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player ready...When I moved to Chicago from Los Angeles two and a half years ago, I remember finding out that happy hour deals were illegal and asking a friend, “So, uh, what do you guys do after work on Fridays?” To my surprise, life went on and Fridays were still celebrated with copious amounts of alcohol. Now that happy hour is returning to Illinois, I dug into the deepest crevices of my memory to retrieve pro tips (from lots of good and bad experiences) on surviving any happy hour.
1. Don’t be the wasted one. We’ve all been there—you’re sipping your seventh $5 margarita when you realize you’re on the brink of a blackout. It’s not a big deal when you’re nearing the end of the night, but it can wreck your evening plans if you start at 4 p.m. Happy hour should be treated like a pregame (remember those?). Pace yourself if you want to make it out after the special ends.
2. Don’t spend the whole time talking about work. People go to happy hour to forget about work, so avoid dragging office gossip and gripes into the conversation. Save those chats for a select group of co-workers you trust. That being said, you should absolutely open up about your personal life, quirky hobbies, collection of pet photos and weekend plans.
3. Never, ever drive. I don’t care if you work in the suburbs and the only way you can make it to happy hour on time is to drive. Don’t do it. Ever. Park your car at home and hop in a cab, or, better yet, take the bus or train.
4. Always order food. Many happy hours include food deals, so don’t be shy about ordering a small plate for yourself or picking out an appetizer for the table to share. These specials typically start long before you can go home and grab dinner. See Rule No. 1 for consequences.
5. Respect your co-workers’ schedules. Not everyone can leave work at 4:30 p.m. on the dot. Don’t be annoying about it. If the tables turn and you’re the one who’s stuck on a conference call, meet up with everyone later. Trust me, they’ll still be there.
6. Invite people you don’t usually talk to. The greatest thing about happy hour is that you don’t need an excuse or a special occasion to plan one. That means you should absolutely invite the new guy.
7. Find a bar that works for everyone. Your idea of happy hour might involve $10 cocktails, a rooftop bar and skyline views, but that’s not for everyone. Toss out a few ideas, list the specials and let the group decide.