The Perfect Pre-Party – Your Complete Guide to Pre-Party Games

What is a Pre-Party?

A pre-party – sometimes called a "vorspiel" – is a tradition where a group of friends gather at someone's home to drink, play games and warm up the mood before heading out to a bar, concert or party. The concept is popular in Scandinavia and beyond, and has developed into something entirely its own.

A pre-party is not just a cheap way to save money on drinks. For many people it is the highlight of the evening – an intimate gathering where the real conversations happen, friendships deepen and you get the chance to laugh your way through fun games without the pressure of a busy bar. Many people will honestly admit that they sometimes prefer to just stay at the pre-party and never head out at all.

What makes a pre-party unique is that it combines the best of both worlds: the cosiness of a house party with the excitement of a night out. There is room for everyone – those who want to drink a lot, those who want to drink a little, the social ones and the more reserved ones. A good pre-party is inclusive, energising and unforgettable.

The Three Ingredients of a Perfect Pre-Party

After analysing thousands of pre-party experiences (yes, we take this research seriously) we can say with confidence that there are three essential ingredients: people, atmosphere and activities. All three need to come together.

People

The right people are the foundation. It is not about having the coolest or most extroverted friends – it is about having a group where people genuinely wish each other well. Feel free to mix new and old friends, but make sure the core is safe, open and inclusive. A single person who drains the energy from the room can ruin the whole evening. Know your group and invite with care.

A good rule of thumb: five to twelve people is the perfect size for a pre-party. Fewer than five can feel too intense and silence can become heavy. More than twelve and it starts splitting into sub-groups and the sense of community disappears.

Atmosphere

Atmosphere does not just happen – it is actively created. Music is your most powerful tool: have a well-considered playlist ready. Start with something relaxed and build up the tempo as the evening progresses. Lighting matters more than people think – dim the lights a little, light some candles and the room transforms immediately.

The first thirty minutes after people arrive are the most important. That is when you set the tone. Have something to offer right away – a drink, a snack – and start a simple conversation. Avoid the awkward moment where everyone sits staring at their phones.

Activities

A shared activity is the secret weapon. Drinking games remove awkwardness and create natural conversation topics, laughter and light competition that warm up the atmosphere in no time. It is not about winning – it is about breaking the ice and giving everyone something to focus on together. The right choice of game can rescue a slow pre-party in minutes.

Choosing the Right Drinking Games

The biggest mistake people make is choosing a game that requires everyone to already know each other well – and then starting it while guests have just arrived. Think carefully about who will be there and what they are comfortable with.

For Groups That Don't Know Each Other (icebreakers)

When you have a mixed group where some people are meeting for the first time, light icebreaker games are gold. Start with games where nobody needs to reveal anything too intimate right away. Hot Seat is perfect for this – one person sits in "the hot seat" and everyone asks questions, but it can be steered to start with easy ones. Would You Rather is another safe choice where no answers are wrong and everyone can laugh at the choices.

Avoid games that require people to kiss, reveal secrets or perform embarrassing challenges too early in the evening. It can make people stiff and ruin the atmosphere.

For Close Friends (deeper games)

When you know each other well, you can go deeper. Drunk Debate is a fun and engaging game where people argue for absurd claims – perfect for friend groups who enjoy a good discussion. Most Likely reveals who your friends really are by voting on who is "most likely to...".

These games work best when everyone is comfortable enough to participate fully and not afraid of being a little exposed.

For Large Groups 10+ (crowd games)

Large groups need games where everyone can participate simultaneously, otherwise people lose interest quickly. Ring of Fire is the absolute classic for large groups – everyone sits around the table and everyone draws cards throughout the game. It is easy to learn, adapts well and keeps the energy up in the room.

Avoid games where only two or three people play while the rest wait – this is extremely effective at killing the energy in the room.

The Perfect Order for the Evening

A good pre-party has a dramaturgy – just like a good film. Start calm, build up the energy gradually and peak when everyone is ready to head out.

Phase 1 – Arrival (first 30 minutes): Don't start with drinking games right away. Let people arrive, hang up their coats, get a drink and find their place. Have music in the background and let the conversations flow naturally. A simple Would You Rather game can start after 20–30 minutes, when most people have arrived.

