Few films have sparked a drinking game as notorious as the Withnail and I drinking game. This 1987 British cult classic, starring Richard E. Grant as the perpetually inebriated Withnail, follows two out-of-work actors on a chaotic countryside retreat fueled by alcohol, despair, and absurdity. Naturally, fans took it a step further—turning the film’s relentless boozing into a challenge: could they match Withnail drink for drink in real time?
Curious about the details? Wondering if anyone has actually completed it? Read on to learn the rules, the risks, and the safer alternatives to surviving the Withnail and I drinking game.
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What is the Withnail and I Drinking Game?
The Withnail and I drinking game is simple in concept but nearly impossible in execution. The challenge? Drink exactly what Withnail drinks, when he drinks it, as you watch the film.
The origins of the game are unclear, but it likely started as a joke among fans who noticed just how much alcohol the characters consume. Over time, it became an underground tradition—one attempted by brave (or foolish) cinephiles, many of whom realized too late that keeping up with Withnail is a terrible idea.
Unlike most movie drinking games, which involve taking a sip during specific moments, this one requires consuming entire drinks. Given that Withnail’s alcohol intake includes multiple bottles of wine, whiskey, and even a shot of lighter fluid, the game is less of a fun challenge and more of a reckless endurance test.
The Official Withnail and I Drinking Game Rules
Objective:
The goal is simple in theory but nearly impossible in practice: drink exactly what Withnail drinks, when he drinks it, in the amounts he drinks it while watching Withnail and I. This means following along with every sip, gulp, and shot that appears on screen.
Basic Rules:
- Match Withnail drink-for-drink – Whenever Withnail consumes alcohol, you must take an equivalent drink. If he takes a sip, you sip. If he downs a double whiskey, so do you.
- Only on-screen consumption counts – If Withnail finishes a drink off-camera, you get a free pass.
- Substitutes allowed (but still questionable) – Lighter fluid is not recommended, so most players swap it with overproof rum, vinegar, or anything equally disgusting but non-toxic.
- Prepare in advance – Drinks follow in rapid succession, so having everything lined up in order is crucial for keeping pace.
The Full Withnail Drinking List:
This is what you’ll need to consume if you’re brave (or foolish) enough to attempt the full game:
- Red Wine – 9 ½ glasses
- Whiskey – 13 measures
- Sherry – 6 glasses
- Gin – 2 ½ shots
- Ale – ½ pint
- Cider – ½ pint
- Lighter Fluid – (Strongly advised against. Use a substitute.)
Breakdown of Drinking Moments (If You Dare):
- Mouthful of red wine
- “Lighter fluid” (substitutes: overproof rum, vinegar)
- Double gin
- Three fingers of cider (with ice)
- Glass of sherry
- Two big chugs of sherry
- Mouthful of sherry
- Sip of sherry
- Double whiskey
- Multiple mouthfuls of whiskey
- Splash of whiskey
- Single Teachers whiskey
- Double Teachers whiskey (twice)
- Single Teachers whiskey
- Sip of sherry
- Three fingers of ale
- Sip of red wine
- Gulp of sherry
- Small glass of red wine
- Half glass of red wine
- Sip of gin & bitter lemon (unclear)
- Several gulps and sips of red wine
- Multiple gulps of ‘53 Margaux red wine
Reality Check – Is This Even Possible?
Drinking this much alcohol in one sitting is dangerous and would likely result in a trip to the emergency room. Most players either fail miserably or modify the rules to make the game more survivable:
- The Casual Fan Version: Take a sip instead of a full drink. This allows players to participate without serious consequences.
- The Hardcore Fan Version: Follow the full game rules, but pace yourself and drink responsibly. Some players spread the drinks over multiple viewings.
- The Non-Alcoholic Version: Replace alcohol with tea, soda, or juice for a fun but safe experience.
These versions allow fans to enjoy the film and the challenge without putting their health at risk.
Safe & Fun Alternatives
For those who want to enjoy the Withnail and I drinking game without severe consequences, there are safer ways to play.
- Phrase-Based Drinking: Instead of matching Withnail’s drinks, take a sip whenever he says something iconic, such as:
- “We want the finest wines available to humanity!”
- “I demand to have some booze!”
- “I’ve only had a few ales.”
- One Drink Per Scene: Pick a single type of alcohol and take small sips when Withnail drinks.
- Tea Party Version: Replace all alcohol with tea or soft drinks, keeping the spirit of the game without the side effects.
These alternatives let fans participate in the tradition without risking their well-being.
Wild Variations of the Withnail and I Drinking Game
If you’re looking for a fresh spin on the Withnail and I drinking game that doesn’t involve ending up in an A&E ward, here are some hilarious, absurd, and (mostly) safer variations.
1. The “I’m a Seasoned Professional” Challenge
For: People who think they can outdrink Withnail (spoiler: you can’t)
How to Play:
- Follow the traditional rules, but double everything Withnail drinks.
- You must also match Danny the drug dealer’s consumption, so have a joint (or something herbal and legal) ready.
- Every time Uncle Monty appears, finish whatever drink is in your hand.
Winning Condition:
- You don’t win. Nobody wins.
