Where to Go for an Office Happy Hour
Do you want to treat your co-workers to an office happy hour after a particularly great — or particularly hard — week? Bonding around food and drinks in a relaxing setting outside the office is an easy way to get to know your co-workers while everyone de-stresses. Keep reading for tips, insights and happy hour ideas to make your plans special.
Get Your Co-Workers Talking
The best part of arranging a happy hour is that social interaction can occur outside of work. Make plans that will get everyone talking with the following tips:
Plan Some Conversation Starters
Statistically, some of your co-workers will be introverts, and even those who are more extroverted might need some direction before they open up. Everyone who comes to a happy hour is willing to have fun and be social, so plan for a few conversation starters you can go around the table asking. A few good examples of conversation starters include:
Identify yourself: If you could be something from a particular category, what would it be, and why? This one works with animals, fruits, pop tarts, characters and more. People can choose an identifier to describe their personality from just about anything.
Would you rather: Would you rather do something difficult and strange, or another thing even more difficult and strange? This is the kind of question that could go in many directions, resulting in amusing ethical debates.
Pick your favorite: This idea works with favorite vacation destinations, famous people you would like to meet or meals you enjoy the most. As people share their answers, others can find common ground by jumping in to say they would like to travel to the same place or meet that same celebrity.
Come up With a Fun Theme
Decorating for an office party that stays at the office is easier, but you can still have a creative theme for your happy hour without setting up the decor yourself. If you're planning for a holiday theme, invite everyone to wear sweaters or hats that fit. You can also do a color theme where everyone is invited to wear a specific hue. This concept will help your guests feel unified in a potentially unfamiliar place, but remember to bring something extra in the selected color in case the theme slips one of your co-workers' minds.
Plan a Game
Sometimes conversation flows naturally, and everyone can jump in to share their experiences. If you have a shy group, it helps to bring a card game as a backup plan. If it takes a while for your co-workers to open up, you can bring up the game and ask if they want to play a few rounds together.
How to Get the Food Right
Food can truly make or break a party. Plan ahead by investigating the menu, asking your guests about their allergies and collecting RSVPs. It's also a good idea to check out the venue's system for ordering food. Below are some more tips related to procuring the best food:
Keep It Casual
Craft beer and a casual, delicious menu will help everyone feel comfortable and be willing to pay their own way. Encourage your group to order what they feel like even if you will be buying some of the food to share. The best options for a happy hour arrangement include quick counter snacks, sandwiches and main course dishes for those who are feeling really hungry.
Make Sure You Have Enough
If you're paying for the meal tickets, make sure the cost of the food fits into your company's budget for the event. This point is why it can be beneficial to prepare a guest list and get an idea of what people want by surveying your happy hour employees, even if you can go to the venue without making a reservation. It can also help to upload a menu with pricing options, so everyone else can plan ahead based on their own budgets.
How to Select the Best Venue
The most important aspect of planning for an office happy hour is, of course, the location. Research popular local options before making a decision, and go to a venue featuring the following:
Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
Having access to either an indoor or outdoor space for your happy hour party is ideal. You can go inside if the weather refuses to cooperate with your plans, but you can spend time together in the open outdoors if this does turn out to be a feasible option.
The benefit of sitting in a happy hour outdoor space with your employees is that it can make people open up more easily. When you're outside, you naturally feel like you can talk more openly and loudly without disturbing other tables. It also tends to be less noisy outdoors.
A Great Drinks Menu
Find a venue with an extensive drinks menu that can accommodate your party's diverse tastes — or at least one with phenomenal craft beer. The menu at Thompson Island Brewing Company includes a beer cellar, wines, ciders and plenty of fare to go along with it. A good amount of variety is perfect for a group of any size.
Flights and Tastings
Participating in a promotional celebration or getting deals on samples of your favorite drinks can make a happy hour event stand out. Offer to serve your guests flights of the top drinks or see if you can get them to participate in a tasting session of the finest items on the menu.
Support Your Local Breweries
Your co-workers want to leave their worries behind when they spend an evening out, so while you're getting them out of the office, treat them to the Rehoboth Beach scene by visiting a brewery with a relaxing atmosphere. Breweries like Thompson Island Brewing Company shop for local ingredients, hire local talent and support local artists, providing you with an excellent experience while also enabling you to participate in the Rehoboth Beach community.
Immerse your co-workers in a shared culture by visiting such a brewery for a casual office happy hour.
Best Happy Hour Locations near Rehoboth Beach: Thompson Island Brewing Company
Are you looking for a happy hour brewery with drinks, food and events to impress your co-workers? The exceptionally trained staff at Thompson Island Brewing Company are ready to serve your favorites while you enjoy the fun atmosphere. Our brewmaster and chefs provide patrons with high-quality food and beverages in a comfortable setting. Contact us online or call us to inquire about special brewery events or learn more about the establishment.