- Start the Game: The starter raises their hands above their head, palms pressed together, and shouts “Wah!” pointing at another player in the circle.
- React Quickly:
- The chosen player must immediately shout “Wah!” while mimicking the same gesture.
- Players to their left and right must shout “Ahh!” while flailing their arms sideways.
- Penalties:
- Too Slow: If anyone hesitates, they take a sip.
- Wrong Move: Mess up your gesture or shout? Sip again.
- Laughing Too Hard: Uncontrollable giggles? Yep, you’re drinking!
- Round Continues: The chosen player then picks the next target, and the game spirals into delightful chaos.
Let the Chaos Begin
The game only gets crazier as the drinks flow and reactions slow. Prepare for unexpected bursts of laughter, shouted apologies, and a few tipsy tumbles. Keep playing until everyone’s ready for a new round—or until you’re laughing too hard to care about the rules.
Wild Wah Game Variations for Adults
Take your Wah Drinking Game to the next level with these hilarious and totally out-there twists. Whether you’re aiming for absurdity, belly laughs, or an unforgettable party, these variations will turn up the chaos and keep everyone on their toes.
1. Animal Wah
Add a zoo-worthy twist! Each player must replace their “Wah!” shout with an animal sound and mimic its movement.
How It Works: When chosen, players must shout an animal noise (e.g., “Moo,” “Quack,” “Roar”) while doing a quick impression of that animal. If anyone laughs or breaks character, they take a sip.
Nothing bonds a group like pretending to be a flapping chicken or a roaring lion after a few drinks.
2. Puppet Master Wah
Choose one player to be the “puppet master” for the round.
How It Works: The puppet master makes random, silly hand gestures that the other players must copy while continuing the game. Anyone who hesitates or messes up drinks.
This game is inspired by the Zoomy Zoomy Game. Watching everyone mimic absurd movements in a circle adds a whole new level of chaos.
3. Whisper Wah
For the sneaky and mischievous, this variation forces players to keep their “Wah!” super quiet.
How It Works: Instead of yelling, players must whisper “Wah!” and make the gesture. If anyone raises their voice above a whisper, they drink.
The absurdity of trying to keep it quiet while drunk makes for uncontrollable giggles—and lots of sips!
4. Reverse Roles Wah
This variation flips the roles and doubles the confusion.
How It Works: The chosen player doesn’t shout “Wah!” Instead, the left and right players must shout “Wah!” while the middle person yells “Ahh!” Forget your role? Drink up!
It’s utter chaos as everyone tries to remember their new parts, with sips piling up for mistakes.
5. Drunk Echo Wah
Double the noise, double the fun! How It Works: After every “Wah!” the entire group must echo it in unison. If the echo is out of sync or too quiet, everyone takes a sip.
The louder and more chaotic the echoes, the funnier (and tipsier) the game becomes.
6. Spicy Wah
Add a fiery twist for brave souls. How It Works: For every penalty sip, the player must also eat a small spicy snack (like a hot chip or a dab of hot sauce).
The combination of laughter, spice, and drinks will have everyone feeling the heat—literally!
A Special Twist: Bamboo Shot Game
If you love the circle action in Wah, you’ll enjoy the Bamboo Shot Game!
Played in a circle just like Wah, this game adds a thrilling twist of timing and precision. Players take turns counting in ascending order, starting from one and continuing up to one less than the total number of players (e.g., with eight players, count from 1 to 7). The catch? If two players say the same number at the same time, both are eliminated and must take a shot!
It’s a fast-paced, hilarious game of concentration—just like Wah, but with a bit more pressure. It’s also a classic Japanese drinking game. Check it out and add more twists to your Wah game night!
Hosting the Ultimate Wah Night
Take your Wah game night to the next level with creative themes that bring the fun to life! Create a party space that screams fun! Add fairy lights, snacks, and a designated game zone where everyone can focus on the hilarity.
Themed Wah Game Nights
Turn your Wah game night into a full-blown event with these creative themes.
