Dinner parties are a fantastic way to get friends together for good food, great conversations, and a night full of laughter. But let’s be real—sometimes you need more than just good eats and a bottle of wine to keep the energy flowing. That’s where dinner party games come into play. The right mix of entertainment can turn an average gathering into an unforgettable experience.
Whether you’re looking to break the ice with new friends, keep a group entertained until the dessert arrives, or add a twist to your classic dinner party routine, having a few great games up your sleeve can make all the difference. But don’t worry—you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Here, we’ve put together 29 amazing dinner party games for adults that are sure to fit any crowd and any mood.
From hilarious wordplay to strategic challenges, these games will help your guests loosen up, laugh until their sides hurt, and create memories that will stick around long after the leftovers are gone. So, let’s dive right in and explore these fantastic options that will elevate your next dinner gathering.
1. Two Truths and a Lie
If you want to start things off by helping everyone get to know each other a little better, “Two Truths and a Lie” is perfect. It’s simple, straightforward, and sparks plenty of laughter. Each guest takes turns sharing three statements about themselves—two of which are true and one that’s a complete fabrication.
Everyone else has to guess which statement is the lie. You’d be surprised at the kinds of things people come up with, which makes for some genuinely funny or shocking moments. It’s an easy icebreaker that works wonders, especially if not everyone at the party knows each other well.
2. Murder Mystery Game
Who doesn’t love a little mystery? Hosting a murder mystery game turns your dinner party into a dramatic affair. There are plenty of downloadable murder mystery kits online, which you can tailor to suit your group size and theme. Assign everyone a character ahead of time and let them know if they need to dress a particular way.
During the dinner, everyone works to uncover clues, piece together alibis, and figure out who the “murderer” is. It’s a game that requires some preparation, but the pay-off is huge—your guests will love the intrigue and excitement. Plus, the suspense keeps everyone engaged throughout the evening.
3. Charades: Dinner Party Edition
Charades is a timeless classic, and it’s easy to adapt it specifically for your dinner party. Instead of the usual categories like movies or books, you could narrow it down to “dinner party themes” or “food-related terms.” This keeps the game relevant and on-topic, which can make it even funnier.
Watching your friends mime ‘grating cheese’ or ‘burnt toast’ is bound to create some hilarious moments that get everyone laughing. It’s a great way to keep things light and ensure that no one takes themselves too seriously.
4. Never Have I Ever
“Never Have I Ever” is a fantastic game for groups who are comfortable with each other—or even for those who need to break down some barriers. It’s an excellent way to reveal some fun, unexpected secrets. Guests take turns making a statement that begins with “Never have I ever…”
If someone has done that thing, they have to take a sip of their drink. You can keep things light and funny, or you can take it a bit deeper depending on your audience. Just make sure everyone feels comfortable with the level of sharing involved. The goal is to have fun and not make anyone feel awkward.
5. Pictionary with a Twist
Pictionary is another beloved party game, but why not add a dinner-themed twist to it? Instead of standard words, fill your drawing prompts with items related to food, dinner, or cooking. Imagine trying to sketch “potato salad” or “three-course meal” in under a minute—hilarity is guaranteed!
You can even split the group into teams to add a competitive edge. The drawings are often hilariously bad, which only adds to the fun and keeps everyone entertained. It’s perfect for keeping the energy level high.
6. Who Am I?
In “Who Am I?” each guest gets a sticky note with the name of a famous person or character written on it, which is then stuck to their forehead without them seeing it. The goal is to figure out who you are by asking yes or no questions.
It’s a light and simple game that works well in almost any setting. Plus, the more creative you get with the characters, the funnier it becomes for everyone involved. It encourages mingling and keeps the conversations flowing.
7. Telephone: Miscommunication Madness
The classic game of Telephone can make its way into your dinner party for a good dose of laughter. All you need to do is whisper a phrase into the ear of the person sitting next to you, who then whispers it to the next person, and so on.
By the time the phrase gets to the last person, it’s usually hilariously different from what it started as. The more convoluted and strange your initial phrase, the better—just wait for the hilarity that ensues when the final version is revealed.
8. The Voting Game
This game is perfect for a group of close friends who are comfortable poking fun at each other. In The Voting Game, you ask a series of questions like “Who is most likely to get lost on their way home?” or “Who is most likely to make a scene in public?” Everyone secretly votes, and then the results are revealed.
