No matter what you call it (beer at the time, social hour, discounted drinks, profitable cocktails), happy hour is that magical time of day when drinks and snacks are discounted at many restaurants and bars. These discounts range from two-for-one deals to special prices on select food and drink combinations. It's a great way to bring people together, foster camaraderie, and strengthen work ties. Happy Hour at work gives your team members a chance to socialize and connect with their co-workers and talk about more than just big projects and looming deadlines.
It's usually celebrated at 5 p.m. on Fridays, although some businesses start earlier or do so on different days (or even every day). The slow hours of restaurants and bars are between 14:00 and 18:00 hours, when most people are still at work or school. Happy Hour is designed to draw people in and make them spend money during a time of day that is often slow. It's really a way to get co-workers to mingle and get to know each other, but alcohol is quite common as a way to help people relax and unwind.
The easiest way to have happy hour at work is to get everyone together to share a drink and talk. However, sometimes that's not enough to unify your team. You might need a little novelty to get your employees out of their shells. If you're looking for ways to make your work happy hour more successful, here are some ideas that can help. Coworking spaces, such as Bond Collective, are a great resource for businesses of all sizes that want to keep their overhead costs low while maintaining a professional image.
They're also a great resource for inspiration and creativity, especially during happy hour at work. Instead of restricting happy hour at work to the ten people on your team, open it up to everyone in the office. This gives your employees the opportunity to find a new perspective on work, relationships, and life in general. Not everyone likes beer, so add some variety to your work happy hour by also offering wine and mixed drinks. Remember to also include non-alcoholic beverages for those who don't want to drink alcohol for any reason (maybe they're driving home, following a restricted diet, or have a family history of alcoholism).
This increases the likelihood that everyone on your team will find a drink they like and that no one will feel left out. Drinking and socializing is the purpose of happy hour at work, but you can add a new dimension of fun by turning it into a formal event. If you celebrate happy hour at work on Friday, try to dress elegant instead of casual, make it a formal Friday instead of a casual Friday. Establish a minimum dress code (e.g., no jeans or sneakers). Your goal is a high-class adventure (like the Met Gala), so party costumes and tuxedos aren't out of the question. If the weather is nice and you have outdoor space, use it.
Move your happy hour from work to the roof or patio. Celebrating happy hour in an outdoor space gives your employees a chance to get some fresh air and take in the sights and sounds of the city around them. That can help them relax and unwind as much as, if not more, than the beverages you serve. You could even consider decorating your outdoor space to liven up the environment and transport your employees to another location. If you don't have ideas, use the following two suggestions as inspiration.
You might not have access to an outdoor space where you work, but chances are there's a botanical garden or park pavilion nearby. Why not leave work early and organize a happy hour at a garden party? You can even combine several of the suggestions on this list and make your garden party a formal, catered event. It would be a good change for your employees, who are probably used to drinking coffee and sandwiches at their desks. Why not take advantage of that desire to enjoy happy hour at work? Instead of just meeting in the conference room for a beer and a snack at the bar, choose a theme for the evening and offer your employees the option of dressing accordingly. One of our favorite themes is the 1920s (in the style of The Great Gatsby).
The glitz, the glamor, the flapper dresses - all contribute to escaping the norm that can quickly turn into an incredibly pleasant evening. Instead of always offering an “open bar” during happy hour at work, consider stepping out of the familiar wine-and-beer mentality and trying a wine tasting or martinis bar. If your employees like it, you can really change things up and organize a tasting of strong alcoholic beverages (a.k.a., hard liquor).Your team spent all day at the office (probably all week too). Happy Hour from work is a wonderful opportunity to get out and explore the neighborhood. The next time you organize a happy hour at work, arrange for your team members to bring their favorite food and drink to share.
Organizing a shared meal like this reduces costs, increases fun, and gives your employees a chance to try new things. Yes, happy hour usually involves drinking a few adult drinks to relax after work - but why not change things up from time to time? Instead of wine and beer substitute coffee and tea. Arrange for your team members to bring their favorite snacks or desserts - this will give them something else besides alcohol with which they can bond over. Happy Hour from work is an excellent way for teams to come together after long days in the office - but it doesn't have to be limited just drinks! With these tips you can make sure that everyone has something they enjoy doing during Happy Hour - whether it's drinking beer or exploring new places!.
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