So no one told you life would bring you “Friends” on the silver platter that is Netflix. All 238 episodes of the decade-old sitcom came with the New Year, and it even has Central Perk frequent visitors reliving the highlights: the will-they-won’t-they Ross and Rachel; the fan-favorite, sarcastic Chandler; and, oh my God, don’t forget Janice. For those of you unconvinced to watch it again, might I remind you that you don’t have to wait for reruns or get up after every sixth episode to change the DVD in the box set. Whether you’re reliving the ‘90s for the umpteenth time or experiencing it for the first time, here’s a drinking game to take you from opening song to ending credits.
Opening credits - Drink, but make sure you do the four claps
Joey doesn’t understand - Drink
Phoebe sings - Drink, and finish the drink if it’s “Smelly Cat”
Ross talks about dinosaurs or his ex-wife - Drink
Rachel gets the orders wrong as a waitress - Drink
Monica is OCD - Drink
Chandler makes a lame joke - Drink
One of the friends goes on a date - Drink
One of the friends is shown at work - Drink
EW, Ugly Naked Guy is doing (fill in the blank) - Drink
Fun with animals - Drink if you see Marcel, the chick or the duck
Famous guest star is shown - Drink
The gang is at Central Perk - Waterfall through the scene
Gunther pines after Rachel - Finish your drink for the poor man
Janice episode - Drink everything in sight
Every week the Avenue will bring you a new drinking game to play while binging on your Netflix favorites. Check back next week for “Gilmore Girls.”
[A version of this story ran on page 7 on 1/8/2015 under the headline "Netflix binge drinking game: Friends"]