2. The “Uncle Monty” Seduction Game
For: Fans of unwanted poetic advances
How to Play:
- Whenever Uncle Monty makes a romantic or deeply uncomfortable comment, take a sip.
- If it’s directed at Marwood, take two sips.
- If someone in your group whispers “I mean to have you, even if it must be burglary”, the last person to shout “Flowers are essentially tarts!” must finish their drink.
Winning Condition:
- You must successfully escape a fictional Uncle Monty encounter (or at least pretend you have).
3. The “Finest Wines Available to Humanity” Experience
For: Wine snobs and people who want to feel fancy before they pass out
How to Play:
- You may only drink wine.
- Every time Withnail orders, demands, or waxes poetic about alcohol, take a sip.
- If someone in your group says “I don’t advise a haircut, man. All hairdressers are in the employment of the government”, everyone must drink.
- If the ’53 Margaux scene comes up, drink an entire glass and loudly announce that it tastes like a summer’s day in France.
Winning Condition:
- If you start talking like Withnail and/or attempting to commit mild fraud to obtain more wine, you win.
4. The “Bastard’s Got Polaroids” Scandal Edition
For: Those who love drama and being very, very paranoid
How to Play:
- Every time someone in the film is accused of something, take a drink.
- If someone in your group accuses another player of a crime (real or fictional), the accused must drink unless they can come up with an alibi in 5 seconds.
- If anyone finds actual old Polaroids or embarrassing photos on their phone, they must pass their drink to someone else.
Winning Condition:
- You make it through the night with your reputation intact (unlikely).
5. The “We’ve Gone on Holiday by Mistake” Disaster Game
For: Anyone who has ever had a terrible vacation and survived to tell the tale
How to Play:
- Every time something goes catastrophically wrong in the film, drink.
- If a real-life bad holiday story gets told by someone in your group, everyone else must drink in sympathy.
- If you run out of alcohol, you must announce dramatically:
“We’ve gone on holiday by mistake!” - The last person to react must take a penalty shot.
Winning Condition:
- If nobody books an emergency Uber to escape, you win.
6. The “Lighter Fluid” Madness Mode
For: Absolute lunatics who want a challenge without the liver damage
How to Play:
- Instead of matching Withnail’s drinks with alcohol, replace them with increasingly disgusting, weird, or questionable beverages.
- Example substitutions:
- Red wine → Ketchup diluted in water
- Whiskey → Apple cider vinegar
- Gin → Pickle juice
- Lighter fluid → The worst drink your friends can find (suggestions: fermented fish brine, soy sauce shot, milk mixed with beer)
- Every time Withnail insults Marwood, the victim must drink from the worst concoction available.
Winning Condition:
- You survive without throwing up or disowning your friends.
7. The “Danny’s Herbal Refreshment” Version
For: Those who want to play without blacking out (or need a break from alcohol)
How to Play:
- Every time Danny appears, you must inhale something (could be a vape, scented candle, or something more recreational).
- Replace alcohol with hot tea and play as a gentleman of leisure.
- If anyone in your group attempts a philosophical monologue, everyone else must nod seriously and sip their drink.
- If someone falls asleep mid-film, they are crowned “Camberwell Carrot” and must finish their drink upon waking.
Winning Condition:
- If you make it through the film feeling mildly enlightened rather than fully unconscious, you win.
8. The “Genuine Refugee” Sobriety Game
For: Those who want the chaos of Withnail, but without the alcohol
How to Play:
- Instead of drinking alcohol, keep a flask of tea, water, or juice.
- Every time Withnail drinks, exaggeratedly judge him while taking a sip of your wholesome beverage.
- If anyone in your group laughs so hard they spill their drink, they must clean up without help as a punishment for their sins.
- The first person to say, “I feel terrible”, must be dramatically comforted by the group.
Winning Condition:
- You remain hydrated, well-caffeinated, and morally superior by the end of the film.
9. The “Hi Bob” Crossover Edition
For: Those who love classic drinking games and want to mix chaos with nostalgia
How to Play:
This version combines the Withnail and I drinking game with the legendary “Hi Bob drinking game”, originally based on The Bob Newhart Show, where players drink every time a character says “Bob.” But in this case:
- Take a sip every time someone says “Withnail.”
- Take a sip every time someone says “Marwood” (though you’ll quickly realize his name is never actually spoken in the film).
- If Uncle Monty dramatically calls Marwood “dear boy,” finish your drink.
- Any time someone in your group mistakenly refers to Marwood as “I” (as he’s never named), they must take a penalty shot.
Winning Condition:
If you make it through the film without forgetting your own name, congratulations—you’ve won.
Salute to A Nostalgia Drinking Game
The Withnail and I drinking game is legendary for a reason. It’s one of the most extreme movie-based drinking challenges ever devised, and attempting it seriously is a recipe for disaster. That said, the game remains a hilarious tribute to one of the greatest cult films of all time.
For those bold enough to try, modifying the rules is highly recommended. There’s no shame in taking the safe route—after all, even Withnail himself would probably agree that finishing this game is madness.
And if you do decide to take part, remember Withnail’s immortal words: “I demand to have some booze!” But maybe don’t take him too literally.