Power Hour Drinking Game – Rules, Playlist and How to Play
Take one shot of beer every minute for 60 minutes straight – fueled by a power hour playlist where the song changes each minute. Simple rules, big fun.
What you need:
- Beer – roughly 5–6 cans of regular-strength beer per player (you'll drink about that much over the hour).
- A shot glass – a small glass that holds one "shot" of beer (about 1.5 oz / 4 cl).
- A timer or power hour playlist – a track or app that changes song every 60 seconds.
- Water and snacks – stay hydrated and line your stomach.
- Friends – it's way more fun (and safer) as a group.
How to play Power Hour:
- Pour a shot of beer for everyone and get your timer or power hour playlist ready.
- Start the clock. Every time a minute passes – or the song changes – everyone takes one shot of beer.
- Refill your shot glass immediately so you're ready for the next minute.
- Keep going for 60 minutes: that's 60 shots of beer in total.
- Anyone who misses a minute or spills can be given a small forfeit (loser's choice).
- When the hour is up, you've finished a power hour. Slow down, hydrate, and enjoy the rest of the night.
Variations:
- Centurion / Century Club – the hardcore variant: 100 shots of beer in 100 minutes. That's the centurion drinking game and it's genuinely tough.
- Half hour – 30 shots in 30 minutes for a shorter, more manageable session.
- Music video power hour – use a video playlist and switch drinks on every video change.
- Rules round – add a fun rule each minute (no first names, no pointing, etc.) and drink an extra shot if you slip up.
- Theme power hour – build a playlist around a genre or decade for extra atmosphere.
How to Play the Power Hour Drinking Game
The power hour drinking game is one of the simplest and most iconic party games around. The concept is dead easy: you take one shot of beer every single minute for 60 minutes. Most people run it off a power hour playlist – a collection of 60 one-minute song clips – so the changing track tells you exactly when to drink. No dice, no cards, no setup beyond pouring beer and pressing play.
Learning how to play power hour takes about ten seconds, but finishing one is the real challenge. Sixty shots of beer is a lot of liquid and a steady stream of alcohol, so the game rewards a good playlist, good company, and a sensible pace. The shared rhythm of everyone drinking together every minute is what makes it so social and fun.
Power Hour Rules
- Pour one shot of beer per player before you start.
- Every 60 seconds – or whenever the song changes – everyone takes their shot.
- Refill straight away so you never miss a minute.
- Keep going for the full 60 minutes (60 shots total).
- Miss a minute, spill, or break a house rule and you take a penalty shot (loser's choice).
- Drink responsibly: keep water nearby, have a non-alcoholic option, and never drink and drive.
The Power Hour Playlist
A power hour playlist is the heart of the game. It's a single mix made of 60 one-minute song clips, so every time the music changes you know it's time to drink. You can find ready-made power hour playlists on YouTube and Spotify, or build your own by trimming your favorite tracks to 60 seconds each. A great playlist keeps the energy high and turns a simple drinking game into a proper party.
The Centurion (Century Club) Variant
If a standard power hour feels too easy, try the centurion drinking game – also known as the Century Club. The rules are the same, but you take 100 shots of beer in 100 minutes instead of 60. That works out to a full beer roughly every 15 minutes for almost two hours, so it's a serious test of stamina. Only attempt the centurion variant if you're experienced, well-fed, and surrounded by people looking out for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much alcohol is a power hour really?
A shot of beer is about 1.5 oz (4 cl), so 60 shots is roughly 90 oz – around 5 to 6 standard cans of beer over an hour. That's a significant amount of alcohol in a short time, so pace yourself, eat first, and drink water alongside it.
What is a power hour playlist?
A power hour playlist is a mix of 60 one-minute song clips that signals when to drink: every time the song changes, everyone takes a shot. You can use ready-made playlists on YouTube or Spotify, or make your own by cutting songs down to 60 seconds.
What is the centurion drinking game?
The centurion, or Century Club, is the extreme version of power hour: 100 shots of beer in 100 minutes. It's the same idea as a power hour but much longer and tougher, so only attempt it if you're experienced and have people looking out for you.
Can you play power hour without alcohol?
Absolutely. Swap the beer for soda, juice, or water and take a shot of that every minute instead. You keep all the rhythm and fun of the power hour playlist while staying completely alcohol-free.
Are there power hour apps or online options?
Yes. There are dedicated power hour apps and plenty of online playlists and videos that handle the timing for you, changing the song every minute automatically. They make it easy to play power hour anywhere without setting your own timer.