It’s an excellent way to learn more about how your friends perceive each other, and the results can be genuinely entertaining. Just make sure to keep the questions lighthearted to avoid any hurt feelings. It’s all in good fun, and laughter is the ultimate goal.
9. Name That Tune: Retro Edition
If your friends love music, “Name That Tune” is a great choice. Cue up a playlist of songs from a particular era—whether it’s the ’80s, ’90s, or even early 2000s—and play the first few seconds of each track. Guests can guess the name of the song or the artist for points.
The person with the most points at the end wins. It’s easy to set up, and a lot of fun, especially if everyone has different music tastes. The nostalgia factor makes it even more entertaining.
10. Would You Rather
“Would You Rather” is one of those games that never fails to get people talking. Pose ridiculous or challenging scenarios to your guests: “Would you rather never be able to eat dessert again, or never be able to eat pizza again?” This game is great because it invites conversation, debate, and often some humorous rationalizations for the choices people make.
Plus, it’s simple—no materials are needed, just creativity. It’s perfect for filling any lulls in conversation and making sure everyone stays engaged.
11. Truth or Dare (Dinner Edition)
Give the classic “Truth or Dare” a dinner party spin. Keep dares dinner-related, like “eat a spoonful of hot sauce” or “make a toast using only animal sounds.” Truth questions could be about funny food habits or past dinner mishaps.
Since everyone’s already in a social and playful mood, this version of the game can bring lots of laughs without too much embarrassment. It’s a perfect way to add some spontaneity to the evening.
12. Emoji Translation
For a modern twist, try “Emoji Translation.” In this game, you write down common phrases, movie titles, or song lyrics using only emojis, and then ask the others to guess what they mean. It’s surprisingly tricky, and the creativity it brings out in everyone is often hilarious.
You’ll get to see who’s fluent in emoji and who needs a little practice. It’s a fun way to incorporate technology into your gathering.
13. Table Topics: Get to Know You Better
Sometimes you want to steer the conversation into deeper or more interesting territory, and Table Topics is the perfect way to do that. Use a set of conversation cards, or simply prepare a list of intriguing questions to spark thought-provoking discussions. These questions can be as light or as deep as you want.
It’s a fantastic way to keep the conversation flowing naturally and ensure that everyone gets involved. People often learn something new about each other, which is always a bonus.
14. The Compliment Game
This one is perfect for spreading good vibes around the table. The rules are simple: each person has to say a compliment to the person sitting next to them. You can take turns going around the table, and it’s a fantastic way to boost everyone’s mood.
It’s a feel-good game that works best if the group knows each other well, but even strangers can appreciate a kind word. By the end, everyone is smiling, and it adds a lovely touch to the evening.
15. The Memory Game
The Memory Game is a fun and easy way to test how well everyone is paying attention. One person starts by saying, “I went to a dinner party and brought…” and then names an item. The next person has to repeat what the first person said and add their own item.
The list gets longer and harder to remember as it goes around the table. Laughter is guaranteed as people struggle to remember what was brought and end up mixing things up! It’s simple yet incredibly entertaining.
16. Celebrity Couples
In this game, each person gets the name of a famous celebrity taped to their back, and they must ask yes or no questions to figure out who they are. The goal is to then find their “celebrity partner”—for example, if you are Brad Pitt, you need to find Angelina Jolie.
It’s an interactive game that encourages mingling, and the celebrity angle adds a fun twist that keeps everyone entertained. It’s a great way to get people moving and interacting with different guests.
17. Reverse Charades
Instead of one person acting out while everyone else guesses, flip the concept! With reverse charades, the entire group acts out while one person guesses. This variation creates a hilarious atmosphere, as watching multiple people try to mimic the same action can lead to some pretty funny chaos.
Plus, it encourages team spirit—everyone has to work together to pull it off. It’s perfect for making sure everyone feels included and gets involved.
18. Foodie Trivia
Foodie Trivia is perfect for a dinner party. Put together a set of questions about food, cooking, or even fun facts about different cuisines. You can divide guests into teams, and the team with the most correct answers wins.
It’s an educational yet entertaining way to spark conversation, and people usually enjoy showing off what they know about food. It’s a great way to learn and laugh at the same time.
19. Pass the Story
Pass the Story is a creative game where one person starts telling a story with just a single sentence. Each guest adds a sentence to continue the story. The results are usually hilariously disjointed and entertaining.
