New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS): Who said Diwali house parties have to be all about card games and socialising? Give your party a fun makeover with drinking games - try the 'Snakes and Shots' or the 'Cross and Shots' - 'adult' versions of your favourite childhood board games and more, which can leave you with a different high this festive season.
There's a Basket Shot game, a Truth or Shot, Beer Pong or a Drinking Roulette, Drinking Chess, Drinking Basketball, et al in the market to add a fun twist to your idea of a party.
So, if the snake 'bites' you in a session of Snakes and Shots, you're supposed to gulp down a shot - that's how it really works!
"Plain drinking is boring," says Sanuj Birla of capital-based Amsterdam Kitchen and Bar, which arranges drinking games for groups of people on requests.
"Board games with alcohol are fun, they bring out the child in you. And since they are to do with shots, they give you an instant high," Birla told IANS.
In the capital, various pubs offer a chance to play drinking games on request. While the Warehouse Café is popular for its Drinking Roulette, there's also the Underdoggs Sports Bar and Grill which has options galore.
Khush Soni, also popular as DJ Khushi, believes the vibe and energy during such games are great fun. However, from a restaurant owner's point of view, the owner of Fat Ninja and managing partner of Pangaea says the management must know where to draw the line.
For several reasons, youngsters make the most of such games at home with friends - and they may be played anywhere. Remember "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" and the confessions drinking game in the train?
"Going out is so expensive! And the drinks are exorbitant with the taxes. It is better to have a party at home and let ourselves loose with enjoyable games and gulping down as much as we can without worrying about the bill. Besides, house parties during Diwali time are better than going out," said Shreya Kumar, a 29-year-old marketing professional.
The online space is especially flooded with options of drinking games to choose from, and youngsters as young as 18 (despite not being of legal drinking age) are lapping them up for as less as Rs.500 to Rs.1,000.
"In India, house parties have been becoming more popular and increasing in frequency as people prefer partying in familiar environments where they have the freedom to do what they like, play the music they want and the party can go on till whatever time the host likes and, of course, one can also control the budget.
"As the frequency of such parties increased, people started looking for innovative ways to entertain their guests and that's where drinking games have come in... they make parties more fun, act as a great ice-breaker and ensure you go back home with hilariously crazy memories," Shruti Singh, founder of IpartyWild, which has launched a range of drinking board games, told IANS.
Trippy Dice, Queen Bee, Ultimate DareDevils, Kings Circle and Film-o-Holic are some of the innovations her company has come up with, and she is happy that they are selling well.
What makes them fun is the fact that they aren't merely about drinking!
"Drinking games are not just about alcohol, but about the experience you have while playing them. These games are designed to challenge your endurance, speed, thinking capacity in drunken stage and skills of observation, recollection, quick thinking and aim; yet the rules are simple so that people can familiarise them immediately and jump right in," Singh said.
But hold on, if you're a non-drinker, fret not! Whoever said you couldn't enjoy the games with plain lemonade? That way, no one feels left out.
Get set for the parties!