Enjoying a happy hour with your co-workers gives everyone something to look forward to during the week and the chance to blow off steam. Best of all, they can potentially turn peers into friends. Just remember to focus on the “happy” part of happy hour while you’re out.

5 Ways to Keep Happy Hour Fun

1. Show Up

It’s understandable that you might want to keep your professional and social lives separate, the reason company-planned happy hours exist is out of appreciation for your hard work. Accept the invitation and have some fun. You earned it.

2. Order a Round

If happy hour is happening at a bar or restaurant, buy a round for everybody. This will not only start a chain-reaction of reciprocal round-buying, but it’ll also help your popularity around the office. This is especially helpful for new or introverted people looking to make some friends on the job.

3. Drink Responsibly

Buying a round isn’t the question, it’s what you’re ordering. You might be in a social setting, but you’re still with people you deal with professionally. Order a drink you can sip, like beer or wine. Don’t go for the shots or heavier cocktails. You probably have a good idea what your limit is—stay on the right side of it.  

4. Keep It Light

Happy hour is fun, and alcohol lowers inhibitions. That looseness sometimes leads to oversharing personal information, telling offensive jokes, or spreading office gossip. That’s fine for happy hour with your friends, but not for co-workers. Keep the conversation fun and personable by talking about Netflix shows, music, and travel.  

5. Don’t Forget to Eat

Drinks are so cheap at happy hour that it somehow makes them more delicious, but you’re probably going to the bar right from work without having dinner. Drinking on an empty stomach will get you drunk faster, so order some food to keep your night from ending early.  

If you’re looking for a stylish but relaxed happy hour spot with an exciting menu, check out bills Hawaii in Honolulu. Their happy hour lasts from 3 PM to 6 PM, featuring unique specialty cocktails along with new takes on old favorites. bills’ Australian-inspired menu makes them the perfect choice for any meal and with any company—whether you’re stopping in with a date, your family, some co-workers, or you just want to try their world-famous scrambled eggs, walk on in or set up a reservation at (808) 922-1500. To view their happy hour menu, visit their website.