The story can go in any direction, and it’s a great way to see just how imaginative your friends are. It keeps everyone on their toes, wondering what will happen next.
20. What’s in Your Phone?
This game is similar to a scavenger hunt but uses everyone’s phone. Make a list of items, like “a selfie with a pet” or “a song title with the word ‘love’ in it.” Guests score points based on how many items they have on their phones.
It’s a simple way to get people laughing about their old photos or random downloads, and it’s also a good conversation starter. It’s lighthearted and brings in a tech twist.
21. Guess the Ingredient
This is a perfect game for a foodie crowd. Serve a dish and challenge guests to guess the secret ingredient. This game works best if you have something unique or unexpected in the dish.
It’s a fun way to see who has the best palate, and it adds an interactive twist to the dining experience. It’s also an easy way to get everyone engaged with the meal.
22. Taste Test Challenge
Prepare a few mystery foods in advance—they could be different types of cheese, unusual snacks, or exotic fruits. Blindfold one guest at a time and have them try to identify what they’re tasting. The reactions can be priceless, especially if you include a few surprises.
It’s a fun game that taps into people’s sense of taste and humor. It’s also a good way to bring a tactile element to the evening.
23. Word Association
This fast-paced game is simple but surprisingly entertaining. One person says a word, and the next person immediately has to say the first word that comes to mind. You keep going around the table as quickly as possible.
The game usually takes a funny turn when someone struggles or says something completely out of left field. It’s a great way to keep the energy up and everyone on their toes. Plus, it’s easy to play with no materials needed.
24. The “Yes or No” Game
In this game, each person has to speak without using the words “yes” or “no.” You’d be amazed at how difficult this can be, especially under pressure. Take turns asking questions, trying to get the person to accidentally say “yes” or “no.”
If they do, they’re out! It’s harder than it sounds, and it’s bound to get some laughs. It’s a simple game that adds a lot of fun to the evening.
25. Balloon Pop Questions
Write fun or silly questions on small pieces of paper and put each one inside a balloon. Inflate the balloons and spread them around. Each guest has to pop a balloon and answer the question inside.
The questions can be as lighthearted or as deep as you’d like. It’s a playful way to spark conversation and adds an element of surprise. The popping balloons add an element of excitement.
26. Accent Challenge
For a group that loves to perform, try an Accent Challenge. Guests draw cards that have different accents or regional dialects written on them, and they have to speak in that accent for the next round of conversation. It’s a hilarious way to test everyone’s acting skills.
The results are often entertainingly bad—in the best way possible. It’s great for those who love a bit of theatrics and don’t mind getting a bit silly.
27. Quick Draw
Similar to Pictionary but with a speed element. Guests are given just 15 seconds to draw whatever word they pull from a hat. The short time frame makes for some very amusing, often incomprehensible drawings.
This game is great for laughs and keeps things moving quickly, ensuring no one loses interest. It’s a quick, fun challenge that keeps everyone entertained.
28. Alphabet Story
Create a story where each sentence starts with the next letter of the alphabet. For example, the first person starts with “A” (“A cat walked into the kitchen”), the next person starts with “B” (“But it wasn’t just any cat…”), and so on.
It’s a fun way to see how creative people can be under pressure, and the results are usually pretty funny. It’s a great group exercise in creativity.
29. Acting Out Movie Scenes
For this game, write down famous movie scenes on slips of paper. Guests draw a slip and must act out the scene while others guess what movie it’s from. This game encourages people to get up and move, and it’s particularly hilarious if someone’s never seen the movie they’re trying to act out.
The more dramatic the acting, the better! It’s a great way to bring some physical activity to the evening and keep everyone engaged.
Conclusion
There you have it—29 dinner party games that are sure to elevate your next gathering. Whether your goal is to break the ice, keep the energy high, or simply entertain your friends, these games are guaranteed to help create an unforgettable experience. Remember, the key to a successful dinner party isn’t just about the food—it’s about the laughter, the stories, and the connections you build.
So, next time you’re planning a dinner party, don’t just focus on the menu. Pick a few of these games, get your guests involved, and watch as your gathering turns into a night full of fun and cherished memories. Which of these games do you think your friends would love the most? Give them a try, and see how they can transform your dinner party into a truly magical evening.