Mario Kart and drinking are a legendary combination. The most popular version — known as Beerio Kart, Drunk Driving, or DUI Mario Kart — has one simple rule that creates total chaos. But there are also great rule sets for casual play and competitive groups. Here is everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
What You Need
- Any Mario Kart game (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch is ideal, but any version works)
- A TV or monitor
- Enough controllers for your group
- One drink per race per player (beer or seltzer recommended)
The Classic: Beerio Kart (DUI Mario Kart)
This is THE Mario Kart drinking game. The rules are simple and brutal:
- Each player has one full beer (or drink) per race.
- You must finish your entire beer before the race ends.
- You cannot drink and drive at the same time. To take a sip, you must completely stop your kart. No moving while drinking.
- First person to cross the finish line with an empty drink wins.
Strategy
The big decision is when to stop and drink. You have several options:
- Chug at the start: Finish your entire drink before the race begins (while others are already racing). You will be way behind but can race uninterrupted.
- Chug at the end: Race the whole course first to build a lead, then stop right before the finish line to chug.
- Sip throughout: Take small breaks during the race to sip, spreading the drinking across all three laps.
- Strategic stops: Drink when you get hit by an item or fall off the track anyway — you were stopped already.
There is no single best strategy. Chugging at the start is high risk but high reward. Sipping throughout is safer but you lose time on every stop. Experiment and find what works for you.
Casual Mario Kart Drinking Rules
Not ready for the full Beerio Kart experience? These rules add drinking without the intensity:
- Drink when you get hit by a shell (any color)
- Drink when you fall off the track
- Drink when you get hit by a blue shell
- Drink when you spin out on a banana peel
- Drink when you finish lower than 4th place
- Drink when you get struck by lightning
- Take 2 drinks when you get hit by a blue shell in first place
- The player who finishes last each race takes an extra drink
- The player who finishes first gives out 2 drinks to anyone they choose
Tournament Mode
For a longer session with stakes:
- Set up a Grand Prix (4 races) or create a custom bracket.
- After each race, the bottom half of the standings drinks.
- After the full Grand Prix, the player with the lowest total score finishes their drink.
- The Grand Prix winner gets to make a rule that applies to the next Grand Prix (like “no one can use brakes” or “everyone plays as the same character”).
Team Battle Mode
Split into two teams:
- Add up team placement points after each race.
- The losing team drinks after each race.
- If one team sweeps the top 2 spots, the other team takes double drinks.
- At the end of the session, the losing team does a group dare chosen by the winners.
Rainbow Road Challenge
The ultimate test of skill and sobriety:
- Everyone plays Rainbow Road.
- Standard Beerio Kart rules apply (must finish your beer, cannot drink while driving).
- Additional rule: drink every time you fall off the track.
- This track is notoriously difficult, so falls are frequent. This mode is not for beginners.
Battle Mode Drinking Rules
Playing Balloon Battle or Shine Thief? Use these:
- Drink when you lose a balloon
- Drink when you get eliminated
- The last player standing gives out 5 drinks to distribute however they want
- In Shine Thief, drink every time someone steals the Shine from you
Which Mario Kart Game Works Best?
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch): Best overall. Supports up to 4 players locally, looks great, and has the most tracks.
- Mario Kart Wii: A classic choice. Motion controls add an extra layer of difficulty when drinking.
- Mario Kart 64: Nostalgic and great for 4 players. Simpler tracks make it easier to drink and race.
- Mario Kart DS/3DS: Works if each player has their own handheld, but the small screens make group viewing harder.
Tips
- Use cans, not bottles. You need to drink fast and put the drink down. Cans are easier to chug and less likely to spill.
- Choose 150cc. 50cc is too slow and boring. 200cc is nearly impossible while drinking. 150cc is the sweet spot.
- Auto-accelerate OFF. Part of the game is that your kart actually stops when you let go to drink.
- Towels ready. Spills will happen when someone gets hit by a blue shell mid-sip.
- Light beer only for Beerio Kart. You are finishing a full beer per race. Keep it light.
- 3-4 races max for Beerio Kart. That is 3-4 full beers. Know your limits.