The best thing about working for a company that is primarily composed of twentysomethings is that grabbing drinks after work is not only acceptable, but a regular occurrence.
It’s definitely something we look forward to as the work day comes to a close. Not to mention, team happy hours on the company card are always a celebrated after work activity that adds to employee morale.
(Disclaimer: “Happy hour” is traditionally referred to as a period of time in which a public venue offers discounts on alcohol and food items. In North Carolina, however, a public venue can’t offer discounts on alcohol from say, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Any specials that NC bars and restaurants offer have to go all day long. So when I say “happy hour” below, I’m simply referring to “after work drinks.”)
Last week, my boss asked if I would find somewhere for our team to go for happy hour.
While I love exploring the latest venues in the Queen City, I’m still learning how to apply my nightlife skills to diverse crowds, so I get a tad nervous when anyone asks for my advice on where they should go. And I was extra nervous when I found out I was coordinating happy hour for almost 30 people.
My first thought was, “Where’s the most convenient venue we can go that will be large enough to accommodate a large crowd and also offer decent drink specials?” Now that our office is located Uptown, the possibilities were seemingly endless, but as I went down the list of familiar spots, my options started wearing thin.
After all, who wants to have a semi-professional happy hour in the same place they were making out in, or arguing with bartender just a few short days ago?
I decided to play it safe and suggested we go to McCormick & Schmick’s, which was only a two-floor elevator ride away. They offer a wide variety of cocktails, wine and beer specials all day long, as well as a few discounted food options from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. starting at $3. (Note: food specials are only available at the bar and on the patio).
On Wednesdays, it can get really crowded at McCormick’s because they also offer $1 shrimp and oysters. I decided to call and make a reservation. The very next day, the sales manager called me back to confirm my reservation. Talk about fancy! She was very professional and patient despite my inexperience coordinating something quite like this. She explained our options and sent over a contract.
When the clock struck 5 o’clock on hump day, we had our very own private room (secured without a rental fee from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. and a commitment to a $350 tab minimum — not too shabby). Tucked in the back right corner of the upscale restaurant, I crossed my fingers that everything would go down without a hitch, especially since I didn’t check out the room before hand.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I entered the room and was welcomed by an intimate atmosphere sprinkled with cocktail tables, the perfect environment for sharing laughs over a few drinks with co-workers. A few minutes later, our team members were rolling in and waiting as patiently as possible for our first drinks of the night.
I glanced at the featured cocktails on the happy hour menu and decided on one with tequila — in spite of our rough history — and orange juice.
Surprisingly, it was refreshing and not heavily tainted with the robust flavor that I was familiar with when I’d had tequila shots in the past.
Before you knew it, most of us were two drinks in, shaking off the work day and letting go of the awkward discomfort that comes with chatting with new faces. Even though we didn’t fold an appetizer buffet into our contract, the staff was more than happy to accommodate the hungry tummies that convinced our boss to add a few food trays to the mix. Calamari, bacon-wrapped shrimp and quesadillas — talk about mouth-wateringly delicious!
Needless to say, happy hour for our teams was a humpday success. And my team, the real “original gangsters,” shut the shindig down as we were the last to walk out the door.
What are some of your favorite happy hour spots in the Q.C. and what do you like best about those spots? backtalk@clclt.com.
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