How to Host a Happy Hour

The light at the end of the tunnel, the cherry on top, one thing you can look forward to that helps get you through your week...Happy Hour. The camaraderie and decompression that comes from meeting up for one-buck beers, Buffalo wings and potato skins isn't exclusive to the TGI Friday's crowd. Invite the crew to your place after work for the happiest hours of the week then sit back and listen to the water cooler talk on Monday.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Seating, TV, ESPN, coasters
• Stock up the pantry: drink mixers, alcohol, chips, mixed nuts, beer
• Beer posters, neon signs, pool table
• Deli sandwiches, or sandwich supplies
• Darts
• Clear glass bowl, bottle caps, lotto tickets
• "Roxanne" single

1. Send out an e-Vite tempting everyone to come relax at your place. Include the basics but for time write, "when you get off work;" for location make up a name for your own bar like, "Cube Farm Tavern" or "5:00 Spot;" for attire write "no ties or heels allowed" and...get ready for the happiest hour!!!

2. Start stocking up on everything that does not have to be purchased fresh (like beer, liquor, mixers, gourmet potato chips, mixed nuts and crackers) a week before the party. A few days before the big day, stop by your favorite deli and place an order for the rest of your menu (see links below for menu ideas). You can also feature a Panini-making station where guests can assemble hot sandwiches. (See related eHow: How to set up a Panini-making station).

3. Relax. This is a happy party not a House Beautiful photo shoot. Should the urge come over you to purchase flowers, paint a wall, order new curtains, etc. call your sponsor-your bartender friend who will reassure you that nobody cares, they just want a cocktail, some snacks, TV and room to let off some steam. Here's the basic equipment list for what your house will need:
   * plenty of seating
   * the TV tuned to ESPN
   * coasters (preferable beer themed)
   * for extra credit hang beer posters and a neon sign, heck, rent a pool table if you're up for it and have the room!

4. Keep some games handy if you sense that the natives are restless and in need of some brainless occupational therapy. Fill a clear glass bowl with some bottle caps and leave it where guests can add to it throughout the night. Toward the end of the party ask everyone try to guess how many bottle caps are in the bowl. Winner takes home lottery tickets (don't be surprised if he/she does not show up for work on Monday and don't be bitter that you gave them the winning ticket - ha!) Darts are a happy hour staple. Velcro versions are out there if you think your crowd isn't responsible enough to play with pointy objects.

5. Play the famous single "Roxanne" by The Police and start a drinking game. Split everyone into two teams. Make sure everyone has a full drink. One team drinks when the name "Roxanne" is said, the other team drinks when they hear "red lights" or "red dress."

6. Make up party fouls/rules and if any of those are broken you know the drill: Drink Up! A few ideas: everyone has to drink with their left hand, no pointing, you have to address everyone by their complete first name, once initiated the last person to put up the moose sign (hands on either side of head with fingers out like moose antlers) drinks.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean out your fridge so al the beer and mixers will fit, then you don't have to deal with icing everything down. Tell guests to help themselves so you can concentrate on mingling and watching the action.

• "Stay Alive, Don't Drink and Drive." Designate a driver or have a cab company ready to shuttle everyone here and there.