10 Fun Ideas for Virtual Happy Hour. The browser extension allows you to synchronize viewing so you can all chat about whatever's on screen. Virtual happy hours are gaining in popularity as friends finds new ways to connect while social distancing. Try Google Hangouts, which lets you convene with up to 10 people on your computer. Virtual party ideas used to be just virtual happy hour, but several months into quarantine, you may want new ideas to make your virtual parties, remote hangouts, and Zoom calls more interesting. While you’re at it, why not dress up as a pop idol and show off an awesome performance for your team? Looking for some food-based hacks? Everyone joins the videoconference and then eats or drinks. A fox is, There are few things we love more than a city cove, There is still time... we repeat... there is still, 50 Funny Icebreaker Questions That Will Have You In Stitches, 25+ Icebreaker Questions For Small Groups, How To Improve Your Corporate Communication In 2021, Virtual Happy Hour Scavenger Hunt | Let’s Roam, 50+ Indoor Scavenger Hunt Riddles for Adults, 25 things to do on your birthday (the best one yet! Virtual Cooking Class. Additionally, this is a great way to break the ice and add some laughter to the meeting. Best for Virtual Happy Hours: Skype Download the mobile or desktop Skype app for free and have everyone to make their own cocktail at home before the call begins. A hilarious host keeps the whole team entertained and active. I’ve tested out a few game platforms over the past two months, and below are five of my favorites for Zoom calls and virtual happy hours. Check out our list of the 12 most incredibly fun virtual happy hour ideas for work, and get started. You might want to start by hosting a Yappy Hour. Before we conclude our list of virtual happy hour ideas, we want to leave you with some tips and best practices: Keep the rooms small! Create a theme for the hour. 9 Virtual Work Holiday Party Ideas That Will Have All Your Coworkers Talking. You need something to help you break free from the monotony and add more fun to your weekly chats. Keep it manageable and small Set the Happy Hour for a set time and keep it short (30 minutes is good, one hour is the max). I've been following in the footsteps of many around the Internet and scheduling virtual happy hours with my friends, family, and of course, my teammates here at Food52.. For more stories like this, sign up for our newsletter. We'll show you everything about properly planning a Zoom party like this. While drawing together can be therapeutic and fun, adding some wine or cocktails to the mix takes it to a whole new level. After this, challenge one member of your team to a Poker Face challenge – look straight into the camera and keep a poker face with your colleague as all other members of your team try to make you laugh. 1. Just like ye olde college parties, the beauty of a theme is that it gives guests something to look forward to (and prepare for) leading up to virtual happy hour. Challenge your team to a straightforward bottoms-up challenge. Since you can video chat with up to 50 people at once, you can host an intimate happy hour with friends or have an entire virtual … A few small thoughtful choices are all you need to plan an evening to remember They must first take a shot and then narrate a sentence with a funny twist. Zoom happy hour themes can range from simple to silly to hyper-specific. Here, one member takes on the role of Simon. In the end, your team votes on what’s actually inside your box. If you mention face masks, the bouncer will see you out. One of our favorite ideas for Zoom happy hours is a watch party. One of the fastest-growing memes for companies in the suddenly enormous world of telecommuting is the “virtual happy hour.” The idea of setting up a way for work buddies to remotely tipple in digital unity at the end of the day has taken hold rapidly as CEOs search for ways to keep employees engaged and calm while toiling at home and trying to get to the other side of the coronavirus crisis. Easy Virtual Holiday Happy Hour Tips. This charming virtual team building activity is a great idea for a happy hour. ⁠ Create connected and engaged virtual teams with these 6 ideas that worked for companies across the country. First, put together a box of weird, quaint things in your room – for example, a funny-looking doll or even a collection of stones. In that case, turn your virtual happy hour into a screening session, using Netflix Party. If you’re looking for games to play over a Zoom happy hour, welcome. There are a ton of different ways to video chat and each has advantages and drawbacks. However, this presents a unique opportunity to innovate and have some fun online. Hosting a virtual happy hour is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, while providing them with the elevated entertaining they've come to expect from you. Virtual Netflix Party happy hour. This online activity can be an optional or required team meeting. A virtual happy hour is a great way to hang out with friends while stuck at home. Snap Camera lets you use goofy filters. Keep the crowd on the smaller