Coworking is undoubtedly changing the way we work and is making waves across the globe. Yet, while there are hundreds of cowork brands that host millions of individuals in brick and mortar facilities, only a few forward-thinking companies are taking the concept to the next level by incorporating, none other than, the bar!
We put our heads together to come up with a few reasons why (co)working from the bar makes perfect sense.
1. Longer Work Hours
With last call not happening until 2am in some states, you have a much longer window of time to be productive. Sure, you may decide to shut down around midnight, but when working from the bar, you at least have that option.
2. Unlikely Connections
You never know who you’ll be seated next to, which makes bar working exciting and always new! Just imagine getting settled for a bar work session and looking up to see that one of the area’s most well known business pros just plopped down next to you… serendipity at its finest!
3. More Natural Interactions
Mixing it up with people at the bar is kind of like going to a networking happy hour, but without the pressure and uncomfortable introductions. Sit at the bar for an hour or two, and you’re likely to spark up a conversation with someone you’ve never met about something you may or may not discuss often.
4. Differing Opinions
Free flowing convo with the new people you’ve connected with will undoubtedly spark a charged up conversation. These viewpoints and opinions, as different from yours as they may be, are valuable and can add something new to your business thought process…Embrace ‘em.
5. Free Wifi
Every red-blooded professional needs access to wifi and most restaurants offer it to guests, at no charge, to entice them to stay longer and eat more. Save your hotspot storage and soak up theirs.
6. Built-in Distractor
In the case you don’t want to go to the bar to spark up conversation with all the cool people you’ll meet, just pop in your headphones and bury yourself in your laptop. Chances are no one will bother you, thus allowing for a distraction-free work session.
7. Free focus group
Use your barmates (and even the bartender) to talk through new business ideas that you’re considering. Or get their opinion about who to hire or fire. They’ll be able to provide you with unbiased opinions and, quite possibly, useful data that could otherwise cost you lots of money to obtain from a professional.
8. Food
Traditional cowork spaces don’t have this option on a regular basis, and when they do, it’s up to members to clean up their own mess. Bars, however, come with full menus and staff to clean up. Less hassle for you… and you’ll need something to soak up the alcohol.
9. Drinks
Of course! Why work at a cowork space that only offers members beer when you can go to a bar and get the whole shabang! That drink (or two) may be just what you need to get your creative juices flowing and get you into your work groove.
10. Fun!
Bars are fun… drinking (when done responsibly) is fun… and if you’re doing what you love, your work is fun too! Here’s to making awesome things happen… Cheers!
Want to connect with people at your bar in a whole new way? Download the BOTY on iTunes or Google Play for free!