Most hash events end with a group gathering known as the Circle. Led by kennel leadership, the Circle provides a time to socialize, sing drinking songs, recognize individuals, formally name members, or inform the group of pertinent news or upcoming events. Circles may be led by the Kennel Grandmaster, the group's Religious Adviser, or by a committee.   

A down-down is a means of punishing, rewarding, or merely recognizing an individual for any action or behavior according to the customs or whims of the group. Generally, the individual in question is asked to consume without pause the contents of his or her drinking vessel or risk pouring the remaining contents on his or her head. Individuals may be recognized for outstanding service, or for their status as a visitor or newcomer. Down-Downs also serve as punishment for misdemeanors real, imagined, or blatantly made up. Such transgressions may include: failing to stop at the beer check, pointing with a finger, or the use of real names (also known as nerd names). A special type of down-down is often reserved for hashers who wear new shoes to an event. The hasher is required to remove one shoe, which then serves as the vessel for the down-down. In some kennels the beer is further filtered through the accused's sock.         
Many kennels include an ice seat or throne as part of the down-down ceremony. Those who are to consume a down-down sit on a large block of ice while they await the completion of the down-down song. If the offense that resulted in the down-down is particularly egregious, the hasher may be subjected to a long song with many verses. Usually the hasher must remove any attire that comes between his/her seat and the ice.   

In most kennels, the use of real names during an event is discouraged. Members are typically given a "hash name," usually in deference to a particularly notorious escapade, a personality trait, or their physical appearance. In some kennels the name must be earned - that is, hashers are not named until they've done something outstanding, unusual, or stupid enough to warrant a name. In other kennels the process is more mechanical and hashers are named after completing a certain number of events (5-10 being the most common).               

Some kennels focus on "family-friendly" names (for example: Lost My Way); others focus on names filled with innuendo (for example: Salt Lick); and some go out of their way to make the name as bawdy, scatological, or offensive as possible (no example given because these names are limited to the imagination of the kennel). Many kennels go out of their way to give politically incorrect names. Those hashers who have not been named are generally referred to as "Just (Name)" or "No Name (Name)" (e.g., "No Name John").             

Hashers are not permitted to give themselves nicknames due to the obvious conflict of interest. Hashers who do so are often renamed by the kennel at the earliest opportunity and with a more offensive name. Similarly, hashers who do get named and don't like their name may end up being renamed by their kennel, the members of whom will strive to give the complaining hasher an even more offensive or inappropriate name.