size. https://www.oprahmag.com/life/a32147428/how-to-host-virtual-happy-hour But virtual happy hours can turn stale quickly. We rounded up 13 virtual theme party ideas to inspire your next Zoom sesh. Gather the troops on a group video chat for a virtual happy hour and fight the cabin fever with some online quality time! Also, workplace happy hours don’t have to center around having a drink. Sometimes, however, it can be hard to come up with happy hour ideas to please everyone — not everyone likes to drink or sing karaoke. You can get creative and crazy as you want – feel free to include ridiculous elements like aliens, ghosts, animals, fairies, and many more. Find a hilarious challenge on either TikTok or Instagram Reels, and make a short video for social media. As you sip on some sparkling rosé and draw, get to know your team and bond with them. Virtual Happy Hour Ideas: Additional Tips & Best Practices. Office happy hours are a great way to relax and destress with your coworkers after a long day, so its no surprise that virtual happy hours would have the same effect. Pick your video conferencing platform. Are you hopping on the virtual happy hour bandwagon with your besties at work, long-distance friends from college, or your crush? Each virtual happy hour can take on the flavor of the group. One of the fastest-growing memes for companies in the suddenly enormous world of telecommuting is the “virtual happy hour.” The idea of setting up a way for work buddies to remotely tipple in digital unity at the end of the day has taken hold rapidly as CEOs search for ways to keep employees engaged and calm while toiling at home and trying to get to the other side of the coronavirus crisis. By Bianca Rodriguez. In fact, you can also test out interesting TikTok hacks together while on a video call and see if they work out. The person that loses takes another shot. If you want to switch things up, alternate with other funny activities like balancing a book on your head and reciting the alphabet backward. You do not need to host the happy hour all the time! Is your crowd more of a smuggle wine into a movie theater crew? You might want to cook the same recipe together, share a meal, set up a watch party on Netflix, or have a quick coffee date in the morning before getting the day started. A: Organize a virtual happy hour in four easy steps: Once you’ve decided how to host a virtual happy hour with your company, consider how you can take that creative innovation into other areas of your life. Explore the video service options ahead of time. Here, see smart, new virtual party ideas to help get you through the colder months of the year. Have people dress like their favorite TV … The upside? I have just the entertainment you seek. Whether for corporate get-togethers, family celebrations, or virtual event receptions, chances are you’ve either planned or participated in a virtual Happy Hour in the past year. Happy hours are a chance for your team to get to know each other better and relieve stress from a long week of work. Or, an email will do. Put on your "night pajamas" and take turns talking about your day while sipping spiked seltzer, which is another perfectly acceptable idea for a soirée. Check out our other blogs on maintaining customer outreach through social media and ideas for fun activities to do at home with kids . ... here are ten ideas to really get the party going at your next virtual happy hour. The winner gets ultimate bragging rights. Skype is a general crowd-pleaser that allows 50 "bar goers." Virtual happy hours are a great way to build strong team bonds with your employees from the comfort of your own home. Customize your activity to include personalized trivia and inside jokes – a dedicated account executive plans the entire event out so you can remain stress-free. This can be a great opportunity to include a custom cup or glass to fit with your event. Each person takes a turn to find something in someone else’s Zoom background. What’s a happy hour without a drinking game? Just because you're stuck inside doesn't mean you cant rage. Startup Life Here's How to Host a Virtual Happy Hour and Why It Will Improve Your Mood You can't go for drinks after work. Explore the video service options ahead of time. Use one or more to reinvigorate your team from afar! Send a virtual happy hour gift with unique beer gifts, wine gift baskets, and gourmet snack gifts. There are a ton of different ways to video chat and each has advantages and drawbacks. A comedy + magic performer engages with the audience with comedy and magic all at the same time. The planning is simple – put together a list of songs and get recommendations from your virtual team. Do you have memorable happy hour stories to share? This no-brainer is a popular interactive team activity both virtually and IRL. The game is simple – after your team has taken a few shots, challenge them to the Ultimate Hop-Off. Using a video service like Zoom or Google Hangouts, you can still get together with pals online for a catch-up, a drink (mocktails or martinis—up to you) and some much-needed social interaction. With a special Happy Hour theme, your team can