Bartender
A short-form scene where a silly audience problem gets solved through improvised song or rap between a bar guest and a bartender.
Players
2–4
Difficulty
Beginner
Full description
Setup and Launch
Assign roles: Player 1 is a bar guest with a ridiculous problem, Player 2 is the bartender. Ask the audience for a silly, safe, and specific enough problem — playful, not traumatic. Repeat the suggestion out loud so both players hear it clearly.
Briefly remind the players of the mechanic: the guest presents the problem in song or rap; the bartender listens closely and responds in musical form with a solution. Agree on a rough length per pair — about 1 to 2 minutes. With a larger group, rotate through multiple pairs.
Flow
1. Getting the Suggestion
The host locks in the problem wording, shortening or sharpening it if needed. Player 1 confirms who they are and what brought them to the bar, setting the starting context.
2. The Guest's Complaint (Player 1 Song/Rap)
Player 1 lays out the problem clearly and rhythmically: what happened, why it's a nuisance, what they want. Specifics matter more than cleverness. The host watches the tempo and gently signals to wrap up the verse if a player gets stuck.
3. The Bartender's Answer (Player 2 Song/Rap)
The bartender picks up the guest's key words, acknowledges the feeling, and offers a simple, clear solution in musical form. Stay on topic: the response builds on what was heard, shifting toward a way out of the problem.
4. Ending
Once the solution lands and gets a reaction, deliver a short shared "button" — a final line or gesture — and move to applause. The host closes the scene on time so it doesn't drag.
Key rules
Filter the audience suggestion: it should be silly and safe, with a concrete action — avoid real trauma and controversial topics.
Simplicity over flash: pick a clear rhythm or melodic pattern and hold it through the entire verse.
The bartender builds on the guest's words: mirror their phrasing, shift only the attitude, and offer a way forward.
Give a specific solution inside the world of the scene, not generic advice — this makes the resolution feel real.
Keep timing to 60–120 seconds: call it after the first clear solution and a played "button" to avoid fading out.
Context
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