With the recent pandemic shutting down bars and restaurants, it’s impossible to get together with friends and coworkers for a happy hour—and that’s leaving us feeling disconnected.
That’s why we’ve found some of the best virtual happy hour apps to help you stay in touch with your crew.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Virtual Happy Hour
There are a variety of choices and I’ve compiled a list of some of the best options below. Click the link of each to explore and download — or search the app store on your phone or table — and in no time you can host your own virtual get-together (cocktails and hors d’oeuvres not included).
ZOOM
Two weeks ago, I had never heard of Zoom, which primarily had been used by businesses for video conferencing. But now it’s become a go-to download for businesses and people alike as a way to organize happy-hours and meet-ups.
There are paid and free versions and the freebie allows at up to 100 people the ability to participate in a single chat for up to 40 minutes. You can also buy a monthly plan (from $15-20) that expands the number of users and durations of calls.
People seem to like the app and it’s reportedly easy to use. A host creates a call — say for a game-night — and shares a link to the call that allows you to join. Voila.
GOOGLE HANGOUTS
This option is similar to Zoom, but comes with your Gmail account and can be downloaded as an app or an extension on your Chrome web browser. One bonus is that it syncs with your google contacts and accounts, allowing easy access to friends and family. The free version allows up to 25 people to join a single chat and, unlike Zoom, includes the opportunity to share GIFs and emojis.
I’ve used Google Duo, a sister product, to have a video chat with my sisters on my iPhone. They live in Florida and have android devices, so it’s a nice way to mesh iPhones with Samsung Galaxy’s and other android phones. You can connect with up to eight people at once using Google Duo.
HOUSEPARTY
My wife tried Houseparty for the first time last weekend, when she took part in a video chat with his sisters and mother, and loved it. I joined in briefly through her screen and it was fun to see people scattered across the United States — from Washington D.C. to Oakland to Portland — chat at the same time.
What makes House Party unique, however, is that it includes the ability to play a variety of games together, including Trivia, Quick Draw (like Pictionary) and Heads up (like charades).
Eight people can connect at once and it’s super easy to use. An added bonus is that you can pull contacts from other social media apps like Facebook and Snapchat, allowing a more seamless connection to social media friends.
FACETIME
If you’re an iPhone user, you’ve no doubt taken advantage of a video chat with a friend or family member using FaceTime. And this remains a go-to option for those who use Apple products.
I’ve only participated in one-on-one FaceTime interactions, but apparently you can use the Group FaceTime function to chat with up to 32 people at once.
FACEBOOK MESSENGER
Most of the world is on Facebook (cough, not me, cough, cough) and Facebook Messenger reportedly is an easy way to connect through video.
Fifty people can chat at once, with up to six visible on the screen at the same time. As with many of these apps, the person speaking at any given time is always shuffled to the main video slot for all to see.
WHATSAPP MESSENGER
Like FaceTime, Google Duo and Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp is option for easy person-to-person video chatting. It works like most of the others, except it’s a bit more limited because it allows no more than four people to sync at one time.
SKYPE
In the video conferencing world, Skype has reached OG status and it’s widely used for large groups.
It’s not the easiest-to-use option, especially on a desktop, and it lacks some of the features of its younger copycats. But it’s reliable and the mobile version is reportedly solid, offering free video chats for up to four hours per call and 100 hours per month.
NETFLIX PARTY … TWOSEVEN
OK, these are a little different. But they also sound pretty fun because they’re basically a social-distancing version of movie night.
As you might imagine, Netflix Party uses the subscription-based Netflix service, so you’ll need that to use the app. (But who doesn’t have Netflix?)
Basically, Netflix Party creates a way for you to simultaneously watch a Netflix movie or show with friends and chat about it live. One person sets things up and sends links to invite friends to join. When they click the link, people join the movie or show in progress and everyone can chat along the way, posting comments via a small text chat window.
The app twoseven involves a similar concept, except it syncs a variety of subscription-based platforms, including HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Netflix and others. It reportedly isn’t quite as easy to use, but your movie options are greater. Plus, it also features a video function, so you can see friends as you watch and feel more like you’re actually watching a movie with a group.
free virtual happy hour games with coworkers
When it comes to virtual happy hour games, the options are practically endless—and these games don’t have to be hard to coordinate. In fact, the toughest thing will be deciding which one to play!
1. Water or Not Water
Have you seen the HBO show Run? It’s what made this game really popular. If you haven’t seen it, don’t worry. This game is incredibly simple.
Essentially, all you need to do is have each team member pour a few shot glasses—some filled with a transparent alcoholic spirit and one filled with water.
During each round, one person chooses a glass and takes a shot. That player then says either that the liquid they drank was “water” or “not water.” Everyone else then takes turns guessing whether they’re telling the truth or not based on their facial expression.
2. Virtual Happy Hour Trivia
This is no ordinary happy hour trivia game. In this activity, you and your team will take a trip to Hamish McDuff’s virtual pub. This hilarious Scottish pub owner is the legendary host of a trivia game with more than 20 category options to choose from, including sports, food and drink, and even celebrity real estate. This virtual pub trivia game is guaranteed to produce plenty of laughs and lift team “spirits.” It might even include a few special surprises.
3. Up Close and Personal
Here’s a weird one question, but have you ever looked at something really closely zoomed in? Believe it or not, it can be really tough to recognize everyday items when you zoom in close on them. And therein lies a fun game!
Find some photos of items closely zoomed (you can find a bunch here). Then, share your screen with your colleagues and go through different photos, seeing who can guess each item correctly. Give a point for each correct response and, once you’re out of photos, see who got the most right.
You can take this idea to the next level by sending all of your participants a Happy Hour Box before the virtual event.
This kit includes snacks, icebreakers, a handy tumbler, and a cocktail kit. Just add some hard stuff, and you’re all set for a good time. Take this quick 60-second quiz to get personalized options for your team.
4. Virtual Scattergories
Who says boardgames can’t be virtual? There’s a Scattergories app that could be perfect for your workgroup. Just make sure everyone downloads the app and gets it set up ahead of your happy hour.
5. Virtual Jeoparty Social
If your remote team is eager to socialize, have some fun as a group, and channel their competitive spirit, we’ve got just the thing for you! With Virtual Jeoparty Social, you and your colleagues will step into your very own virtual Jeopardy-style game show—equipped with a buzzer button, a professional actor as your host, and an immersive game show platform! Best of all, this game has been infused with an ultra-social twist: players will take part in a unique social mixer challenge between each round.
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