Phase 2 – Warm-up (30–60 minutes in): Now it's time for icebreaker games or light drinking games. Nobody needs to push themselves, but everyone participates. The atmosphere loosens and laughter starts to come. Hot Seat or Most Likely works excellently here.

Phase 3 – High gear (60–90 minutes in): Here you switch to the more energetic games. Ring of Fire, Drunk Debate or Truth or Dare. People are warmed up now and ready for more intensity. The energy in the room is at its peak.

Phase 4 – Exit (last 15–30 minutes): Wind down calmly, make sure everyone knows when you're leaving and that everyone is doing okay. One final simple round can work as a pleasant close. Book transport in advance.

Drinks and Snacks

A good pre-party has enough to drink – and enough food so nobody gets too drunk too quickly. Always have water available, and make sure there are options for those who don't drink alcohol. Soft drinks, juice and simple mocktails are easy and inclusive solutions.

When it comes to snacks, it is smart to have something salty to nibble on. Crisps, peanuts, cheese slices or vegetables with dip mean the alcohol is absorbed more slowly and people stay more steady throughout the evening. Avoid snacks so good that people would rather eat than join in the games.

A small tip: make a shared "pre-party cocktail" or punch that everyone shares. It gives the gathering a shared identity and makes it easier to keep track of the pace. A simple punch with vodka, lemonade and a splash of raspberry juice is always a hit.

• Beer and cider – classic and versatile, suits most games
• Wine – a slightly more relaxed pace, suits deeper conversations
• Shots – only for those who want them, never pressure anyone
• Mocktails – make a genuinely good one that non-drinkers actually enjoy
• Water – always, always available

Timing – When Does a Pre-Party Start and End?

People are good at having pre-parties, but bad at ending them in time. The classic problem is that the pre-party phase goes on too long, and by the time you finally head out the door, everyone is already too drunk to enjoy the next venue.

A typical good pre-party starts between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM and ends between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM. That gives two to three hours – enough for four to five rounds of games, good conversations and just the right amount of warm-up without anyone overdoing it.

Set a fixed time for when you're heading out and stick to it. Write it in the invitation: "Pre-party from 7:30 PM, we leave at 10:00 PM". Then everyone knows what to expect and there are no conflicts about timing.

"The best pre-party is the one where everyone looks forward to meeting up next time – not the one where everyone wakes up the next day remembering too little. A good pre-party is an appetiser, not the whole meal."

Think about transport. Book a taxi or check public transport in advance, especially at weekends. Nothing ruins the end of a good pre-party like standing waiting for transport for 45 minutes in the cold.

Include Everyone – Non-Drinkers and Designated Drivers

A good pre-party is an inclusive one. Not everyone drinks alcohol, and it should never feel uncomfortable to say so. Always make sure the drinking games can be played with alcohol-free alternatives – water or a soft drink works just as well in almost all games.

If someone is designated as the driver for the evening, show them extra appreciation. They are sacrificing their evening so the rest can get home safely – they deserve to be seen and valued. Let them choose the game for a round, or give them a special role as "judge" in the game.

Also be aware that people have different limits for what they are comfortable with. A good pre-party host checks in with the guests and makes sure nobody feels pressured to do anything they don't want to. Being able to say "pass" should always be a real option without any comments from the others.

An inclusive pre-party is not just kinder – it is actually more fun. When everyone feels safe and included, people are more willing to participate fully and take risks in the games. That creates a better atmosphere for everyone.

Conclusion

The perfect pre-party is not a matter of luck – it is a matter of planning and care for your guests. Choose games that suit the group, structure the evening with a natural dramaturgy, make sure everyone is included and be mindful of timing.

With the right drinking games, even the most mixed group of friends can become a warm and tight-knit bunch in under an hour. That is the power of good party games – they remove barriers and create shared memories that guests carry with them long after the evening is over.

Remember: a pre-party is never bad – it is just suboptimal. With this guide in hand, you have everything you need to take your next pre-party from "pretty okay" to "legendary". Have a great party!