Freelancers' Happy Hour
Probably the only thing we freelancers miss about the corporate world (besides insurance, and that's a complicated issue) are the easily arranged after work drinks with our peers. Always friendly, often gossip worthy, and sometimes put on the company cards, the post-work day happy hour is a blessed thing. Anyone working in a major metropolis in the late 80's or early 90's may have fond memories of sampling the latest hot spots and lush hotel lounges, on behalf of some major corporation or other. There are no doubt dot comers in SF, still recovering from endless elaborate parties and indulgent meals that preceeded the bust.
Well nowadays, if you haven't got a sugar corporation or even co-workers, you have to get a little creative when you end your work day and want to connect with your peers. A recent visit to Zeitgeist, at 3 pm on a Friday, revealed the possiblity, that freelancers are getting creative about the places where they do business. Quite efficiently, they are gathering in spots that can serve as office, and bar. At Zeitgeist this sunny day, a small posse of NOT 9-5ers, were sitting at the picnic benches, with open books, notepads, cell phones, some seemingly doing business, gathering their people for the eventual onslaught of the post-5pm Zeitgeist crowds.
Just a few blocks away, at the newly opened Coffee Bar, smartly dressed arty worker types convene, with laptops, renderings, brief cases. In the morning, it's for coffee and gougeres, some folks perhaps escaping from nearby offices. But past noon, wine and beer glasses start to appear. The place heats up, ties (yes, there's an the occasional tie) loosen, jackets and sweaters come off and the cozy couches become the coveted end-of-the-day resting spots.
If you know of any good transitional work/drink spots, contact us and we'll highlight them here.