So you’ve been playing “Beer Pong” for years, hurling ping pong balls into cups and chugging cheap beer like it’s a college rite of passage. But someone at the party suddenly calls it “Beirut” and insists there’s a difference. Wait, what? Are there two names for the same game—or have you been playing it all wrong this whole time?
Welcome to the world of the Beirut drinking game. Whether you’re here to settle the “Beirut vs. Beer Pong” debate, find official rules, or plan a wild party variation, this guide is your ultimate shot at mastering the no-paddle classic.
Table of Contents
What Is the Beirut Drinking Game?
Beirut Drinking Game Origin and Name Meaning
Beirut, the drinking game—not the capital of Lebanon—has a surprisingly disputed name origin. The name “Beirut” allegedly came about during the 1980s, a time when American media frequently reported on the Lebanese Civil War. The idea? Players are “bombing” cups, just like Beirut was being bombed. A bit dark, sure, but that’s the lore.
Over time, “Beirut” became a popular name for the no-paddle version of the game. Think of it as ping pong’s reckless, slightly buzzed cousin. Today, people toss the terms “Beirut” and “Beer Pong” interchangeably, but there’s a critical difference—and we’re about to serve it up.
Beirut vs Beer Pong: What’s the Real Difference?
Let’s clear this up once and for all:
- Beer Pong = Uses paddles. Think actual ping pong rules with booze.
- Beirut = No paddles. Just bare hands, ping pong balls, and precise aim.
That’s it. Simple, right? In most modern college circles, “Beer Pong” has become the default name—even when paddles are nowhere to be found. But purists still cling to “Beirut” for the OG version. So next time someone corrects you mid-throw, just smile and ask if they brought paddles.
Beirut Drinking Game Rules
Beirut Drinking Game Setup: Cups, Table, Beer
You’ll need the following setup for a proper game:
- 10 cups per side, arranged in a triangle (think bowling pins)
- Ping pong balls—at least two
- Standard folding table (around 8 feet long)
- Plenty of cheap beer
Fill each cup with a few ounces of beer. Water is often used during long nights to preserve liver function, but beer is still the tradition. Place the triangle at the end of each side of the table.
How to Play Beirut Step-by-Step
- Teams: Two players per team.
- Turns: Each team gets two shots per turn (one per player).
- The Shot: Throw the ping pong ball into the opposing team’s cups.
- Scoring: If the ball lands in a cup, that cup is removed, and a player on the other team drinks its contents.
- Re-racks: Teams can request a reformation of the remaining cups (e.g., 6-cup line, diamond) once or twice per game.
- Bounce Rule: If a shot bounces off the table into a cup, it counts as two—unless swatted away.
The first team to eliminate all the opponent’s cups wins. Losers? Finish the remaining beer. And maybe the pizza.
Beirut Drinking Game House Rules & Penalties
Reddit is full of wild house rules that keep the game interesting. A few popular ones:
- Death Cup: If a player makes a ball into a cup that’s already been pulled but not yet drank, the game ends instantly.
- Blow or Finger Rule: If the ball is spinning inside the cup, girls can blow it out; guys have to finger it out. Yeah, it’s ridiculous, and yeah, people argue about it constantly.
- Celebrity Shot: Let a random partygoer take a bonus shot for your team. Risky? Always.
These variations add unpredictability—and usually a whole lot of yelling.
Beirut Drinking Game Variations & Party Ideas
Whether you’re playing in a packed college basement, a beach bonfire, or your parents’ suspiciously clean garage, the classic Beirut rules can only carry you so far. That’s where these over-the-top variations come in. They’ll keep your parties unpredictable, high-energy, and full of “Did-that-just-happen?” moments.
1. Theme Night Beirut: Dress to Drink
Crank up the immersion by matching your game night with ridiculous themes. Costumes aren’t optional—they’re required.
Theme Ideas:
- “Frat Formal” – Tuxedo shirts, red solo cups, and fake mustaches.
- “Apocalypse Pong” – Torn clothes, smoke machine, zombie rules: if a team loses all cups without sinking any, they must crawl away.
- “Vegas Night” – Sunglasses at night, glitter everywhere, and random “dealer” penalties.
Add themed props, drinks, and even penalty rules. Bonus: Offer a prize for best costume or most in-character behavior.
2. Speed Round Beirut: Pong Meets Adrenaline
For the impatient or the highly caffeinated.
- Use 3-second shot clocks. If you don’t shoot in time, your team drinks.
- Introduce a shot timer app that screams when time’s up.
- Teams can only talk in single words to increase confusion and chaos.
