{"id":247199,"date":"2022-04-04T14:02:04","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T14:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teambuildinghub.com\/?page_id=247199"},"modified":"2024-05-20T21:54:35","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T21:54:35","slug":"happy-hour","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/teambuildinghub.com\/team-building\/virtual\/activities-games\/happy-hour\/","title":{"rendered":"24 Themes & Games for Team Virtual Happy Hour"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u200b\u200bA Harvard Business Review study<\/a> suggests that creating virtual opportunities for \u200bremote \u200bcoworkers to gather socially is \u200bcritical to maintaining connections. <\/strong>Don\u2019t let remote work interfere with coworker bonds \u2013 get on Zoom and grab a drink! Hosting a virtual happy hour is the perfect way for employees to relax and spend an enjoyable time together as a team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, we cover the essentials of hosting and share fun virtual happy hour ideas so your team\u2019s time together is more about bonding and less about boozing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table of Contents<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Why Schedule a Virtual Team Happy Hour?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do Virtual Happy Hours Work?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Plan a Virtual Happy Hour<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Host a Virtual Happy Hour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Make Virtual Happy Hours Interesting and Fun (with themes!)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Virtual Games to Play on Zoom Happy Hour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Schedule a Virtual Team Happy Hour?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to one study<\/a>, virtual team building happy hours significantly increase the chances that people will feel good and bond with each other. Though team members see each other in virtual business meetings, they are not experiencing the kinds of casual interactions that lead to strong team bonds and high company morale. Bringing your crew together in a non-work setting, like a virtual happy hour, builds camaraderie to fulfill that necessary component of a thriving team.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While not quite the same as clinking glasses at the end of a successful team project, virtual happy hours make the most important aspects of interpersonal relationships possible. Coworkers have an opportunity to discover details about each other that they wouldn\u2019t have at an in-person event. For example, most people attending a virtual happy hour are at home and dressed casually, not in work garb. Remote workers have a chance to show off their space and introduce their families and pets!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual happy hours don\u2019t have to be just a time to chat. Planning virtual happy hour games with coworkers ensures that the team socializes as a whole and that those who might be a bit shy at an in-person happy hour are still included in the fun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hosting a virtual happy hour but want to gather smaller groups of nearby teammates in the same places? Book unique venues on Peerspaces <\/a>so team members living in the same cities can join the virtual happy hours in smaller groups\u2014together! Choose from hidden rooftops to sun-drenched lofts, beautiful backyards to funky studios, and delight your team by changing their everyday scenery and giving them some facetime with colleagues!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Do Virtual Happy Hours Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The logistics of running a virtual happy hour are the same as a virtual meeting. You\u2019ll need to decide on a time, create a guest list, send invites, and select a video conferencing platform. The key difference between a virtual meeting and a virtual happy hour is that there isn\u2019t a set agenda to keep people focused. You can, however, plan an activity or play a game to keep your guests engaged. You can find virtual happy hour games and activities here, but first, here are the basics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Plan a Virtual Happy Hour<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The logistics of running a virtual happy hour are the same as a virtual meeting. You\u2019ll need to decide on a time, create a guest list, send invites, and select a video conferencing platform. The key difference between a virtual meeting and a virtual happy hour is that there isn\u2019t a set agenda to keep people focused. You can, however, plan an activity or play a game to keep your guests engaged. You can find virtual happy hour games and activities here, but first, here are the basics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Create a Guest List<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

First, you will want to consider who will be attending. Is this a company-wide event with lots of employees? Will it be departmental or for a small team? All the other decisions you make hinge on the size of the group as the needs of large groups are different from small to medium-sized groups. For your first virtual happy hour, you may want to start small \u2013 try a team or department-based gathering and grow in size from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Pick a Date and Time<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know who\u2019s been invited, think about times that will work best for them. While Fridays at 5 pm have traditionally been set aside for happy hour, be flexible. The simplest way to pick a time and date is to poll everyone! Send an email with a few options and tally up the responses. Voila! You\u2019ve got your date set!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Decide What To Do During Your Virtual Happy Hour<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the part of hosting a virtual happy hour that requires the most thought. You can certainly have everyone get on a Zoom call with a drink in their hand and start schmoozing. This format works for teams that are well-acquainted and need some casual time together to chat and catch up. But if your group has some members who stand on the sideline or feel awkward in virtual social gatherings, find a format to ensure that no one feels left out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are all sorts of activities your group can enjoy. From virtual beer tasting and trivia to theme parties and virtual scavenger hunts, the event can be whatever kind of bonding experience you\u2019d like!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Send Out Invitations<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know the time and your activity, skip the basic email and send a playful invite instead! You can find free pre-designed virtual happy hour invitations at online sites like Evite<\/a> or Paperless Post<\/a>. Be sure to keep track of RSVPs! That way you\u2019ll have all the essential materials for each team member. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In your invite, let guests know what to expect at the virtual happy hour. If you decide to play a group game or activity, include information about any items (if any) guests will need to play. If you are going with a theme, be as specific as possible so guests know how to dress. A fun touch to add to your invitation is a drink recipe. Hosting a Hawaiian night? Include recipes for Hawaiian cocktails<\/a> like Mai-tais! You can find drink recipes<\/a> for every occasion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Set Up a Virtual Happy Hour?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just as you would for a virtual meeting or event,  choose the platform your team likes best, like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts, or Skype. Brush up on your Complete Guide to Zoom<\/a> knowledge (or whichever platform you choose) so you know the ins and outs of the software ahead of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget to include a link to the video meeting call in your invitation. You don\u2019t want guests, especially slightly tipsy ones, having tech issues!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Host a Virtual Happy Hour<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A good host is a well-prepared host. At this point in the planning, you have all the ingredients you need to throw a smashing virtual happy hour. When guests start \u2018arriving\u2019 by popping up on the screen, welcome them. If any guests haven\u2019t met, make introductions. Keep an eye on quiet guests. Not everyone feels as comfortable with virtual socializing as they are with in-person interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do not plan a special activity for your virtual happy hour, be sure to keep guests engaged in conversation. Be prepared with topics to discuss, like favorite restaurants, foods, books, and movies. You can find a whole list of ice breaker questions<\/a> here. Avoid shop talk! If you want to take some of the pressure off yourself, plan an activity or game like one of those we go over below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How To Make Virtual Happy Hours Interesting and Fun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To give your virtual happy hour a little something extra, consider having a theme like one of the 10 below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Cocktail Night<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Turn happy hour into something special by drinking signature cocktails that everyone makes at home. Don\u2019t forget a mocktail option as well. After everyone has their drink in hand, play drinking games or reminisce about each person\u2019s most memorable night out. Bonus points for those who can teach the team their special drink recipe. Take mixology night to the next level and feature a virtual cocktail-making class<\/a> as part of your virtual happy hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Virtual Wine Tasting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Turn your happy hour into an upscale virtual wine tasting! You can send virtual wine tasting kits to attendees in advance or you can partner with a wine tasting company. Some online hosted options for wine tastings include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n