How to organise successful corporate afterwork drinks

What are corporate afterwork drinks for?

Successful afterwork drinks do a specific job: they get people talking who never cross paths during the day. They welcome new starters, celebrate the end of a project, mark the return after the summer or the start of it, or bring two teams together after a merger. Defining this goal helps you choose the venue, the length and the activity. “Welcome” drinks work best on your own premises; “end of the school year” drinks can treat themselves to a terrace facing the sea.

Where to hold afterwork drinks in Marseille?

In high season, the private beaches of the Prado and the rooftops are booked several weeks ahead for Thursdays. For drinks on your own premises, check the authorised capacity, protect workstations and let the building’s reception know. Our selection of seaside venues in Marseille can help.

How long should it last and how should it run?

Aim for two and a half to three hours, for example from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. The running order fits into four stages:

1. 6.30pm, arrivals: background music, a first drink served quickly to avoid a queue at the bar.
2. 7pm, a welcome word of two minutes, no more: introduce the new starters, thank a team.
3. 7.15pm, activity: a quiz in mixed teams, a workshop, a cocktail demonstration.
4. 8.30pm, gradual wind-down: last round announced, music brought down, sweet bites.

What food and drink should you serve?

The classic mistake is underestimating the food. From 6.30pm, guests are hungry: plan finger food throughout the event, not just on arrival. For quantities, our guide to cocktail reception food per person gives precise benchmarks. For drinks, offer at least one alcohol-free option as carefully made as the others: a signature alcohol-free cocktail, prepared by a bartender, is often one of the most requested.

What activities work for afterwork drinks?

An afterwork activity should be light, optional and short. It is an excuse to mix teams, not a compulsory programme. A few formats that work:

• A music quiz or trivia quiz on smartphones, in randomly drawn teams.
• A cocktail workshop: everyone makes their own drink with a bartender.
• A DJ who adapts the music to the time: background sound at first, more upbeat later.
• Free-play games: darts, pétanque on a beach, giant games.
• A photo booth that creates memories shared the next day on the internal messaging app.

How much do corporate afterwork drinks cost?

The budget depends first on the venue. In a privately hired bar, restaurant or beach, most Marseille venues offer a per-person package that includes drinks and finger food: for a cocktail reception in a hired venue, allow €35 to €60 per person depending on the package and the length. On your own premises, the venue costs nothing, but you have to bring everything: bar, glasses, furniture, caterer, music.

A budgeting tip: ask for a capped drinks package rather than paying for actual consumption. You know the amount in advance, and the venue adapts its service. If the drinks are funded by the works council (CSE, the French employee committee), look at our works council offer, which covers the organisation free of charge.

What pitfalls should you avoid?

• The queue at the bar: one bartender per 50 people is a good benchmark.
• Music that is too loud: afterwork drinks are for talking.
• Forgetting those who do not drink: at least two well-made alcohol-free drinks.
• A vague finishing time: put it in the invitation, colleagues with children can plan better.
• Getting home: remind people of public transport, offer taxis if the venue is out of the way.

What goes on an afterwork checklist?

• Invitation sent two to three weeks ahead, with the finishing time.
• Number of guests confirmed to the caterer and the bar three days before.
• High tables, bins and a cloakroom planned.
• Playlist ready or DJ briefed on the audience.
• Travel home arrangements communicated.