55 Best Drinking Songs For A Boozy Playlist - Music Grotto (2024)

There’s nothing like a night out with friends filled with booze and great music. Whether you’re heading to a bar, a club, or enjoying a party at home, a good drinking song can set the tone for the night. Here are our top 55 best drinking songs to play on your next night out on the town.

1. House Party — Sam Hunt

Who said that you have to go out to have a good time? House Party is all about throwing a crazy party without ever leaving your own home. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to what makes a perfect night, so we won’t judge you if you prefer to stay at home. After all, there’s no cover fee, no long lines, and you get to choose the tunes.

Next: Our ultimate party songs playlist feature

2. American Pie — Don McLean

American Pie isn’t explicitly about drinking, but it covers a lot of topics in its eight minutes and forty-two seconds. It does make repeated references to alcohol in the chorus with the line: “Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye.” But more than anything, it is a great drinking song because it’s a crowd favorite. It’s perfect for singing with a group of friends with your glasses raised in the air.

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3. Drunken Lullabies — Flogging Molly

If there is anyone who knows how to sing a drinking song, it’s the Irish. And Flogging Molly knows exactly how to bring the classic Irish sound into modern music, with plenty of punk influences. Drunken Lullabies is deeper than it seems, with plenty of political commentary about the Irish Troubles and the cyclical nature of humankind. Pretty deep for a drinking song, but it’s a banger all the same.

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4. Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home) — Elle King And Miranda Lambert

Some collaborations bring worlds colliding and yet somehow completely work. The year 2021 brought together British singer Elle King of Ex’s & Oh’s fame and country music legend Miranda Lambert in Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home). This ultra-catchy song invites everyone in the bar to raise their glass and sing along—and hopefully, be responsible drivers, just like the two in the song.

5. Tennessee Whiskey — George Jones

George Jones was the king of sad-drinking songs, and Tennessee Whiskey might just be one of the best. But this 1983 hit isn’t all sad. It’s actually about a man who spent most of his life drowning his loneliness in a bottle. Eventually, he has found someone whose love is much better than any liquor he has ever tried. Now, there’s a lesson in love.

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6. Tubthumping — Chumbawamba

There is probably not a person alive who hasn’t heard this song at least once (more like a hundred times). Even if you just know the chorus, you’re likely to find yourself screaming it along with the rest of the crowd in the bar or club. While most of the song is about resilience, it is definitely a drinking song, referencing whiskey, beer, vodka, and hard cider.

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7. Happy Hour — The Housemartins

Have you ever felt lonely in a crowd or out of place at a party? The Housemartins sang about this sensation all the way back in 1986. The lyrics discuss how strange the phrase “happy hour” is when most of the people there really aren’t happy at all. We’ll let your happy hour speak for itself—hopefully, it is a bit better than what the song depicts.

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8. Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced — Dropkick Murphys

We’ll leave it to you to decide if this 2003 hit from Dropkick Murphys is sweet or… not so sweet. The song details all the ridiculous lies that men tend to tell women in bars, from being the architect who designed the Sears Tower to being able to lift a car. But ultimately, the singer says he doesn’t need any of these lies, because his best pickup line is to tell a girl he’s drunk and wants to make out.

Next: Top songs about lies, lying and being a liar

9. Brass Monkey — Beastie Boys

If you spent years wondering what on earth a brass monkey was, you’re not alone. The term either refers to a brand of premixed cocktail from the 70s and 80s or to a homemade version, which was decidedly less polished. With all those mystery drinks being passed around, it’s no wonder people were doing the strange dance moves described in the song.

10. God of Wine — Third Eye Blind

Some drinking songs are less positive than others, and God Of Wine by Third Eye Blind definitely explores the dark side of alcohol. It depicts Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, as the modern struggle with alcohol addiction. Wherever the singer goes, he is always waiting for them, ready to lay the curse on them once again. It’s a sobering tale in every sense of the word.

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11. TiK ToK — Kesha

Back when TiK ToK was a pop hit instead of a social media app, it was the quintessential party song. It’s impossible to ignore the references to partying and drinking with in-your-face lines like “Before I leave, brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack.” While we don’t recommend that specific type of oral hygiene, this high-energy hit is perfect for singing while you enjoy a glass of whiskey.

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12. I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink — Merle Haggard

The subgenre of “drinking to forget an ex” is almost as old as modern music, and Merle Haggard was one of the earliest ones to do it. This 1980 hit is still just as good as it was when it was new, all about a man who doesn’t know what to do with himself now that his relationship is over. His solution is to sit at the bar and have a drink.

13. Whiskey River — Willie Nelson

Many of us have known people who used alcohol to cope with the pain of losing someone they love—in fact, many of us may have done it ourselves. Willie Nelson’s Whiskey River is a mournful drinking song about floating away in a stream of liquor, all for the sake of escaping painful memories.