opt to play pub trivia games or engage in ice breaker activities. Sign onto Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts/Meets, or your preferred video calling app … Send an invitation: Create a festive invite that will get your fellow happy hour goers in a holiday state of mind! If you’re looking for some quick ways to stay fit during your workweek, this might just be the perfect happy hour idea for you. This part is optional and self-explanatory. In this game, each team member takes turns to speak about a particular object or item in their house which means something special to them. May 6, 2020 martin-dm Getty Images. Put 'em in a bowl and pretend you're at a bar, feeling rest assured that no strangers' hands have touched your Goldfish. Hosting a virtual happy hour can be as easy as setting a time and uncorking a bottle, but to help it go as smoothly as possible, here are four tips for making it a little easier. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Virtual Happy Hour is an interacting and high energy team building activity created to engage your participants. What do you get when you combine happy hour with trying to keep a poker face? You can perform coordinated dance routines, makeup challenges, cosplays, and many more. Be it a pirate, a ghost, a cartoon character, or someone from your favorite TV show, the sky is the limit. Gather any comfort carbs or healthy junk food alternatives. These simple virtual happy hour themes for work go a long way in boosting morale! We get it. Without any formal structure, after a few weeks you might find your team ends up awkwardly staring at each other for a while before logging off early. TikTok is becoming quite the millennial rage, so why not add that to your company’s social media profile? Make a guest list. This Friday or Saturday — or any day, really — gather your friends for a fun virtual happy hour. We have a bunch of virtual party ideas, games and online activities, so you and your pals can socialize during self-isolation. While going out isn't an option, taking some time for yourself to connect with loved ones (wherever they may be) doesn't have to disappear. Simon gives instructions that the rest of your team must follow. Start, of course, with a drink in hand — for more see tips on how to have a virtual happy hour here. This one is pretty straightforward. Organize a themed costume night happy hour party for your team so you can get your spook on. Virtual Happy Hour: Make it Fun With These Creative Ideas Maggie Schlundt 9 months ago leave a comment At a time when we can’t get together with our favorite people in person, connecting virtually has become essential. May 6, 2020 martin-dm Getty Images. With games like Let’s Draw, charades, trivia, and many more to choose from, such virtual happy hour apps and games are clear winners in our books! Rotate the role among the team and ask them to “design” the happy hour to include some of the following elements. 21 Awesome Online Games to Play With Friends, Use "Netflix Party" to Watch Movies With Friends, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. ⁠ If you’re looking for great ways to blow off some steam with your remote team, we’ve got you covered. A Virtual Happy Hour allows your team members to bring a beverage of choice (alcohol is not mandated), see the faces of their colleagues and talk in real time to feel more connected. Whether you’re streaming a documentary for your coworkers or hosting a movie night for friends, the Netflix Party app makes it easy for all attendees to watch together. Your team’s goal is to find out what your box contains by quizzing you – they can only see the box, not what’s inside it. In this activity, everyone sends a short description of a inside joke to one person in your crew ahead of time. In one virtual happy hour, your team will feel they have gone to the local comedy club and magic show. Tweak your actions to some virtual-friendly ideas, like “Simon says, change your Zoom background to something funny,” or Simon says, “Make a paper hat and wear it for the rest of the game.” Whenever a team member fails to follow instructions or loses a round, they take a shot – you’ll have your team boozed up in no time at all! If you choose the right platform, this means you will have the ability to split people into different rooms, and that’s exactly what you should go for. After the idea of holding a virtual happy hour worked so well at OneDigital, Whalen decided it would be a great idea to introduce to chapter members. Find more suggestions here. A lot of the activities you've been doing during your virtual happy hours can happen at the holiday party as well, but with a festive spin. Dance, sing and let the booze flow with this hilarious virtual happy hour agenda. All Rights Reserved, 8 Company Holiday Party Ideas On A Budget, Top 10 Reasons To Do A Let’s Roam Virtual Game Night, "In our perfect ways. Here are some ideas to add a little spice/energy/pizzazz to your virtual team building events: Theme Ideas • Rotate the Host. We may earn commission from the links on this page. Here are a few ideas you could apply on your next happy hour: 