Drinking Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Adults

Scavenger hunts aren't just for kids anymore -- incorporating alcoholic beverages and playing this game at a bar or adult party can turn this classic children's activity into a memorable night out for you and your friends. You can customize the hunt based on the number of people playing and how adventurous the group is. Keep score and have the losers buy a round of drinks, or just play for fun.

Playing a scavenger hunt at a bar is an inventive way to spice up an otherwise typical night out, and can also be a fun way to meet new people. If everyone wants to stay together, one option is to create a deck of index cards or a list with items, people or situations to hunt for. The list can include things like "pack of matches" or be more involved, such as "convince someone to give you their socks." If you have a larger group, consider splitting into teams and searching multiple bars in a designated area, or have teams take pictures using phones or digital cameras.

A scavenger hunt can provide a reason to host a party or a way to spark up a simple get-together. One idea is to write items on slips of paper in a bowl and draw them one at a time. Use an egg timer to give guests one minute to find each item in their purse, pockets or your house -- anyone who is unable to find an item takes a shot. If you have a smaller space or would prefer not to move around, ask guests to bring magazines and play the same game by finding pictures instead of actual items.

A scavenger hunt is also a creative activity for a bachelor or bachelorette party, a birthday or a class reunion. Use the same ideas listed above, but employ a theme related to the special occasion. For example, at a bachelor party ask every man to find a married woman and find out her husband's name or take a picture of her wedding ring. Incorporating pictures into the hunt is a fun way to commemorate the occasion.

Drinking scavenger hunts can be as informal as you would like -- just be sure to spell out any rules ahead of time and ensure that everyone is comfortable with participating. For a night on the town, the best prizes are usually a round of drinks or a late-night snack. If you are hosting a party, a simple inexpensive prize is nice -- a hand-painted martini glass or a cool shot glass would be good choices.