The World’s Oldest Drinking Game
Dating back to 500 B.C. in ancient Greece, Kottabos is the oldest recorded drinking game in history, and involves flinging dregs (hardened pieces of unfiltered wine) into special bowls called kylix (think Hercules). I imagine it’s like ancient beer pong but the balls are leftover wine bits and the cups are bowls with handles.
A game of kottabos, depicted at the monument The Tomb of the Diver.
Drinking Games in Modern Times
2,500 years later, drinking games are still an everyday staple across the world, especially for young adults. Games such as beer pong, rage cage, and King’s Cup are the most common games and played not only in the United States but across the world.
However, there is one major flaw with drinking games today. Don’t get me wrong, they’re definitely fun when you destroy your opponent in beer pong or the birthday boy loses in rage cage, but that’s all it is— fun. There’s no depth and no connection.
The Human Need for Genuine Connection
You see, human beings have an internal need for genuine connection, a deep-rooted desire to form meaningful relationships that go beyond surface-level interactions. While social settings give people the chance to connect with others, they don’t have enough depth to form genuine connections.
Dialogue in these environments barely ever break the surface, focusing on small talk rather than deeper conversations. As a result, people may leave these get-togethers feeling unfulfilled, wanting the kind of intimate exchanges that strengthen bonds and feed the soul. In a world that increasingly values quick connections, the true essence of human connection—being truly seen, heard, and understood—often gets lost.
One of the best ways for humans to bond is through games. Just look at the Olympics— the best athletes from around the world come together and bond through a mutual activity. Outside of the competition, they would interact with each other and share stories about their love for the sport over several rounds of drinks.
Simone Biles & Jordan Chiles bowing to Rebeca Andrade at the Paris Olympics.
A Solution for Deeper Connection
Now hear me out... What if we were able to take the best parts of human connection, combine it with an interactive activity (like games), and bring it to the next level by adding a drinking element? To me, that sounds like a great idea and would instantly buy 20 decks to whoever thought of it.
Just kidding (not really). But that’s how my best friend and I came up with Friendsip, the only drinking card game that brings back human connection. We truly believe it’s special because not only does it incorporate elements of fun and lightheartedness, it also encourages meaningful conversations, inspires the shy person to open up, and promotes vulnerability in a comfortable way—like inexpensive therapy with drink
Real-Life Example: Discovering Hidden Stories
While beta-testing Friendsip, I found out that one of my friends visiting Hawaii was almost eaten by a crocodile hidden inside a house! I have known this person nearly my entire life but never knew this story. Not only does Friendsip help you form new connections quickly, it also helps form a deeper connection with people you’ve known your entire life.
Friendsip is not just “another drinking game”— It’s a resource for creating connections and deepening relationships.