1. Hawaiian Wah
- Dress Code: Leis, floral shirts, grass skirts, and sunglasses.
- Drinks: Tropical cocktails like Mai Tais, Piña Coladas, or mocktail versions.
- Twist: Replace “Wah!” with a cheerful “Aloha!” while performing exaggerated hula-style movements like swaying hips or miming a ukulele. For added hilarity, each player must “pass” a tropical object—like an invisible pineapple or coconut—to the next person with their turn. Forget to say “Aloha,” skip your hula motion, or fumble the invisible object? That’s a sip for you! Bonus points for adding Hawaiian sound effects like ocean waves or a quick “Hang loose!” gesture
2. Samurai Wah
- Dress Code: Headbands, robes, or even DIY samurai swords (foam or cardboard).
- Drinks: Sake or Japanese-inspired cocktails.
- Twist: Players must shout “Wah!” while pretending to unsheathe a sword or perform a dramatic ninja move. The left and right players must yell “Ha!” like fierce warriors. Forget to stay in character or hesitate? That’s a drink!
3. Retro Wah
- Dress Code: Think 80s glam—neon colors, leg warmers, and big hair.
- Drinks: Classic cocktails like Screwdrivers, Tequila Sunrises, or Blue Lagoons.
- Twist: Replace “Wah!” with iconic 80s phrases like “Cowabunga!” or “Radical!” while throwing in exaggerated dance moves like the moonwalk, the robot, or finger guns. For an extra challenge, players must strike a ridiculous 80s-inspired pose at the end of their turn. Forget a phrase, mess up a dance move, or fail to hold your pose? Take a drink and try again!
4. Pirate Wah
- Dress Code: Eye patches, pirate hats, striped shirts, and plastic swords.
- Drinks: Rum-based cocktails like Dark ‘n’ Stormys, Mojitos, or classic grog.
- Twist: Replace “Wah!” with a hearty “Arrr!” and add swashbuckling gestures like swinging an imaginary sword or hoisting a mug of grog. The left and right players can yell “Ahoy!” instead of “Ahh!” for an extra nautical spin.
5. Zombie Wah
- Dress Code: Torn clothes, pale face paint, fake blood, and a generally undead look.
- Drinks: Bloody Marys, red wine, or any drink with a gory twist.
- Twist: Add an apocalyptic twist by turning all players into zombies. Gestures must be slow, shuffling motions, and the “Wah!” shout is replaced with groans or moans. Anyone who forgets to stay in zombie character takes a penalty sip. Bonus points for creative zombie acting!
Pro Tip: Match the music playlist (see below) to your theme for extra flair.
Epic Drinking Game Playlists
No party is complete without the right tunes to keep the energy high. Pair your Wah game night with these playlist ideas:
1. High-Energy Hits
- Keep the tempo upbeat with songs like:
- “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars.
- “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake.
- “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers.
2. Themed Playlists
- Match your Wah game theme with genre-specific tracks:
- Hawaiian Wah: Island beats like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.
- Samurai Wah: Dramatic instrumentals or traditional Japanese Taiko drums.
- Retro Wah: 80s hits like “Footloose” and “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
- Pirate Wah: Adventurous tracks like “Yo Ho (Pirates of the Caribbean)” and “Drunken Sailor” by The Irish Rovers.
- Zombie Wah: Spooky tracks like “Disturbia” by Rihanna or “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.
3. Funny Additions
- Add silly sound effects or meme-worthy tracks for a laugh, like “Yakety Sax” (a.k.a. the Benny Hill theme).
From themed nights to creative props, the Wah Drinking Game is a canvas for your wildest party ideas. Whether you’re shouting “Wah!” in a Hawaiian shirt, pretending to be a samurai, or cracking up at a friend’s chicken impression, this game is guaranteed to be the highlight of your night.
So grab your drinks, pick a theme, and let the Wah-inspired madness unfold. And remember, the louder, sillier, and more outrageous, the better!