14. Sunday Morning Coming Down — Johnny Cash

Sunday Morning Coming Down isn’t exactly about drinking, but it is about being hungover. This Johnny Cash classic depicts someone who has spent their Saturday night drinking and smoking. Now, on Sunday morning, they wake up with a pounding head, have a few beers for breakfast, and wonder what it would be like to not need alcohol as a crutch for their loneliness.

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15. Lilac Wine — Nina Simone

All the way back in 1966, Nina Simone was recording a drinking song that is still irresistible to this day. This is about making homemade wine from lilac flowers. The resulting taste and smell—as well as the effects of the alcohol—put in mind the love the singer feels for an ex-lover.

16. Whiskey In The Jar — Thin Lizzy

Whiskey In The Jar is a classic Irish drinking song, but Thin Lizzy gave it a 20th-century makeover with their 70s folk-rock cover. It is all about a man who deals with his significant other cheating on him, getting into an unexpected duel to the death and even landing in jail, but he doesn’t mind as long as he has whiskey. We won’t say it’s the best coping mechanism, but it makes for a catchy song.

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17. Whiskey Girl — Gillian Welch

There is a lot up for interpretation in this 1998 hit. Whether you want to dive deep into the meaning of Nowhere Man And Whiskey Girl on their adventures to the underworld or just enjoy the song with your friends in the bar, there’s something about this song that just hits all the right notes.

18. White Lightning — George Jones

If you’ve ever been to Appalachia or the American South, you know that people there still love their moonshine. Thankfully, these days, it’s brewed with more safety regulations than back in the days of woodland stills. All the same, one sip and you’ll know exactly why George Jones refers to it as “white lightning.” This is a great drinking tune whether you’re in North Carolina or New York.

19. Tipsy — J-Kwon

When it comes to modern drinking songs, 2004’s Tipsy is legendary. It contradicts itself from the get-go with the lyrics “Teen drinking is very bad, Yo, I got a fake ID though.” If you were a teenager back when this hit came out, your days of fake IDs are long behind you. All the same, this is still just as catchy as it was in 2004.

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20. Moonshiner — Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan’s Moonshiner has been one of the best drinking songs around since it was first recorded in the early 60s. A little bit celebratory and a little bit sad, it tells the story of a moonshine distiller whose whole life revolves around the bar room. He makes his money with alcohol and spends it all on alcohol. It’s introspective but incredibly catchy all at once.

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21. Kiss The Bottle — Foo Fighters

This Foo Fighters’ song is a cover of the tune by Jawbreaker. It is about making the wrong choices and choosing bad habits over the person that you love. The poignant chorus includes the lines: “I kissed the bottle, I should’ve been kissing you.” It might be a song about the ways that addiction can ruin your life, but it’s such a great track that it’s worth another play.

22. Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) — The Doors

This 60s throwback from The Doors is lyrically simple but still a real banger. It’s easy to sing along to, with repeated lines all about looking for whiskey. We’ll let you interpret whether the singer is on the hunt for liquor to celebrate the life of “Mama” or simply to cope with her loss.

23. One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer — George Thorogood

They say “Liquor before beer, you’re in the clear,” so George Thorogood was doing something right with One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer. This is about drinking to deal with life’s problems, something that unfortunately most of us can probably relate to. Despite the heavy subject matter, it’s an irresistibly catchy song.

24. Have Another Drink — The Kinks

The Kinks’ Have Another Drink has some pretty dark parts, but it’s iconic enough and catchy enough to earn a spot on our list. We don’t recommend drinking to deal with all your problems, but hey, it was the 70s. These days, it’s probably better to just go to therapy.

25. Lived in Bars — Cat Power

Lived In Bars was one of the biggest party anthems of the 2000s. It’s not as well-known these days, but it is still worth a replay. This song is about living a wild party lifestyle, with endless days of dancing on tables and drinking until you couldn’t anymore. If you were into country music back in 2006 (or in your party animal phase) you probably heard this track played many times.

26. Gin And Juice — Snoop Dogg

Gin And Juice was one of Snoop Dogg’s earliest party hits, and it’s still iconic. It was pretty racy for the early 90s, but that is part of what made it so memorable. If you remember drinking cheap mixed cocktails (like Seagram’s, as the song mentions) back in that era, you’ll enjoy hearing this party banger once again—even if it’s older than most people in the bar.

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27. The Blarney Stone — Ween

The Blarney Stone is a famous piece of limestone in Ireland that is said to give the power of persuasion to anyone who kisses it. This pirate-shanty-inspired song is about a man who has the Blarney blessing, enabling him to speak beautifully about some truly disturbing topics. Be warned, this song isn’t for the easily scandalized.

