Oohh... an Online Office Happy Hour...

June 10, 2020 10:10 AM

I have been asked to host an hour long online happy hour type event, for around 16 coworkers. The invite list is mixed from neighboring teams that don't work together often, so we don't already have established connections. What are some ideas so that this will be fun, and a good use of everyone's time?
posted by whisk(e)y neat to Work & Money (11 answers total)

Best answer: Most of these have been boring chitchats, however

I highly recommend you find a way to stream jackbox games. It would cost a few bucks, but it's a bundle of fun, and it's basically built for this situation. Most games are only 8 at a time, and that's ok. Party Pack 3 is probably the best, because it has quiplash, which is great.

Drawful is free and you could try that as well. Just invite a computer that can run Steam to your chat.
posted by bbqturtle at 10:34 AM on June 10, 2020 [4 favorites]

Best answer: Any chance you can join an AirBnb Online Experience, that way there is a host for the event and it's interactive. A few weeks ago, I was on a fantastic secrets of sangria making experience, presented by drag-queens in Lisbon and an office group participated for happy hour. They could have purchased the whole session, but didn't. It is a fun interactive event and no one is left having to work hard to ensure others enjoyment.
PS We were given a list of ingredients before the event and all made our drinks as the experience unfolded. Given the pandemic, it was interesting to see what people substituted for the ingredients, one gal had White Claw instead of orange liqueur, others had random fruit. The hosts easily adjusted the recipe and poked fun at some of the substitutions.
posted by jennstra at 10:54 AM on June 10, 2020 [8 favorites]

Best answer: Tell anyone with pets to bring them to the party to show off to the camera.
posted by pinochiette at 11:03 AM on June 10, 2020 [11 favorites]

ha...just came in to suggest 'pet party' lol.
posted by sexyrobot at 11:21 AM on June 10, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Show and Tell was a big hit - show something that from "your history" was the prompt. No software required.

We also have a "no work talk" rule for the company cocktail chat.

Speaking of cocktail - try to say cocktail or mock-tail or some such just in case anyone is a non-alcohol drinker - and to set the tone for other participants so it doesn't devolve into lots of "wine-o-clock" conversation without being aware.

I like it when each person does their bit then calls on the next - rather than one person having to do host thing and getting forced to MC the chat and cut things off.
posted by sol at 12:38 PM on June 10, 2020 [2 favorites]

What worked best for the ones we did was when using Zoom to spend part of the time in randomly assigned breakout rooms with 4-5 people so you'd have a chance to actually talk with some people vs. being all in the same room the whole time.
posted by kbuxton at 1:59 PM on June 10, 2020 [3 favorites]

Seconding breakout rooms, randomly assigned, and reshuffled after 15 minutes.
posted by heatherlogan at 3:09 PM on June 10, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: A baby photo quiz went down well with my bunch of strangers.
posted by teststrip at 11:46 PM on June 10, 2020 [1 favorite]

Either breakout rooms, or have an speaking agenda and stick to it. Otherwise the two loudest people will dominate the whole thin, like a kitchen party that you can't escape.
posted by benzenedream at 12:50 AM on June 11, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Bingo and beers always goes well for us.
posted by McNulty at 3:00 AM on June 11, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I haven't had time to join, but a group at my office plays Skribbl.
posted by radioamy at 6:38 PM on June 11, 2020