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What Happened to Work Happy Hour?
With the rise of remote work and shrinking corporate budgets, this after-hours bonding ritual has gone extinct.
Girlboss Daily
January 28, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes
Lara here, Girlboss’ contributing writer! 👋
We’re calling it, y’all: work happy hours are officially over. With many of us working from home these days, plus shrinking corporate budgets and alcohol being less popular than ever, happy hours just don’t hit like they used to. 😔 That said, we do miss the yap sessions with our work besties dearly, so we came up with a few zero-proof alternatives to fill the void. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right? 😜
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T-Mobile
A Phone Plan That Just Gets It
Somewhere along the way, phone plans got wildly overpriced. And yes, we do need unlimited data to watch Heated Rivalry fan edits at work!!! So what’s a girl to do?
T-Mobile just launched a new plan that actually feels… reasonable. It’s designed for families (or households) with three or more lines who want real, predictable savings—not another buzzy phone deal that quietly expires. You can save over $1,000 per year vs. Verizon & AT&T with 3+ lines by getting benefits they charge extra for—including streaming and satellite connectivity.
The best part? Talk, text, and data prices are locked in, which means fewer bill surprises and way less mental math. Finally, a phone plan that understands your priorities. 😌
How to Fill the Work Happy Hour Void
When’s the last time you went to a work happy hour? 🍷 If you genuinely can’t remember, you’re in the majority: according to a recent Wall Street Journal article, companies are phasing them out. It’s yet another casualty of a corporate cultural reset.
Don’t get us wrong: we love a flexible hybrid schedule and would never trade it for a weekly watered-down cocktail with our coworkers, but it’s undeniable that the sense of camaraderie we once shared with our team has been lost as a result.
And that’s not to say alcohol needs to be involved, either. With more and more people drinking less, zero-proof options are not only more inclusive, but they’re also more budget-friendly (because we know those corporate budgets have shrunk, too!).
Without further ado, here are a few simple ways to bring that happy hour energy back to your office. If you’re rolling your eyes at the thought of mandatory team bonding, who knows… maybe you’ll meet your future work-turned-real-life bestie?
💪 Volunteer together
Many companies actually have volunteering policies that encourage employees to participate in community service by offering paid time off for it (check your employee handbook!). These “perks” often go under-utilized, but they’re the perfect opportunity for team bonding over work hours, plus a great chance to give back to your community in a meaningful way. Prepping meals for food banks, doing a park cleanup, or organizing an employee-driven donation drive are all great options that offer ample time for chatter.
🫧 Soak at a bathhouse
Okay, hear us out on this one: we know the idea of schvitzing beside your coworkers in a steamy sauna might sound a tad… strange, but bathhouses are having a major moment for a reason. They’re a great opportunity to unwind and disconnect from technology (phones aren’t allowed!), while still offering ample opportunity for socialization, much like the kind you used to find at a cheerful happy hour. Plus, going for a dip in the cold plunge is a great icebreaker (literally) and bonding experience that doesn’t require much awkward small talk.
That said: As we’ve mentioned before, bonding in a towel and a bathing suit may not be everyone's cup of tea, so if you aren't comfortable hanging with your coworkers half-naked, maybe see if your work bestie wants to go with you instead.
🏠 Take it in-house
A common complaint for many work happy hours is that they take place after hours (read: on unpaid time), and honestly, we feel that. Carving out a little dedicated time during your in-office days for socialization can go a long way. Doing a craft together, playing a game of trivia, or hosting a themed potluck are low-stakes ways to gather everyone together on paid time. Sure, it might feel a little forced at first, but getting past that is the whole point!
POLL: Would you try one of these happy hour alternatives? |
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