If you have heard Rose and Bruno Mars shouting “APT, APT!”, this is the game behind it. Apateu (apartment) is a quick Korean hand-stacking game that needs nothing but hands and drinks. It is chaotic, it speeds up fast, and someone always loses track.
APT at a glance
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Players | 3 or more |
| You need | Nothing but hands and drinks |
| Type | Hand-stacking reaction game |
| Best for | Pre-drinks, quick rounds |
Chaos
4/5
Difficulty
2/5
Buzz level
4/5
Setup effort
1/5
Our take, 1 (low) to 5 (high).
What you will need to play
You do not need much to get going, but a few cheap staples make the night run smoother. Here is the kit we reach for.
How to play
- Stack hands. Everyone puts their hands in a pile on the table, so each person has two hands somewhere in the stack.
- Pick a number. One player calls out a number, then everyone chants “apateu, apateu” (apartment).
- Count the floors. Starting from the bottom hand, each hand pulls out and re-stacks on top, counting up one at a time.
- Land on the number. Whoever’s hand lands on the called number has to drink.
- Go again with a new caller and a new number.
Pro tips
- Keep the chant going. The rhythm is half the fun and keeps the pace up.
- Small pours. Rounds are quick, so the drinks add up if you are not careful.
- Play the song. Putting APT on in the background is basically the law.
Count the beats, hit the apartment, drink when you miss.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Needs nothing but hands and drinks
- Fast, chaotic rounds
- Riding a wave of viral popularity
Cons
- Takes a round or two to click
- Easy to lose count when it speeds up
Related games
Frequently asked questions
What is the APT drinking game?
APT, from the Korean word apateu meaning apartment, is a hand-stacking game where players count hands up to a called number. Whoever’s hand lands on the number drinks. It is the game that inspired the Rose and Bruno Mars song.
What do you need to play?
Nothing but your hands and a drink. It is one of the easiest games to start anywhere.
