Office Happy Hour Etiquette
Office happy hours can be fun and unforgettable experiences, team-building opportunities and bonding opportunities, whether it’s a typical after hour function or a holiday party. You get to chill out, drink up and eat tasty food — what's better than that? However, drinking with your bosses and colleagues is different from hanging out with friends, and requires you to know a pinch of etiquette while you keep one eye on the employee code of conduct.
You want to have a great happy hour experience that encourages new connections and strengthens your existing team dynamics, especially in a world with remote teams. You can do just that by learning the ins and outs of drinking with work partners. Sit back, tip your bottle to the skies and create long-lasting memories by following some helpful suggestions.
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Know Drinking Etiquette (Pace Yourself)
Drinking at a work happy hour lets you unwind, but it doesn't mean it's time for you to get fall-down drunk. The last thing you want to do is go overboard in front of people you see every day. Drinking with your boss can be exciting and entertaining if you keep it chill. That's why it's essential to know some life-saving tips concerning happy hour etiquette:
Choose the right drink: Don't choose strong, knock-you-down drinks to alleviate your nerves. A quality beverage can calm you enough to enjoy the festivities, but you don't want anything too intense.
Limit the amount you drink: Buy one drink and take your time sipping if you'd rather not do multiple rounds. You can substitute subsequent rounds for non-alcoholic beverages like soda or flavored water.
Leave at an appropriate time: You'll still have work in the morning, so cut the night a little shorter to ensure you get a full night's sleep. Spend enough time to mingle with your colleagues, and call it a night before the activities continue into the late hours.
Practice common sense: Don't drink with your mouth full or leave food on the side of your glass.
Choose the Right Drink
Now that you're familiar with the etiquette, you may be wondering what drinks to choose. This factor depends on your tolerance — you likely know when to stop before the room starts spinning.
However, if you need guidance, consider a local craft beer. These drinks offer distinct and hard-to-find flavors, which can make your get-together unique. Try cocktails like Vodka Sodas, Moscow Mules or Amaretto Sours if you want something fruity and enjoyable.
Pair every drink with a glass of water to keep your head clear. Eating throughout the night — like a portion of creamy pasta or some fresh seafood — will keep you full and prevent the liquor from going straight to your head.
Keep Conversations Light and Professional
You've been itching to spill to someone about the new manager or the last big project — so now's the time to unleash, right? Not necessarily! You want to keep your conversations similar to the ones you have at work, but more relaxed. If your after-work happy hour is more of a semi-formal event, you can expect to encounter office talk. If it's more informal and all about fun, though, hold off on the project platitudes unless someone else brings up work first.
Walk the line between personal and professional. You probably don't want to talk about your most embarrassing moments or anything else you wouldn't be comfortable telling the world. Instead, bring up topics like past vacations, your favorite Netflix series or events around town you'd like to try. Talking about your hobbies and interests plays up your fun-loving nature and makes your colleagues more interested in who you are as a person.
If the conversation does turn to work at some point, there are a few things you can mention without seeming overeager or disinterested:
Mention the success of a recent collaborative project.
Compliment your colleagues' latest accomplishments, such as a promotion or raise.
Ask about what your coworkers in different departments generally do.
Share your ideas, such as concepts for team building exercises or productivity tips for higher efficiency.
Steer clear of controversial discussions, such as those about religion and politics. If you wouldn't bring it up in the workplace, it's best to keep it off the table during an after-work happy hour.
Dress Appropriately for the Office
If your workplace favors casual apparel, pick your outfit according to what you'd choose for a typical day. Your dress code should be similar to what you usually wear at the office, so save the feather boa and sparkly vest for another time. You don't need to make headlines with your outfit if standing out isn't your thing, but putting in the effort can pay off.
If your office leans more toward suits and formal wear, you'll probably want a more relaxed look for the event. Take cues from Casual Friday and go with a button-down and a nice pair of slacks, or a knit shirt and denim pants. Pair a colorful dress with a business-savvy blazer, or wear a classic blouse with denim jeans.
Connect With New People
Learning how to network at happy hour can be difficult. However, getting well-acquainted with your colleagues and bosses allows you to share ideas and showcase your brilliance outside of the office. Start the conversation with casual talk, and weave in work anecdotes if the atmosphere is right. To connect with your colleagues:
Find common ground: Ask about their likes and hobbies, and find common ground on similar subjects. Do they collect vintage postcards? Maybe you have a collection of rare stamps you could interest them in.
Keep it light: Talk about current trends, fun facts and entertainment and avoid talking about office politics, rumors or malicious gossip — or complaining about your position.
Go with the conversation's flow: Don't force the discussion back to work-related stuff once everyone else has moved on.
If you're an introvert and feel like you have nothing compelling to say, brainstorm some talking points before heading to the event. Of course, this works best if you know in advance that you're going to a happy hour with coworkers.
Research captivating conversation starters and write a list of your favorite ones. Practice your mingling skills by talking to multiple people through the night — get out of your comfort zone if only for a few hours. You may be surprised by the connections you can make when you try something new.
Choose the Right Venue
Office hours are over, but this is still a work party. If you're in charge of selecting the venue, you'll want to choose a place that provides plenty of fun while still having a professional tone. Be sure to inquire about the necessities, like parking, reservations, dietary considerations and more. You won't need the same kind of extensive planning you'd do for a more organized event, but it's helpful to keep these points in mind.
Busy restaurants will have more noise and activity, which is fine if your happy hour is super casual. However, if you're going for something formal, a place with a quiet and sophisticated atmosphere may be better.
Let Crust & Craft Handle Office Happy Hour
If you need the perfect venue for your next after-work happy hour, visit us at the Crust & Craft for local craft beer, wood fired pizzas and more. We offer a selection of mixed drinks, international wines and almost 40 different brews to satisfy every taste. Try one of our Happy Hour specials and pair a delicious appetizer with your ice-cold beverage. You'll be glad you visited Coastal Highway for your after-hours festivities.
