Rethinking Workplace Bonding: Beyond the Happy Hour
“Shots, shots, shots! Come on, you can do a shot,” my former boss shouted at me during a quarterly offsite, urging me to join at a makeshift bar. Despite my reluctance, the pressure mounted—mocking in front of colleagues and dismissing my refusals. Eventually, I gave in and took a tequila shot. For the rest of my time on that team, I carried a “vodka tonic” everywhere—actually just club soda with lime—just to avoid further insistence. This experience is not unique.
Research supports this discomfort. According to HR Daily Advisor, one-third of employees express a preference not to drink at work events, yet 15% still feel compelled to consume alcohol to fit in. This dynamic can foster negative social energy, alienate those uncomfortable with drinking, and even lead employees to skip team outings altogether.
It’s clear that alcohol shouldn’t be the default or sole avenue for workplace connection. Instead, organizations can cultivate meaningful relationships through healthier, more inclusive alternatives that prioritize well-being and genuine engagement.
1. Well-being Hours Are the New Happy Hour
Wellness-focused gatherings are replacing traditional after-work drinks. Data from Wellhub, a corporate wellness platform, reveals that Tuesdays at 6 p.m. have become the global peak time for wellness activities, surpassing typical happy hour timings. Employees today are increasingly invested in nutrition, mental health, and fitness.
Cesar Carvalho, CEO and co-founder of Wellhub, explains, “For a long time, team bonding meant happy hour. I think that’s changing, and it should. Movement and recovery aren’t a break from the workday anymore. They’re what makes the rest of the day actually work.”
Instead of gathering around drinks, teams can engage in spin classes, yoga sessions, group runs, or even walking tours when traveling. Incorporating walking meetings can also foster connection while promoting physical activity. These options not only improve health but also create authentic opportunities to bond without the pressures associated with alcohol consumption.
2. Book Clubs Are Making a Comeback
Book clubs are re-emerging as powerful tools for workplace connection and learning. I was delighted to learn that several companies have formed business book clubs featuring my book, The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses. These groups often share summaries and photos, reflecting genuine engagement.
According to Eventbrite, book club events have surged by 31%, underscoring their growing role in fostering social connection, especially for younger generations seeking community.
Tracy Avin, Founder of TroopHR, highlights the value: “Leaders continue to struggle with how to keep employees engaged and how to help employees learn and stay curious. Reading books together gives people something meaningful to bond over. Instead of asking, ‘What are we drinking?’ we’re asking, ‘What are we thinking about?’ That shift can create deeper conversations, stronger connections, and a culture where people keep learning from one another long after the book club gathering is over.”
3. Make an Impact Together
Volunteering as a team offers a profound way to bond while contributing to the community. My own experience organizing volunteer days with organizations like Dress for Success, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and Meals on Wheels America has been invaluable.
Teams can also connect with local food pantries, community gardens, or animal shelters to make a tangible difference. Building ongoing relationships with these organizations enables regular volunteering—perhaps quarterly—and strengthens both team cohesion and community ties.
Volunteering shifts focus beyond typical business goals like OKRs, fostering shared purpose and revealing new facets of colleagues’ personalities and strengths. This collective impact creates meaningful memories and bonds far more lasting than those forged under the pressure of alcohol.
Ultimately, bonding at work doesn’t have to revolve around drinking. While some enjoy a glass of chardonnay, others prefer club soda or no drink at all. What matters most is creating spaces where people can talk, laugh, celebrate, and connect authentically—independent of what’s in their glasses. The most successful workplace cultures I have experienced prioritize meaningful connections over happy hours, fostering environments where everyone feels included and valued.
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