Having a fun night out at your favorite Ferndale bar isn't just about drinking and getting buzzed. It's about having some good old-fashioned fun whether you're drinking or DD'ing. At The Corner, a hangout spot in downtown Ferndale, you can eat, drink, and enjoy board games to your heart's content.
One awesome board game to play with family and friends is A Fake Artist Goes to New York. Our patrons have loved this game since we introduced it, which made it a clear choice for this month's board game spotlight.
If you're searching for how to play A Fake Artist Goes to New York in 2026 or looking for a fast-paced party drawing game for your next group night, this guide breaks down the rules, strategy, and what makes it such a hit at our Ferndale board game bar.
A Fake Artist Goes to New York - The Rules
A Fake Artist Goes To New York was created by famous board game designer Jun Sasaki for Oink Games.
This compact social deduction board game has become a standout modern party game thanks to its simple drawing mechanics and clever bluffing dynamic.
If you haven't heard of Jun Sasaki, you may know some of the other great games he's created, like Deep Sea Adventure, Fafnir, Startups, Maskmen, In a Grove, and Kobayakawa.
If you enjoy these games or are simply in the market to try something new, you're in for a treat with A Fake Artist Goes To New York.
The Basics
So, what is this game about?
As the name implies, it is about a fake artist, and players must figure out who they are. For the fake artist, their goal is to identify what the real artists were trying to draw. The first to make the right identification wins.
The game board box contains the following:
- Title cards
- 10 color pens (1 color for every artist)
- Whiteboard marker
- Drawing paper
- Game manual
The game can be played by five to ten people. The more "artists" there are, the better the challenge—identifying the fake artist will be much harder. It is also more boisterous, so expect the board game room to become quite loud.
Don't worry—no one needs to be a particularly skilled artist in real life to participate in this game.
The Rules
Here are the rules of the game:
1. Game Master Decides the Category
The game master will decide what the artists will draw. On each of the title cards, they will write down the category name as well as the specific thing that everyone must draw.
However, one card will only have the category name and an "X" under it. This way, the fake artist will know the category but not what they should draw.
2. The 'Artists' Start Drawing
All artists will have a different-colored pen for easy identification. Each one will take a turn trying to draw the assigned item.
Each artist can only draw one stroke, and the next one will build on that one stroke to draw the item. However, they cannot make it too obvious right away, or the fake artist will be able to guess it correctly.
The fake artist's job is to randomly make strokes and make it seem like they know what they are drawing.
Strategy Tip: Real artists should add subtle, meaningful strokes without revealing the object too quickly. The fake artist should focus on mimicking shapes and positioning rather than adding detail—blending in is more important than accuracy.
3. The Guess
After all players have created two lines each, they will now identify or vote for the fake artist. If the fake artist gets the most votes, they lose the game—unless they correctly guess the item the others were assigned to draw.
If the fake artist guesses correctly, they steal the win. That last-second twist is what makes every round loud, dramatic, and unforgettable—especially in a packed game room.
Play A Fake Artist Goes To New York in Ferndale Bars
The only thing better than a board game night is a board game night in a cool bar with great food and drinks on demand. At The Corner, our games are always a hoot, and A Fake Artist Goes To New York is guaranteed to be an especially entertaining mess. After a game, every drawing paper looks like a chaos of colors.
It's one of the best party board games for groups looking for fun things to do in Ferndale or a unique night out near Detroit. The mix of food, drinks, and tabletop competition creates the kind of energy you can't replicate at home.
Next time you visit us, be sure to take a board game or two to your table. After a game or two, you might even want to try more! With hundreds of games in our library, you may be at a loss on what to play next, but don't worry; we also have a game sommelier to make ideal recommendations for your group.
Enjoy Detroit Board Games at The Corner in Ferndale, Michigan
The Corner is Ferndale's favorite place to stop in, chow down, and hang out. Any night of the week can be your friend group's next game night with us! Make a game room reservation for guaranteed fun or simply stop by to see what we have to offer. See you soon, Ferndale!