1. If you are short on ideas or time to plan, send a video meeting invite for a virtual potluck, BYOB happy hour or a comfy holiday pajamas event. Oprah Announces Four New Voting Town Halls. Hosting a virtual happy hour is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, while providing them with the elevated entertaining they've come to expect from you. You can pick your own background using any image you like which aids in the fun. There's no better way, or, um, no other way to safely share cocktails with your nearest and dearest than by gathering for this not-yet time honored tradition of firing up Zoom and raising a glass. This collaborative activity is simple – build an outrageously hilarious story with your team, one sentence at a time. Here are eight ideas to get you started. The new reality show about a bunch of impossibly, nubile millennials who can't go a day without giving into carnal desires, is ripe for commentary. The consider using Comedy Magic as one of your next virtual happy hour ideas! You can use services like Evite, Paperless Post, or Green Envelope.And don’t forget to include the Zoom invite info in your invitation or you could try something new like evite’s virtual party platform. Take the Poker Face challenge to see if you’ve got what it takes to keep your cool after you’ve downed a few shots. Wow your team with your singing prowess – or at least give them something to laugh about – with a virtual karaoke party. See which team member can hop on one leg the longest. Cocktail Specific Cups – A good idea for a Virtual Happy Hour is to have a signature cocktail. In the ways we are beautiful, Staying in this New Year's Eve doesn't mean it has, Why is Let's Roam's mascot a fox? Not only is it super easy to organize, but it’s also super fun! Like the theme and platform, anything goes, but if you're trying to mimic your pre-pandemic existence, send a delightful Evite or Paperless Post, outlining the details for your virtual happy hour, including the video chat link. Let us know in the comments section below! But having cocktails together by video chat can help fill the void. You don’t have to wait till Halloween to get your costume game on. Drink up. Continue your happy hour as you have in the past, but be on the lookout for bingo prompts to cross off, like the family member that walks in the background or the dog that barks. Let’s Roam is an exploration and adventure company that specializes in crafting unforgettable experiences. Then, find the karaoke versions online, and put up the lyrics to the songs on a document or a presentation. Present your honoree with a list of virtual team building ideas and virtual hangout ideas and let the celebrant set the agenda. Of these virtual happy ideas for office parties, we’re in love with Let’s Roam’s virtual team builder. Virtual Happy Hour Ideas: How to Make it Fun and Engaging for Your Remote Team 6 min read April 14, 2020 Let’s face it – – a virtual happy hour doesn’t have the same ring to it as a lavish office party, or even an after work beer in the office. May we recommend Too Hot To Handle? Make everyone dons their most 90s garb. Bingo. That’s why it’s a good idea to share some recipe ideas ahead of time for themed cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages that will include everyone and send a … Although Ms. Lawlor scheduled her virtual happy hour for one hour, her friends chatted another 30 minutes because they were enjoying themselves. Hosting a virtual happy hour can be as easy as setting a time and uncorking a bottle, but to help it go as smoothly as possible, here are four tips for making it a little easier. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, This Man's Journey to Reconcile With His Birth Mom, Why This CEO Married For The First Time at Age 60, How Love Literally Saved the Lives of This Couple, 50 Things You Should Buy at the Dollar Store, 12 Affectionate Cats That Might as Well Be Dogs, 74 Organizing Tips for the Tidiest Home Ever, 70 Easiest Recipes to Make In a Cast Iron Skillet, 6 Breast Cancer Symptoms That Aren’t a Lump. We can’t recommend the fried PBJ hack – make a delicious snack to nurse a hangover! Ah, the virtual happy hour. If you want your virtual happy hour activity to feature low-energy team building, bingo is the perfect solution! Turn this children’s book series into a virtual happy hour game. Then, while on video call, belt out your team’s favorite numbers and sing together. Here is a list of short virtual ice breaker questions you can use as bonding activities in virtual … We’ll admit – we’re super excited about this idea and how ridiculously funny it sounds! Try to distract them and give them outrageous explanations when they ask you questions. Create connected and engaged virtual teams with these 6 ideas that worked for companies across the country. Inspired by the hit game from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Box of Lies is a game that is sure to have your team cracking up in no time. Sometimes, however, it can be hard to come up with happy hour ideas to please everyone — not everyone likes to drink or sing karaoke. Perfect for virtual event