Drinking games for two: 10 ideas for a night in together
Updated on October 2, 2026 · 3 min read
In short
Ten drinking games that work perfectly for two: with nothing at all (Never Have I Ever, truth or dare, the 21 game…), with a deck of cards, dice or a phone. For a drink for two, with small amounts or soft drinks.
- 2 players
- Nothing needed
- A deck of cards
- Dice
- Drinking game
Contents
Most drinking games are designed for groups, but many work very well with two. Face to face, they even get more interesting: you answer each other, challenge each other and get to know each other better. Here are ten ideas for two, as a couple or with a friend.
With no equipment
1Never have I ever
- 2 players
- 15–30 min
- Nothing needed
- Drinking game
With two, each in turn names something they've never done; if the other has done it, they take a sip… and tell the story. The ideal game to learn more about each other. For ideas, see our 100 "never have I ever" questions.
2Truth or dare
- 2 players
- 20–40 min
- Nothing needed
- Drinking game
The great classic works perfectly with two. Refusing a question or a dare costs a sip. Pick questions that suit your relationship from our 100 questions and dares.
3The 21 game
- 2 players
- 10–20 min
- Nothing needed
- Drinking game
Take turns counting to 21, saying one, two or three numbers each time. Whoever has to say "21" takes a sip and makes up a rule: for example, 7 is now said "banana". The rules pile up, and so do the mistakes.
4No yes, no no
- 2 players
- 10–15 min
- Nothing needed
- Drinking game
One asks quick questions, the other has to answer without ever saying "yes" or "no". At the first slip, a sip, and you swap roles. Time it: whoever lasts the longest wins.
5Categories
- 2 players
- 10–15 min
- Nothing needed
- Drinking game
Pick a category (countries, brands, actors…) and take turns naming something in it, without repeating. Whoever runs dry or repeats takes a sip, then picks the next category.
With a deck of cards
6Red or black
- 2 players
- 10–15 min
- A deck of cards
- Drinking game
Before turning over the top card, call its colour. Wrong, you take a sip; right, the other does. Fast and brainless, perfect between two conversations.
7The river
- 2 players
- 15–30 min
- A deck of cards
- Drinking game
In turn, each player must cross a bridge of five cards by guessing whether the next one will be higher or lower. With each mistake, you drink as many sips as the step number. The full rules are in our card drinking games.
8Horse race
- 2 players
- 10–20 min
- A deck of cards
- Drinking game
Even with two, horse race works: each backs a different horse (or two horses each) and bets 1 to 5 sips. See the Horse race rules.
With dice
9Bizkit
- 2 players
- 20–40 min
- Dice
- Drinking game
The party dice game works from two players. Take turns rolling two dice: a 7 triggers "Bizkit" and the last to put a thumb on their forehead drinks, a 3 makes the roller the Prisoner, doubles hand out sips. All the rules are in Bizkit.
With a phone
10Freestyle
- 2 players
- 20–60 min
- A phone
- Drinking game
The app draws random cards: votes, duels, dares and "never have I ever". The game starts from two players, and the duel cards are made for face-offs. See Freestyle.
Our tips for a good game for two
- Switch games: a question game, then a game of chance. Question after question gets heavy.
- Drink little: with two, sips come round much more often than in a group. Halve the amounts, or play with soft drinks.
- Set your limits: with two, either of you can say "joker" on a question without having to explain.
Frequently asked questions
Which drinking game should two people play?
To talk, Never Have I Ever or truth or dare; to leave it to chance, red or black or the river with a deck of cards. Switching between the two keeps the evening going.
How do you avoid drinking too much as a pair?
With two players, sips come round much faster than in a group: halve the amounts, keep water nearby or play with soft drinks.
Can you play horse race with two players?
Yes: each player bets on a different horse, or on two horses each, and stakes 1 to 5 sips. The race stays just as unpredictable as in a group.
For two with the Partizo app
The Partizo app has several games you can play with two: Freestyle, Horse race, Bizkit, Pyramid and The River for drinking games, but also the Quiz and Showtime for an alcohol-free evening. The phone draws the cards, rolls the dice and keeps the score.
Want to play with more people? See our 15 best drinking games.