What’s refreshing, pairs perfectly with summer, and helps you make professional connections? If you guessed Common Desk’s weekly happy hours, you’re right! Around here, happy hours are a longstanding tradition used to break up the monotony of the workday and inspire connection between the members of our workspace communities. From the suburbs of Spring, Texas to the waterfront of Wilmington, North Carolina, we’re big on intentional moments over a yummy beverage, but this time around, we’re not talking caffeine. As we continue to wade into the thick of summer, we’re coming at you hot with a little background on Common Desk happy hours! A crowd favorite across our coworking locations, the Common Desk happy hour is the no-brainer staple in our coworking culture and you can expect plenty of them whether you’ve only recently joined us or been a faithful Common Desk patron for years. Today, we’re sharing the lowdown on all things Common Desk happy hours from history to our company’s intentions, and hope you’ll enjoy the ride!
Common Desk started as a scrappy bunch with a radical dream to build workspaces that our city’s professionals never want to leave. 12 years later, we think we’ve hit the nail on the head, but not without learning game-changing lessons along the way. One lesson we learned quickly was how valuable our people are and how important it is to keep those connections fresh, especially when chasing a vision and making it a reality. Building something from scratch will test your limits and fortitude and keep you questioning if the struggle is worth it. Seeing as many of our beloved members are entrepreneurs and teams of dreamers powering the next batch of groundbreaking businesses, we know our communities understand the grind intimately.
That said, we needed a way to keep our team’s morale high when the going got tough. The Common Desk happy hour, an opportunity to wind down after mentally and physically taxing workdays, was born. While not a revolutionary event in the workplace, as businesses have been hosting happy hours for years, they became special for our team of origin and carried over nicely into our preliminary coworking locations. The Common Desk happy hour is the time to get more human with the folks who make up your workplace. While we’re champions of professionalism, we’re also a sentimental, goofy bunch who believes in the impact and unique stories of others around us. We love to laugh, win, and troubleshoot setbacks alongside one another. The work you do, whether an engineer, teacher, or accountant, leaves a lasting mark, but you can’t be on at all times. That’s a recipe for workplace burnout, a reality we’re vehement about combatting.
The Common Desk mindset has been about the crossroads between professional success and meaningful community from day one and our happy hours carve out the time, space, and freedom to breathe and bump shoulders with people from different backgrounds that keep our inspiration alive. We’re not robots, right? While there’s an undeniable joy in the success of our careers, working beside the same people daily and not learning a single thing about their preferences or personal lives is a profound tragedy in our eyes. Luckily, that’s not something to worry about while at Common Desk. Our emphasis is on people, whether you’re a guest, member, or Common Desk associate, and that separates us from other communities on the market. Whether in San Antonio or Houston, we’re in the business of making days, both at work and play. While you focus on your day’s to-do’s, we’re behind the scenes supporting your rhythms and prepping what’s necessary to make the ultimate hangout once all the work is through. We chatted with our Community Associate from McKinney Square, Cameron Walker, about hosting happy hours in North Texas:
“Typically, I have a good grasp of who will attend which kind of events, but happy hours are a wildcard for me. While I love seeing our regulars, the real thrill is learning which drinks convince less frequent faces to make an appearance. I make mental notes of who prefers dark vs. clear liquor, who enjoys a theme, and ask if anyone has fun recipes or twists I can try next time. Most importantly, it’s a time for our community to step away from their desks and unwind together. I’ve watched new friendships bloom, overheard the formation of lunch plans, and engaged in playful banter from behind the hospitality bar. Happy hours are my favorite events to plan, by far!”
Despite our staple gatherings involving drinks, the hospitality teams usually include a fun twist, theme, or activity for participants to bond over. If alcoholic beverages aren’t a part of your routine, don’t sweat. Common Desk’s community events cater to all, so no matter your reason for not drinking, there’s still a place for you to participate in your location’s community of professionals. From non-alcoholic options, plenty of snacks, and team activities like trivia, word games, or crafts Common Desk’s happy hours are the afternoon pick-me-up our locations are committed to facilitating for the enjoyment of all. Community Lead, Marie Drosche, from 6th & Congress in Austin said:
“Happy hours at Common Desk – 6th & Co are the heartbeat of our community. They transform ordinary workdays into magical moments, where members can unwind, connect, and collaborate in a relaxed setting. I remember one happy hour where two members, previously working in different industries, struck up a conversation over a business venture one of them had. Their casual chat led to a collaborative project that not only benefited their businesses but inspired others in our space. These events aren’t only about sharing a drink! They’re about sharing ideas, building friendships, and creating a vibrant, supportive environment where everyone feels like they belong. I love watching the great minds of my members unfold, creating something unique.”
Below you’ll find some of the happy hour hits stealing the hearts of our members across our coworking markets. Seasonal and perfect to serve at your next event or weekend BBQ, we know they’ll be a success with your crew as they’ve been with ours. Let us know which one is your favorite!
Gin Basil Smash from Common Desk – Downtown Dallas
- 1.5oz Gin (We used Greenhouse Artisan, but for a local flare, consider Still Austin)
- 4 large basil leaves (or 8 tiny ones)
- 1/2oz of lemon juice
- 1/2oz of simple syrup
Make sure to muddle the Gin and basil leaves together. Afterward, stir ingredients with ice and strain into a Nick & Nora glass.
Peach John Dalys from Common Desk – Addison
- 5oz Peach Gold Peak sweet tea
- 5oz Simply Lemonade
- 2oz Deep Eddy Peach Vodka
- Lemon wheel or Peach slice for garnish
Shout out to our Associate, Jordan, for this OG concoction.
Summer Sangria from Common Desk – McKinney Square
- 1 750 ml bottle white wine
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1 cup watermelon (We subbed for lemons and limes)
- 2 cups peaches and pineapple
- 1 lime, sliced
- 20 oz sprite
Palomas from Common Desk – City Place
- 2 cups tequila (We used el Jimador Tequila Silver)
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 2 cups grapefruit juice
- 2 cups grapefruit soda
Hungry for more of our professional communities? Schedule a tour of any of our locations here!