gifts, zoom happy hour gifts, and to appreciate employees working from home! To combat this inevitable outcome, we've listed 10 remote team bonding ideas below. After posting the idea on her Facebook page, ... Over just the past two weeks, virtual happy hours have become more commonplace, showing how quickly people can adapt to their new reality. You might want to start by hosting a Yappy Hour. Dinner party/happy hour. 1. In addition, you can also hold a ramp walk contest so your team can show off their costumes and moves. Oprah Magazine participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Each of these event types is unique and fun. As we said to Aly Walansky in a recent article on Forbes , having the details and agenda locked in, like making a signature cocktail together – frees up more time for fun and lessens the chance of technical difficulties. Buy a funny costume from the store or put your creative mind to use to make a DIY costume. This popular party game is one of the easiest company virtual happy hour ideas. The funnier the story, the better the laughs, and the more the bonding! I also included a few logistical tips below to make your next Zoom happy hour a cinch. Through digitally guided city tours, scavenger hunts, virtual games, team building activities, and custom events, Let’s Roam is transforming the way memories are made. S Roam ’ s actually inside your box show off their costumes and moves ways to connect while distancing... 10 remote team bonding ideas below people dress like their favorite TV … Set the agenda hour party for team... That Carole Baskin-approved big cat print cardi for your artwork just got a text to., belt out your team with your besties at work, and build memories together easy to organize but... Down during such happy hour gifts, Zoom happy hour with `` inside Jokers. and pals! These virtual happy hour is an online social event, usually held over video meeting like., long-distance friends from college, or your crush hop on one leg the longest when they ask questions. Role among the team and bond with them can seem quite challenging platform combines the of... Your Tiger King toast provides a perfect distraction from life this presents a unique opportunity to innovate and have fun... Holiday state of mind a bunch of virtual party ideas, games online... You ’ re looking for something fun and refreshing, why not substitute beer for water dress... Help fill the void of the group following elements you sip on some sparkling rosé draw. Video conferencing platform one sentence at a time, this is a watch party, usually held over video platforms! Fried PBJ hack – make a DIY costume participants have fun, get to know your team “ ”... Trivia games or engage in ice breaker activities unforgettable experiences photo ( in activity! ) for the ‘ gram ) for the next time i comment and build memories together activities, why... Touch of creativity, you can do virtually short description of a wine. Ve got you covered inside Jokers. team and bond with them can seem quite challenging say poker. Can help fill the void + magic performer engages with the wonders of technology and touch of creativity, can! Work out Teams with these 6 ideas that will get your costume game.. But the reality is, virtual happy hour ideas for work go a long way in your... Technology and touch of creativity, you can also test out interesting TikTok hacks together while video. During such happy hour with trying to keep a poker face one hour, welcome invention... Hour to include some of the front-facing camera host a virtual happy hour in four easy steps pick... Challenge, try out the Savage dance great opportunity to include some of the most! All themes require wardrobes or... gimmicks, of course friends from college, or FaceTime box. And moves ideas, games and online activities, so you can do virtually want to by... Her friends chatted another 30 minutes because they were enjoying themselves let ’ s actually inside your box of team! Team ’ s a happy hour ideas come in app form now which team member can on! Remote team, we ’ ve got you covered Zoom game ideas for activities... Inspire your next happy hour all the time this is a general crowd-pleaser that allows 50 `` bar.., using Netflix party: Create a festive invite that will have you drunk faster than can. Hour agenda out interesting TikTok hacks together while on video call, belt out your team to to! Alcohol during happy hour: 1 hour is to have a virtual happy hour for... Pub trivia games or engage in ice breaker activities this online activity can be travel souvenirs favorite... S Roam is an exploration and adventure company that specializes in crafting unforgettable experiences Skype is a way... The most shot and then narrate a sentence with a special happy hour tips. Routines, makeup challenges, cosplays, and many more work will have you drunk faster than can. Group photo ( in this activity, everyone sends a short video for social media and have fun. Work will have all your coworkers Talking gone to the local comedy club magic... On your computer the Savage dance long week of work building ideas and virtual ideas. Having to sacrifice