Virtual happy hour is becoming a very popular thing… very fast. Whether meeting up online after work with your co-workers for a virtual drink or jumping on Zoom to chat with your favorite friends, online face to face time is bringing joy, relief, and connection to people across the country who are practicing social distancing. If you’re looking to learn how to host an online happy hour, we’ve got you covered with hosting platforms, cocktail recipes, and tons of fun themes and games you can play!
Cocktails and Mocktails for Happy Hour
Before you sit down to video chat, let's be sure you have a drink in your hand! These are some of my favoirte cocktail (and mocktail) recipe ideas!
Caribbean Inspired Coconut Rum Cocktail
Indulge in this rum based chocolate coconut concoction and dazzle your virtual friends with this amazing chocolate-rimmed glass.
Strawberry Sangria
Sangria is fun to make and who doesn't need a pitcher of cheer at the ready? The lemonade and simple syrup makes this refreshing sangria a yummy sweet drink.
Orange Basil Infused Water
If you want a non-alcoholic drink in hand, spice up your boring glass of water with a fruit-infused refresher!
Games and Ideas for Virtual Happy Hour
Themes
How fun is it to hop online for happy hour with a theme already in place? Here are some fun themes to try:
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- Wear a Funny Hat
- Wear Team or School Spirit Shirts
- Pretend you’re at the Beach
- 90s grunge or 80s fun!
- Crazy Hair-dos
- Makeup Techniques – anyone wanna see me try to do a cat eye?
- Gone Stir Crazy – what does this look like in your house?
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Competitions
Try hosting a competition, perhaps the winner gets a gift card or a raincheck for a drink the next time you can get together! Make it like that traditional wedding shower game where you get points for each item you have in your purse. Instead of points for purse items though, how about awarding points for mismatched clothing items, number of days since you last washed your hair, etc.? FUN!!
Add to your surroundings or use my affiliate links to get competitive with a backdrop for your video meet-ups! Backdrops are inexpensive and can be totally fun – think beach scene, bar backdrop, colorful brick, or forest tunnel. What other fun backdrops can you set up? (Crap, I just went down the backdrop rabbit hole and I *might* have about 10 backdrops in my Amazon cart. hahaha)
Games
Scavenger hunts aren’t just for kids! Set the timer and give everyone one minute to go find and bring back a roll of toilet paper, the book they’re currently reading, their favorite cleaning tool/product.
There are tons of games you can play with one another while hanging out virtually. Typically, you’ll need two devices – ideally, you’ll set up your video meetup on a laptop, computer, or iPad and then have a handheld device like your phone to use to play the actual game. Check out Kahoot! for tons of games like brain teasers and trivia! Download the app to play Scattegories online as a group. Use a list generator app to play Pictionary over video.
Logging on for Virtual Happy Hour
The first step to a successful virtual happy hour is….getting online! Obviously! Here are some platforms to try out.
Zoom is a popular choice for work conference calls and virtual happy hour alike! Log in with an email address, through Facebook or Google. The host sets up the get together and messages everyone the password to join the call. Plus, the platform is FREE!
Google Duo is a great way to connect with up to 12 people at a time on any device as well.
Microsfot Teams has free video conferencing via Skype and also has paid plans. This method is especially popular amongst private sector businesses.
Another free way to connect with friends, Google Hangouts can be used on any type of device.
Comments & Reviews
Jo says
We are SO doing this!!! 💃🏻🍷
girlinspired says
Yes we are!! Can’t wait!!