Play to 6 cups instead of 10 to keep games snappy and competitive.
3. Obstacle Pong: Beirut Meets Wipeout
Turn your table into a booby-trapped arena.
- Place random objects (red cups, stuffed animals, action figures, Jenga blocks) in front of cups as obstacles.
- Throwers must bounce, curve, or lob around them.
- Introduce a rotating fan mid-table. Yes, it’s as hard as it sounds.
This is great for outdoor parties where space allows creativity, absurdity, and falling over without breaking anything important.
4. Role-Playing Beirut: Choose Your Character
Give players a role or persona with an assigned power or weakness. Think “Mario Kart,” but beer-based.
Sample Roles:
- The Sniper: Can re-roll one missed shot per game.
- The Drunk Monk: Takes a shot of beer before every turn, but gets +1 point if they land the ball.
- The Jester: Must tell a joke before every throw. If no one laughs, the cup doesn’t count.
Write roles on cards and assign them randomly before each game. Pure chaos = guaranteed laughs.
5. Trap Cup Beirut
Every game, randomly pick one “Trap Cup” per team. If a player hits it, instead of the opponent drinking, your own team drinks—and loses two turns.
Mark the bottom of the trap cup with an “X” before the game and reveal it dramatically when hit. Bonus: Add multiple trap cups in larger setups.
6. Cursed Beirut: House Rules From Hell
Combine all your worst ideas into one cursed match.
- No speaking above a whisper.
- Every third round, switch to your non-dominant hand.
- If the ball bounces off a wall and goes in, you win instantly (aka The Bank Shot of Destiny).
- Re-racks must be done blindfolded, with a teammate describing the cup formation.
You only play one round of Cursed Beirut—but you’ll talk about it forever.
7. Drinking Game Gauntlet: Beirut + More
Beirut is just one level. Create a party mini-tournament where teams must beat several drinking games in a row.
Suggested lineup:
- Flip Cup – Best of 3.
- Beruit/Beer Pong – Standard rules.
- Kings Cup Lightning Round – Only five minutes.
- Shot Glass Memory Match – Like the card game, but the wrong match means you drink.
Keep score and crown the champions of the Drunken Decathlon. Bonus points if the trophy is just a golden toilet brush.
Party Tips to Level-Up the Beirut Experience:
- Light it up: Use LED beer pong balls and glow-in-the-dark cups for night games.
- Photo Booths: Add a corner with ridiculous props and an instant camera.
- MC the Madness: Assign someone as the “game announcer” with a mic or megaphone.
- Customized Cups: Print player names, memes, or phrases on solo cups.
- Hydration Station: Always, always keep a water station nearby. Heroes drink water too.
Final Cup: Why Beirut Will Always Be a Party Classic
Whether you call it Beirut, Beer Pong, or “That Game With the Cups and the Yelling,” this no-paddle legend has earned its place at every dorm party, backyard barbecue, and wedding after-party. It’s easy to play, impossible to master, and endlessly fun!
Beirut Drinking Game FAQs
Why is Beer Pong called Beirut?
The name “Beirut” came into use during the 1980s, especially on college campuses like Lehigh University. At the time, news coverage of the Lebanese Civil War—specifically bombings in Beirut—was constant. Students jokingly said the chaotic sound of ping pong balls hitting cups across a noisy party resembled bombs dropping—hence the nickname “Beirut.”
Can I play Beirut without alcohol?
Absolutely. Try it with juice, soda, water, or even weird stuff like pickle juice if you want to get wild without getting drunk. Fun doesn’t require alcohol—just creativity and good friends.
What’s the best drink for Beirut drinking game?
Go with light beer if you’re sticking to tradition. It’s cheap, it’s easy to chug, and it won’t wreck your night after two rounds. But cider, seltzers, or even mocktails can make a great alternative.
What’s the difference between Beirut and beer pong?
Technically, Beirut and beer pong are the same game—you toss ping pong balls into cups of beer on the other side of a table.
But some old-school definitions say:
– Beirut = no paddles (just throwing the ball).
– Beer Pong = uses paddles (like ping pong with drinking penalties).
Nowadays, nearly everyone just calls it beer pong, even though the hand-throwing version is technically Beirut.
Is beer pong 4 3 2 1?
That’s the classic 10-cup formation:
– 4 cups in the back row, then 3, then 2, then 1 (like a pyramid).
– As the game goes on, you can ask for re-racks—like reshaping the cups into easier formations: 3-in-a-row, diamond, straight line, etc.
House rules vary, so check with your host before trying to get fancy.