Hosting Your Own Virtual Happy Hour
By now, you probably have been invited to a virtual HappyHour. A virtual Happy Hour is a great way to have drinks with your friends and see each other without being in the same space. This is a great way to past the time during our hibernation period. You do not feel so isolated from one another and bring a human connection to your day. These gatherings are not limited to friends hanging out. Some vineyards are hosting wine tastings for their club members. For example, Black Ankle Vineyard and Hidden Hills have sponsored tasting. Co-workers are organizing virtual parties as well. Vino 301recently held a happy hour with our team. See our picture below. It is the after. Next time, I'll take a before picture.
Vino 301 virtual Happy Hour
You may be interested in hosting your own virtual Happy Hour. We have a few tips to help you organize your own Happy Hour.
Select your video chat platform
There are several free websites you can use to host your happy hour. Zoom is one of my favorites. They recently waived their 40-minute meeting limit to host a free meeting. With Zoom, create the session, paste the login information in your own invitation or email, and send it to your guests. Skype is another popular software. Evite now offers video chat. You can use Evite video chat or add your own video chat URL like Skype. Google calendar has a video chat component. Google Hangout is the platform available when you are scheduling your Happy Hour. You can select the Hangout option when you are creating the appointment.
evite
Make sure you have a good Internet connection!
Obviously, this is vital. If your connection is delayed continuously or freezing up, it will negatively affect the flow of the tastings. Test the connection beforehand, I can't stress this one enough.
Pick a theme
Give your happy hour a theme. Your theme can give your group some structure and inform your guests what to drink…cocktails, wine, beer. Here are some suggestions:
3 ingredient cocktails
Old World red wines
Taste of Napa (all Napa Valley Wines)
Beer and beards (come unshaven)
Wednesday wine down
Martini Mondays
Day drinking and pajama party
Red, white or blue cocktails
Non-drinker Themes
Non-drinkers can join in the fun. You can host virtual parties with mocktails. You can have Game Night ( you can play trivia or Pictionary) or a Dance-Off party. You can make it 80's rap or 90's garage band music.
Your guest list
Your video chat software may have a limit on the number of people who can join the chat. Check the parameters of your software. It is good to keep the guest list within reason.
audio meeting versus zoom meeting
It's a party. Treat it like an event. Don't show up in your ratty tee-shirt or pajamas. At least wear your best day pajamas. Remember you are on camera. Regardless of what you wear or what you do, have fun.