How to Plan an Office Happy Hour

It's five o'clock; do you know where your coworkers are? They should be blowing off steam with you. Plan an office happy hour that people will be talking about around the water cooler for at least the next week to come. Make an event out of the happiest of hours: that time spent drinking after work, when you can unwind and complain about your boss all you want.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Email addresses for coworkers
• List of local restaurants or bars

How to Plan an Office Happy Hour

1. Consider your happy hour "staff." The mix of people you invite will determine every other aspect of your social event. Find a happy medium in a bar or restaurant that will appeal to the range of coworkers who will attend. Take an informal poll among them for ideas.
2. Compile a list of local restaurants. Find out if they already host a public happy hour or if they have private rooms where you can have your own party.
3. Decide how long and how often to party. Select a time right after work and find a happy hour to match. If this will be a casual once-a-week affair, make it brief enough so your coworkers will be able to show up the next morning for work. If it's an annual blow-out, find a happy hour that lasts three or four hours and has plenty of entertainment to fill the time.
4. Choose your venue. Make sure the place is big enough to accommodate your group. If it will cost you, find out if your company or your coworkers are willing to foot the bill.
5. Decide how to invite people. You can use email, company message boards, flyers or print invitations. If it's ultra casual, start mentioning it to colleagues and let the grapevine take over.

Tips & Warnings

• Find reviews of popular happy hours at your local newspaper's Web site or in your local entertainment guide.
• Start with a list of your own favorite restaurants or bars and call or check their Web sites to see if they host a happy hour.
• Promote responsible drinking--this is an office party, after all. Go all out and plan to provide a van and designated driver.

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