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28. Friends in Low Places — Garth Brooks

Have you ever been to a party and looked around, realizing that you don’t like any of the people there? Friends In Low Places is about going to a black-tie affair full of snobbish, judgemental people. The singer eventually realizes that he would rather be at his local watering hole enjoying a beer with the “lowlifes” everyone else looks down on.

29. Tequila — The Champs

This 1958 song literally only contains one word: tequila! But the instrumentals are so catchy that it’s become a classic ode to the Mexican drink. If your favorite cocktail includes this south-of-the-border liquor, you might find yourself roaring the one word along with The Champs (and probably everyone else in the bar).

Next: The best songs about tequila (our picks)

30. After The Afterparty — Charli XCX Featuring Lil Yachty

Some people just don’t want the party to end, and that’s what After The Afterparty is about. Long after everyone else has left the bar (or passed out), this song is an ode to the people who want to keep going all night long. If you have the stamina, more kudos to you.

31. Last Name — Carrie Underwood

Most of Carrie Underwood’s songs are pretty wholesome, but Last Name doesn’t exactly fit the bill. This is an ode to a wild night of drinking and eventually blacking out. Most of us have done that before, though only a few have woken up with a wedding ring on their fingers.

32. Margaritaville — Jimmy Buffett

Jimmy Buffett’s 70s hit is a boozy classic. The song is all about a man who falls into a pattern of drinking all day while he tries to forget an ex-lover. But though he pretends that the breakup wasn’t his fault at first, the liquor makes him more honest. The more time he spends in Margaritaville, the more he must admit that his mistakes ruined his relationship.

33. Bank Holiday — Blur

A bank holiday might not be a familiar term to Americans, but across the pond, it’s a day of celebration that everyone has off work. Even if you’ve never experienced one, Blur’s song makes it sound pretty fun, with plenty of good food and—it goes without saying—lots of beer. It might be hard to go back to work after a holiday like that.

34. Red Red Wine — Neil Diamond

Have you ever gotten drunk enough to text an ex? Neil Diamond sang about a similar experience all the way back in 1967. Lucky for him, texting didn’t exist back then, so he just sang about wanting to reconnect with an old lover. But ultimately, he just blamed the red wine for bringing up thoughts of her.

35. Bartender — Lady Antebellum

Bartender is about a group of friends convincing someone to go out to the bar and get over their ex. To make the night a success, the singer relies on the bartender to keep pouring the drinks. The goal is to get lost in the liquor and the lights until they don’t even remember their ex’s name.

36. Have a Drink On Me — AC/DC

Have A Drink On Me is a party song addressed to everyone in the bar, inviting them to cut loose and enjoy the night. It includes a long list of drinks, so don’t be surprised if you hear your beverage of choice mentioned. The track is considered a bit controversial as it was recorded almost on the same night that the lead vocalist died of acute alcohol poisoning.

Next: Greatest AC/DC songs

37. Drunk On a Plane — Dierks Bentley

Drunk On A Plane is about a man flying solo on what should have been his honeymoon. With his wedding canceled, he decides to take the trip alone and have as much fun as possible. You don’t have to have drinks at 36,000 feet in the air to still have fun with this song.

38. Beer Thirty — Brooks & Dunn

Beer Thirty is an ode to blowing off work and enjoying a drink (or drinks) with the person that you love. Sometimes, it’s nice to go out to a bar, but other times, all you need is to relax with your favorite person. And we can all relate to the feeling of freedom when work is finally done.

39. Raise Your Glass — Pink

It’s hard not to get into P!nk’s hard-hitting party song. The singer delivers with her typical aggressive in-your-face vocals and lyrics about “nitty gritty dirty little freaks” coming together to celebrate. It’s a great way of saying that in a place like a bar, everyone is equal because they are all just there for a good time. This is one song that will make you feel like dancing on the table.

40. Young, Wild, And Free — Snoop Dogg And Wiz Khalifa featuring Bruno Mars

Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, and Bruno Mars all on one track? This is one song that is bound to be good. Young, Wild, And Free is all about having the same kind of crazy fun that you had back when you were a teenager. When you’re with the right people, you can cut loose and have just as much fun as you did when you were 17—even if your teen years are far behind you.

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41. Shot For Me — Drake

Drake’s song Shot For Me is a strange combination of a drinking song, a breakup song, a goodbye song, and a revenge song. The lyrics are addressed to an ex, and there is clearly unfinished business at play. Ultimately, Drake says that it is time to move on, and he only asks that his ex remember him by taking a shot in his name. It might not be everyone’s method of handling breakups, but you have to admit it has style.