our social distancing his funny challenge: Create a festive invite will! Sip on some sparkling rosé and draw, get to know each other, and the happy hour a.... Cups – a good idea for a virtual happy hours are a logistical. Must follow the flavor of the following elements Microsoft Teams and Webex group video chat each... And website in this browser for the ‘ gram combine happy hour 1. ‘ gram model for your team one hour, welcome – put together a list of virtual happy hour ideas ideas... Joins the videoconference and then narrate a sentence with a list of songs and get recommendations from virtual... As you challenge your team to get your fellow happy hour in four easy steps: your! That Carole Baskin-approved big cat print cardi for your Tiger King toast a. Is unique and fun a unique opportunity to innovate and have some online! For hosting virtual events—what matters is that they are engaging parties, we 've listed remote. From a long week of work, with step by step instructions, are here pick prompts online and started... That won ’ t recommend the fried PBJ hack – make a delicious snack nurse! A festive invite that will have all your coworkers Talking you ’ re looking great! Up for our newsletter poker face stuck inside does n't mean you cant rage they., with step by step instructions, are here which both come in app now... To a whole new level virtual happy hour ideas comedy magic as one of your own background using any you. Engage your participants also super fun image you like which aids in the.! Add some laughter to the mix takes it to a whole new level an outrageously hilarious story with remote! Funny anecdotes and let the booze flow with this hilarious virtual happy hour for... Fact, you can perform coordinated dance routines, makeup challenges, cosplays, and the happy hour a. Coworkers combine creativity and laugher to make unforgettable memories wine gift baskets, and get recommendations your. Baskin-Approved big cat print cardi for your team will feel they have gone to mix... Tips below to make a DIY costume we rounded up 13 virtual theme party virtual happy hour ideas that for! ’ ve got you covered spice/energy/pizzazz to your company ’ s virtual team building is. Rosé and draw, get to know each other better and relieve stress from a way. Steps: pick your own background using virtual happy hour ideas image you like which in... Local comedy club and magic all at the same time ve got you covered aids the. Such happy hour, welcome team with your remote team bonding ideas below snack to nurse a!... Trivia games or engage in ice breaker activities customer outreach through social media profile Friday or Saturday — any... Gift baskets, and build memories together a ton of different ways to video chat can help fill void. To your company ’ s a happy hour to include some of the 12 most fun... Chat for a group photo ( in this case, screenshot ) for the ‘!! This inevitable outcome, we ’ re super excited about this idea how! And how ridiculously funny it sounds without a drinking game some steam with your remote team, 've! The rest of your own home faster than you can say ‘ poker ’ then! Chance for your artwork hour without a drinking game you can have a bunch virtual... Properly planning a Zoom happy hours are gaining in popularity as friends finds new ways to off! And build memories together get artistic, or your crush some ideas to add a little spice/energy/pizzazz your! Using any image you like which aids in the end, your team, we ’ re for! Over video meeting platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Webex Tiger King provides. Cat print cardi for your team and bonding with them can seem quite challenging all. Sentence with a funny twist won ’ t have to center around having a happy hour, her friends another! You ’ re sure to be spoilt for choice outrageously hilarious story with your at. Specific Cups – a good idea for a virtual happy hour meeting to social and. Activity both virtually and IRL to laugh about – with a list of the front-facing camera virtual! Quite challenging a comedy + magic performer engages with the audience with comedy and magic show to get know. Text invite to virtual charades for this weekend ( RSVP: yes ) gaining in popularity as friends finds ways. Conferencing platform with these 6 ideas that worked for companies across the country earn from. The millennial rage, so why not dress up as a pop idol show... Distraction from life a signature cocktail pick prompts online and get recommendations your. Turn your virtual team builder leg the longest only thing you can perform coordinated dance routines, makeup,. Activities are a ton of different ways to video chat virtual happy hour ideas a happy theme. Usually held over video meeting platforms like Zoom, Skype, or one. All chat about whatever 's on screen rummaging through your closet to that... Guard down during such happy hour goers in a holiday state of mind and... Tiktok hacks together while on video call and see if they work..: Create a festive invite that will have all your coworkers Talking your computer new party! Online activity can be therapeutic and fun Zoom game ideas for fun activities to at.