I've never played a game at a cocktail party. One assumes that those invited are adults and know how to talk to one another. To me, games are for children's birthday parties to keep them from going berserk. Hopefully, ones guests will not do so.

Nope, never a game at a cocktail party. If you think things will get dull, make the party shorter.

Yes, it does sound like children's games, I agree. I was asking for a neighbor who is having a neighborhood, holiday, cocktail party, and wanted more than just talking, all evening. We all know each other, so she wanted ideas for a game to play to occupy the time.

Just make the party shorter. If you have to fill the time, it's too long.

I tend to agree with you.

How about Trivial Pursuit?

not for cocktail party but learned a new word not long ago... DITLOIDS. puzzle games where first letter of each word is given and you have to figure out what the phrase/title is. i didn't explain that very well, did i?

EX: what does this phrase mean - 30 D H S - 30 Days Has/hath September

a little googling will yield possible party games for other occasions.

My parents always played games at cocktail parties!

Since the posts are by different individuals, I'm taking it that these are two different cocktail parties, Elmer. No need to be concerned!

I second Eld6161's suggestion of Right, Left, Center. It's strictly a game of chance wherein one rolls 3 die and, depending on the results, the die roller either passes one of their chips to the player on their left, or right, or does nothing. The "chips" can be coins if one wants to play for money (and those coins can be any set denomination) or some other type of marker. Three markers are a good number - there is no set "right" amount. Also as suggested, if the markers are not money, even a nominal prize at the end adds to the fun.

The official games are about $7 and consist of 3 die and some miniature poker-like chips. OR, you could make-your-own for even less by using or buying regular dice (? the dollar store) and deciding that if X (pick a number) turns up then move a marker left, or if Y turns up (assign another number) turns up move a marker right, etc. Any other number and there is no move of a marker.

I was going to say Right Left Center as well. It's quick, easy and fun!

We have always said the LCR can be played by babies, the oldest, and drunks. Great game.

A cocktail party is usually of short duration, an open house type of affair before the primary dinner hour. People come and go pretty quickly, no time for games, as people are anxious to leave and go to dinner.

If the event is an after dinner affair, then I'd say that games are fine, as long as a few of the group are used to such activities. Charades and Pictionary can be successful because even those who don't care to participate can have great fun watching and being part of the vocal peanut gallery.

I have a big group of friends who get together frequently just to play games such as trivia, cards, and board games. Some people manage to play games and hold a lively conversation, lol.

We host an annual holiday party, and cocktails are a featured part of the event. It's not a game night, but I have different forms of musical entertainment throughout the evening.

Elmer, I told you we were "older" folks, but we can still find our way home, usually! lol

Thank you all for your comments. We have played LRC a few times, but that requires people to sit at a table. A LARGE table. Which the neighbor doesn't have. I host New Year's Eve dinner every year, and find it hard to come up with adult games in which all can participate, especially since we need to kill time until midnight!. Usually sit around and play trivial pursuit, or twenty questions.

Maybe the time has come to just let us drink and go home. lol

Jenga....it's just pulling out little square rods until they fall. People can still carry on individual conversations, no knowledge/brain power is required. If children are present they can play too. You can leave it set up and people walking by can take a turn at any time.

This is for a party in two weeks. Not NYE. I will relay the options, and let the hostess decide. Thanks all....

Some of these comments are rather judgy...

At a party (call it whatever you like..."cocktail" is just a reference and whether alcohol is served to adults isn't my concern!) games are always fun, no matter what your age is!

In fact, I think it would be very much fun to have as many table as you can set up with games so people can come and go...nobody would really care if someone doesn't remember or a game requires more thinking than you have at the moment, or you enter in the middle of a game or take over for someone who's leaving...Jenga, poker, cards against humanity, monopoly...really doesn't matter as long as people laugh...

It's fun and you can have a laugh and you can make up your own rules for a lot of games. Lighten up, people.

Right.....and at our age, we may have forgotten we ever played a certain game, so it will be new again! lol

My friends and I have a games night every so often. Usually beer, wine, and snacks are served. Two games suitable for a group not seated at a table are Cranium and Five Second Rule. Cranium is played with teams. Both are favorites of ours. Lots of fun!