Looking for a party game that’s simple, wild, and unforgettable? Meet the Roxanne drinking game, inspired by The Police’s hit song. No complex setup—just drinks, the song Roxanne, and a heads-up: this game is fast-paced! We’ll walk you through the rules, safety tips, and some fun twists to keep everyone entertained.
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What is the Roxanne Drinking Game?
The Roxanne drinking game is a party classic where each beat aligns with a lyric, and every lyric means another drink. The rules are simple yet challenging—perfect for adding a twist to social gatherings.
Rooted in The Police’s 1978 song, this game has been popular at house parties for years, thanks to its high energy and simplicity. The game is split into two teams, and every mention of “Roxanne” or “put on the red light” signals the next round of drinks. Just make sure everyone is up for the challenge, because it’s fast-paced and can be intense!
How to Play the Roxanne Drinking Game
Game Requirements
To get started, here’s what you’ll need:
- Song: Load Roxanne by The Police on your preferred music player.
- Speakers: Set up speakers so the song is loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.
- Drinks: Each player should have a drink of choice—alcoholic or non-alcoholic options are fine, depending on preferences.
Team Setup
Most players divide into two groups, typically by gender (girls vs. boys) or any other preferred way. One team will drink every time “Roxanne” is sung, and the other drinks at “put on the red light.”
Lyrics as Drink Triggers
To get a sense of how often you’ll be drinking, here’s a breakdown of the lyrics:
- “Roxanne” appears repeatedly throughout the song, making up the primary drinking cue for one team.
- “Put on the red light” is also sung multiple times, keeping the other team equally engaged.
This back-and-forth between lyrics keeps the game lively but can also mean heavy drinking, so it’s wise to pace yourself and stay hydrated.
Fun Variations for Roxanne Drinking Game
1. Ultimate Roxanne Remix Challenge
Think you’ve conquered the original Roxanne drinking game? Try this next-level twist:
- New Rule: Drink on both “Roxanne” and “put on the red light.”
- Bonus Move: Whenever there’s an instrumental break or guitar riff, everyone raises their glass and busts a wild dance move for five seconds before drinking.
- Why It’s Fun: The combination of fast-paced lyrics and spontaneous dance moves keeps everyone laughing and on their toes, especially as the riffs stretch longer and longer!
2. Tag-Team Roxanne
Bring some teamwork into the mix! This variation adds a relay race-style spin.
- Setup: Pair up into teams of two.
- Rules: Each time one person has to drink, they “tag” their partner, who finishes their drink before the next cue. Think of it as a drinking relay race!
- What Makes It Hilarious: It doubles the challenge and the laughs as partners cheer each other on, all while racing to keep up with the beat.
3. The Detective Roxanne
Add a bit of mystery to your Roxanne game with this clever twist.
- Game Objective: At the start, someone is secretly chosen as “Detective Roxanne.”
- The Detective’s Role: Their mission is to blend in by pretending to drink without being obvious. The rest of the group has to figure out who the detective is before the end of the song.
- Guessing Rules: If someone correctly points out the detective, they’re immune from drinking in the next round. If they’re wrong, they have to finish their drink.
- Why It’s a Crowd-Pleaser: The hidden identity and the detective’s sneaky sips add a hilarious layer of suspense as everyone tries to spot the impostor.
More Music Drinking Games Like Roxanne
Thunderstruck (by AC/DC)
Get ready for an electrifying drinking game based on AC/DC’s iconic anthem Thunderstruck. Here’s how it works:
- Start the Song: Gather in a circle, each person with a drink.
- Rules: Every time you hear the word “thunder,” the next person in line has to chug their drink until the next “thunder” comes up. The suspense builds as players wait for their cue!
- Missed Cue: If someone misses their “thunder” cue, they take an extra sip as a penalty.
Shots (by LMFAO)
Get ready to party hard with LMFAO’s Shots. It’s as literal as it gets:
- Play the Song: Start Shots by LMFAO, and every time you hear “shots,” everyone takes—you guessed it—a shot!
- Optional Twist: For a milder version, alternate each “shots” cue with a sip instead. It’s a rowdy, fast-paced game guaranteed to get the party going!
APT (by ROSÉ & Bruno Mars)
For a K-pop twist, try the APT drinking game with the collaboration between ROSÉ and Bruno Mars.
- ROSÉ’s “Apateu”: Each time ROSÉ sings “Apateu, Apathy,” take a small sip.
- Chorus Toast: When they sing together, raise a toast and take a big drink!
- Extra Challenge: Count every “Uh, uh-huh, uh-huh” throughout the song. The player with the closest guess can assign an extra sip to anyone of their choice.
These spins on popular songs are sure to keep the energy high and everyone entertained—just remember to pace yourself and enjoy responsibly!
The Roxanne drinking game is your ticket to an epic night! Whether you’re keeping it classic or diving into wild twists like the Detective or Ultimate Remix, the laughs (and sips) are endless. Plus, with song games like Thunderstruck, Shots, and APT, there’s always another round waiting. So grab your drink, turn up the volume, and get ready for a night of unforgettable fun—just remember to drink smart and make it to the end! Cheers!
FAQs for Roxanne Drinking Game
How many times is “Roxanne” said in the song?
The name “Roxanne” is repeated 26 times throughout the song.
How many times is “Put on the red light” said in the song?
The phrase “Put on the red light” appears 24 times in the song.
Is the Roxanne drinking game safe?
Like all drinking games, it’s as safe as you make it! Due to the fast pace, it’s easy to overdo it, so remember to take small sips, stay hydrated, and know your limits. If it feels too intense, take a break or switch to a non-alcoholic option.
How long does the Roxanne drinking game last?
The song Roxanne is about 3 minutes and 12 seconds long, so the game moves quickly. It’s a great option for short bursts of energy and can be followed by other games or played in rounds if your group wants more.
Can we play the Roxanne drinking game with non-alcoholic drinks?
Absolutely! The game works just as well with mocktails, soda, or any other non-alcoholic beverage. This way, everyone can join in the fun without needing alcohol.
What’s a good way to split teams?
Typically, people split by gender (e.g., girls vs. boys), but feel free to mix it up! You can go by different categories like hair color, shirt color, or randomly assign players to each team. Whatever makes it fun for your group!
Can we add more rules to make it challenging?
Definitely! Some fun add-ons include dancing every time you hear a guitar riff, taking a group drink on the final “Roxanne,” or introducing a rule where someone shouts “switch!” and the teams swap drinking cues.
What’s the best way to prepare for the Roxanne drinking game?
Make sure you have the song ready to go on a loud speaker and everyone has a drink in hand. It’s also helpful to have some water on hand, and snacks nearby can be a lifesaver to balance out the drinks.
Can we play this game with other songs?
Yes! The Roxanne drinking game has inspired similar games with other repetitive songs. You can try AC/DC’s Thunderstruck, LMFAO’s Shots, or K-Pop Star ROSÉ ‘s APT. Each has its own fun twist on the rules!