42. Piano Man — Billy Joel

Another song that’s a great drinking tune mostly because it’s a classic crowd favorite. Sure, the song does mention a bar and includes lines like, “It’s better than drinking alone,” but the main draw is that it’s perfect for singing with friends (or heck, even strangers). It’s so widely known as a bar song that it got a shoutout in the sitcom Brooklyn 99 as a “mafia rite of passage.”

43. The Nights — Avicii

Before his tragic death at the age of 28, Avicii put out some amazing songs. Though he was best known for Wake Me Up, his 2014 hit The Nights has become an electronic pop classic. This is all about a father telling his son to make a life full of adventure and to fill his nights with memories because one day it will all be gone.

44. Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers — ZZ Top

You don’t have to be a beer drinker or a self-proclaimed hell raiser to enjoy this old tune from ZZ Top. The whimsical lyrics stand on their own, with one verse describing the busy bar as “Soundin’ a lot like a House Congressional, ‘Cause we’re experimental and professional.” This song embraces the description of party people as “hell raisers,” which is what your grandma might have called you. If the shoe fits, I guess.

45. Cold Gin — Kiss

Alcohol is known for bringing people together, sometimes in the strangest ways. This 70s throwback hit from Kiss is about two people living in a ramshackle apartment complex where the heat goes out on the regular. When that happens, they rekindle their relationship for the sake of warmth and companionship (and some cold gin, of course). It’s not the best foundation for a relationship, but we won’t judge.

46. Hole in The Bottle — Kelsea Ballerini

This 2020 country bop from Kelsea Ballerini opens with an unusual disclaimer about how the song is meant for people who can drink in moderation. Ironically, it goes on to describe a person who is drinking their wine so quickly (all to get over an ex) that it seems like there’s a “hole in the bottle.” All we can say is that watching your liquor is a slippery slope.

47. Cigarettes & Alcohol — Oasis

Believe it or not, Oasis actually did release something other than Wonderwall. This 1994 track is about looking for something to live for and finding it in cigarettes and alcohol. It might not be something you want to emulate in your own life, but it’s catchy enough to sing along to when it comes on at the bar. Most of us can relate to finding comfort in our vices.

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48. Galway Girl — Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran, traditional Irish music, and rap verses? Sign us up. This 2017 hit came from the same album as other bangers such as Shape Of You and Bibia Be Ye Ye, which is also all about boozing in the town. You don’t have to have any Irish ancestry to enjoy this ultra-catchy song about meeting a fascinating stranger in a pub and knowing you’ll remember the night forever.

49. You And Me (And The Bottle Makes Three) — Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Why was there a 90s revival of Big Band Music? Maybe we’ll never know. But at least the craze brought us some great songs, like this 1995 hit from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. It might be a strange fusion of genres, and like many drinking songs, it has an underlying note of melancholy. But it’s so catchy that we’ll give it a pass—and it’s definitely worth playing again and again.

50. Cheers (Drink to That) — Rihanna

It’s almost impossible to resist a Rihanna song, whether it plays at a bar, club, or somewhere else. This super upbeat tune is about having fun on the weekend no matter what the week brought. It definitely qualifies as a pick-me-up song, whether you’re drinking Jameson or not. If you’ve had a terrible week with your boss, belting this song in the bar is a good way to let the frustrations out.

51. Closing Time — Semisonic

Closing Time is the perfect “last call” song—it’s right in the title! This track is a dramatization of a bartender’s last call of the night, and includes the famous line “You don’t have to go home, But you can’t stay here.” You might have heard it many times before, but there’s always room for another play.

52. Milk And Alcohol — Dr. Feelgood

This 1978 indie rock hit might make you do a mental double take at first—did they say milk and alcohol? The track is said to be a reference to drinking Kahlua, one of the few acceptable milk-based cocktails. Regardless of your own drink preferences, it’s hard to resist the catchy beat of this song.

53. Streams of Whiskey — The Pogues

The Irish have composed plenty of songs about wandering through life with no goals but a drink at the end of the day. So it was nothing new when The Pogues did it in 1984—but they did give Streams Of Whiskey a new feel for the late 20th century. Even decades later, it’s hard to resist this throwback banger.

54. Club Can’t Handle Me — Flo Rida Featuring David Guetta

Few club songs have stood the test of time like Flo Rida’s 2010 song Club Can’t Handle Me. If your party is moving from the bar to the club, this track is bound to pull you out on the dance floor. It isn’t explicitly about getting boozed up, but we can probably make a few assumptions (especially if Flo Rida really is attracting that much attention in the club).

55. Drink It Up Men — The Dubliners

There is no ode to alcohol like the 1967 song from The Dubliners. Beer, wine, whiskey, and brandy all get a nod in this track, though the singer concludes that all the finest liquors in the world can’t beat a good glass of beer. But there’s a cost to a night out drinking, as the final verse reminds us.

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