New Girl gave the world Nick, Schmidt, Winston and, most importantly, True American: the drinking game with no real rules that somehow everyone plays. Here is how to drink along to the show, plus how to run True American itself.
New Girl Drinking Game (Including True American Rules) at a glance
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Players | 1 or more |
| You need | The show or film, and drinks |
| Best for | Movie night, a rewatch, a box-set binge |
| Type | Watch-along trigger game |
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 it works
Play the show version by drinking on the triggers below, or clear the furniture and play True American, the game the loft is famous for.
Take a drink every time…
- Schmidt puts money in the douchebag jar
- Nick refuses to fix something
- Winston talks about Ferguson the cat
- Jess does something adorably awkward
- Someone says “boom” or a catchphrase
- Cece and Schmidt share a moment
Finish your drink when…
- A True American game breaks out on screen
- Someone shouts “JFK! FDR!”
Pro tips
- Agree the rules before you press play. No arguing over what counts once it is rolling.
- Go easy on the common triggers. If something happens every scene, make it a sip.
- Have water on hand. A full film is a long session, pace yourself.
Every loft apartment moment and every Schmidt line earns a sip.
Pros and cons
- Two games in one, the show and True American
- Easy triggers anyone can follow
- True American is a party in itself
- True American needs space and furniture you do not mind standing on
- Best with people who have seen the show
What you need to play
Related games
Frequently asked questions
What is True American?
True American is the drinking game from New Girl that is roughly 50% verbal and 100% chaos. The floor is lava, the table is home base, and players move across furniture completing tasks and drinking. There is no official rulebook, which is the whole point.
How do you play the New Girl drinking game?
Drink on the show’s running jokes: the douchebag jar, Nick’s refusals, Winston and Ferguson, and any catchphrase. Finish your drink when a True American game kicks off.
