12 pubs of Christmas rules
The 12 pubs of Christmas is a December pub crawl through twelve pubs, where every pub comes with its own rule: no swearing in the first, wrong hand only in the second, no first names in the fourth and so on. Break the rule and you pay a forfeit.
Draw a new rule as you walk into each pub. The classic twelve are in order on the page below.
The classic twelve are below in order. Want a different night? Draw a random rule for each pub from the deck, with 30 extra rules to mix in.
- Pubs
- 12
- Rules
- 12 + 30
- When
- December
- Time
- 6 to 8 hours
The 12 classic rules
This is the order most groups use. Each rule applies in its own pub only, and resets when you walk out the door. Some groups play them cumulatively, so by pub 12 every rule is in force at once. Decide before the first pub.
The classic twelve
12- Pub 1, no swearing: one slip and you pay the forfeit
- Pub 2, wrong hand: hold your drink in the hand you don't write with
- Pub 3, no pointing: use your elbow, your chin or a very long stare
- Pub 4, no first names: everyone has a Christmas nickname for this pub
- Pub 5, no phones: phones face down on the table until you leave
- Pub 6, accent pub: everyone speaks in one agreed accent
- Pub 7, silent order: order at the bar without speaking
- Pub 8, carol pub: the group sings one Christmas song before leaving
- Pub 9, swap a piece: swap one item of clothing with the person on your left
- Pub 10, whisper pub: everyone whispers, no exceptions
- Pub 11, no saying drink: call it anything else
- Pub 12, free pub: no rules, just the last toast of the night
Twelve pubs, twelve polaroids
A polaroid from every pub
Snap your glass in each pub and Dronk prints it as a polaroid with the time, cut out like a sticker and pinned on the map. Twelve pubs later you have the whole route, and the next day your night is ready as a video. Halves and soft drinks count.
30 alternative 12 pubs of Christmas rules
Already played the classic version? Swap in some of these. They are all switched on in the deck at the top of the page.
Talking rules
10- Christmas words only: work a Christmas word into every sentence
- Questions only: you can only speak in questions
- Third person: talk about yourself using your own name
- Rhyme time: every sentence has to rhyme with the one before
- No yes or no: answer every question without the words yes or no
- Compliment pub: you can't say anything negative at all
- Movie quotes: say one Christmas film quote before you order
- Spell it out: spell the name of your drink when you order
- Elf pub: everyone talks like an elf from the North Pole
- Backwards names: call everyone by their name spelled backwards
Doing rules
10- Stand up pub: nobody sits down in this pub
- Pinky out: little finger out when you hold your glass
- Hat swap: everyone wears someone else's hat
- Statue: freeze when someone says Santa, last to freeze pays the forfeit
- Toast pub: every sip starts with a toast to something new
- Dance entry: dance your way into the pub
- Photo pub: one group photo with a stranger before you leave
- Mirror pub: copy every move of the person opposite you
- Left side only: stay on the left side of the pub
- Jumper inside out: whoever forgot a Christmas jumper turns their top inside out
Silly rules
10- Secret Santa: everyone is given someone to buy a crisp packet for
- Reindeer games: last into the pub has to wear antlers
- Naughty list: the group votes who goes on the naughty list here
- Carol request: ask the staff for a Christmas song
- Gift wrap: someone gets wrapped in tinsel for the whole pub
- Christmas cracker joke: everyone tells their worst one
- Snowball: start a conversation with another table
- Kings and queens: the person in the paper crown makes one rule
- Advent pub: everyone shares one thing they're grateful for this year
- Mistletoe pub: hold the mistletoe and give someone a compliment
Forfeits for breaking the rules
The traditional forfeit is to finish your drink, but that's the fastest way to lose half the group by pub six. These keep the game going without making anyone drink more:
- Buy the crisps or a round of water for the group
- Wear the tinsel scarf until someone else breaks a rule
- Sing the first line of a Christmas song, loudly
- Carry the group's coats to the next pub
- Let the group choose your nickname for the rest of the night
- Pick up the bill for the late night chips
Twelve pubs, one map
Someone always ends up three pubs behind. In Dronk you snap your glass and appear on the map for the friends you pick, so the group sees which pub everyone is in and can send a come over. The next day your night is ready as a video.
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How to plan a 12 pubs of Christmas
- Pick a compact areaTwelve pubs within a short walk of each other. A town centre or one long street works best.
- Start earlyMost groups start in the early afternoon. Around 30 minutes per pub gets you through all twelve by late evening.
- Book the big onesDecember Saturdays are packed. Message the busiest pubs in advance if you're a big group, or pick a weekday.
- Plan foodEat before the first pub and plan a proper food stop around pub 6.
- Make a listWrite the twelve pubs and their rules in the group chat, or print them on the back of the Christmas jumper card.
Want a shorter version? Pick six pubs and two rules per pub, or play pub golf with a Christmas course.
Questions people ask
What are the 12 pubs of Christmas rules?
The classic order is: no swearing, wrong hand, no pointing, no first names, no phones, accent pub, silent order, carol pub, swap a piece of clothing, whisper pub, no saying drink, and a free pub to finish.
Do you have to drink in every pub?
No. Halves, soft drinks and water all count. The rules are the game, and most groups alternate between alcoholic and soft drinks.
What is the forfeit for breaking a rule?
Traditionally finishing your drink, but better forfeits are buying the crisps, wearing the tinsel or singing a Christmas song. They keep everyone playing until pub twelve.
How long does 12 pubs of Christmas take?
Plan for 6 to 8 hours. About 30 minutes per pub plus walking and a food stop.
Where does the 12 pubs of Christmas come from?
It's a December tradition in Ireland and the UK, loosely based on the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. There is no official version, which is why every group plays slightly different rules.
Keep the night going
Updated