For years, the default answer to “What should we do as a team?” was simple: book a table at the pub, order a round of drinks and hope everyone enjoys themselves.

That approach worked for some teams. It doesn’t work for nearly as many now.

Across UK workplaces, attitudes towards social events have changed. Employees are drinking less, teams are more diverse, and businesses are placing greater value on time spent together in person. The result is a noticeable shift away from alcohol-led socials and towards experiences that give people a genuine reason to spend time together.

Our own event trends research reflects exactly what we’re seeing with clients. Fewer than 25% of UK workers actually want alcohol to be part of workplace social events, while 52% of event organisers reported increasing attendance at experience-led events during 2024. That’s a significant change from the days when a free bar was considered the main attraction.

The wider industry is seeing the same pattern. When The Guardian explored how office Christmas parties are changing, they highlighted the growing move away from alcohol-centred celebrations towards activities such as escape rooms, crazy golf and team challenges. We were pleased to contribute to that discussion, sharing what we’ve seen first-hand as more companies choose shared experiences over drinks-led evenings. 

For HR managers, office managers and team leaders, this creates an opportunity rather than a challenge.

The question is no longer “How do we replace the pub?”

It’s “What kind of experience actually helps our team enjoy spending time together?”

Why the traditional pub social isn’t working for every team

A trip to the pub isn’t inherently a bad idea. Plenty of teams still enjoy heading out for a drink after work.

The problem comes when it becomes the only option.

Modern workplaces include people who don’t drink for religious reasons, health reasons, pregnancy, medication, sporting commitments or simply personal preference. Others are perfectly happy to have a drink but don’t particularly want to spend an evening standing in a noisy bar making small talk with colleagues.

If attendance depends on alcohol, many people quietly opt out.

That matters because social events aren’t simply about having fun. They’re one of the few opportunities colleagues have to build relationships outside day-to-day work.

Our research also points to another important trend: businesses are increasingly thinking about return on relationships. Organisations aren’t investing in in-person events purely because they’re enjoyable. They’re investing because stronger working relationships improve communication, collaboration and trust long after the event finishes.

When you look at it that way, success isn’t measured by how many drinks were ordered. It’s measured by whether people who rarely speak left knowing each other a little better.

Teams are coming together more deliberately

Another factor driving this shift is the way people now work.

Hybrid working hasn’t disappeared. Remote working remains common across many industries. At the same time, 90% of UK companies now require some office attendance, meaning organisations are thinking much more carefully about when people come together.

If your team only meets in person occasionally, those moments matter.

Nobody wants to spend an entire quarterly meet-up squeezed into the corner of a busy pub where conversation naturally splits into existing friendship groups.

Instead, companies are asking for experiences that encourage everyone to participate without making participation feel forced.

The best team socials don’t manufacture interaction. They create situations where conversation happens naturally.

Personalisation is replacing one-size-fits-all events

One of the biggest trends influencing corporate events is personalisation.

As AI makes personalised experiences normal in almost every part of daily life, employees increasingly expect work events to reflect the people attending rather than following a standard template.

That doesn’t mean every individual needs a completely bespoke event.

It means thinking about questions like:

• Is this suitable for everyone?
• Will quieter personalities enjoy it as much as extroverts?
• Can people join in without feeling put on the spot?
• Does it suit a mixed-age workforce?
• Will people still be talking about it next week?

The strongest events usually have multiple ways for people to engage rather than relying on one activity or one personality type.

That’s one reason experience-led events continue growing in popularity. They give teams something to focus on together instead of relying entirely on conversation.

What makes a good alternative to the pub?

Replacing a pub social doesn’t mean replacing one venue with another.

The most successful alternatives usually have four things in common.

They give people something to do

Conversation flows far more naturally when people are solving a challenge, building something together or competing in a light-hearted activity.

There’s less pressure to keep conversations going because the experience creates them.

They’re genuinely inclusive

Good team events don’t revolve around drinking, physical ability or existing friendship groups.

Everyone should be able to participate without feeling like they’re sitting on the sidelines.

They’re memorable

Ask someone what happened during last year’s drinks reception and they’ll probably struggle to remember.

Ask them about the team that narrowly escaped the final room, won the quiz on a tie-break question or built the tallest structure from impossible materials, and they’ll usually remember every detail.

Shared memories build stronger teams.

They suit your objectives

Sometimes you want pure entertainment.

Sometimes you want departments who’ve never worked together to mix.

Sometimes you want to welcome new starters or celebrate a major milestone.

Choosing the right format makes a huge difference. If you’re weighing up venue options, our guide to Indoor, Outdoor or Venue-Based Team Building: What to Check Before You Choose explains the practical considerations that make one style of event more suitable than another.

Seven genuinely engaging alternatives to a pub social

1. Escape room experiences

Escape games remain one of the most effective team-building activities because they naturally encourage communication without making it feel like work.

Small groups solve puzzles, uncover clues and complete challenges against the clock.

People contribute in different ways.

Some notice hidden details.

Others organise information.

Someone inevitably becomes the calm voice keeping everyone focused.

The activity creates opportunities for colleagues who don’t usually work together to discover each other’s strengths.

For larger organisations, hosted escape-style experiences can be brought into offices or external venues, allowing dozens or even hundreds of people to take part simultaneously rather than splitting across commercial escape room venues.

2. Game show events

Game show formats have become increasingly popular because they capture the energy of television favourites without requiring specialist knowledge.

Think fast-paced rounds, buzzers, music, visual challenges and team competition rather than lengthy quizzes.

Good hosts keep the atmosphere relaxed, making them particularly effective for mixed groups where some employees know each other well and others have only recently joined.

They’re also highly adaptable, making it easy to tailor questions around company culture, shared experiences or completely unrelated entertainment.

Everyone has opportunities to contribute, whether they’re competitive or simply happy cheering their teammates on.

3. Interactive food experiences

Food has always brought people together.

The difference is that modern corporate events increasingly make food part of the experience rather than simply something served halfway through.

Chocolate-making workshops, street food challenges, cocktail-free mocktail masterclasses, bake-offs, pizza-making competitions and tasting experiences all encourage conversation while giving everyone something tangible to create.

Unlike a meal where people naturally stay with colleagues they already know, interactive food experiences encourage movement and collaboration throughout the session.

4. City-wide scavenger hunts and adventure challenges

If your team wants to get out of the office entirely, a city-based challenge is one of the easiest ways to create an event that feels social without centring it around food or drink.

Teams split into smaller groups and race to complete a series of clues, creative photo missions and interactive challenges. The format naturally gets people talking because every decision is made together, from choosing a route to solving puzzles and completing tasks against the clock.

We’ve found this works particularly well for hybrid teams who don’t see each other often. Instead of spending the afternoon sitting around a table, colleagues are exploring a city together, sharing laughs and creating memories that are still being talked about long after the event.

Because these events can be personalised with company branding, bespoke challenges or references to your business, they feel far more relevant than a generic off-the-shelf activity. That growing expectation for personalised experiences is something we’re seeing across almost every client brief, particularly as AI has raised expectations around tailored experiences. 

This to date is still our most booked product – link here for more info: Scavenger Hunt.

5. Charity team challenges

Many organisations want their social budget to have a wider purpose.

Charity-focused team building combines collaboration with giving something back, whether that’s building bikes for children’s charities, assembling care packages, creating sensory equipment or taking part in fundraising challenges.

These events give colleagues a shared goal that extends beyond winning points or beating another team.

They’re especially effective for organisations looking to reinforce company values or introduce purpose into away days and annual meetings.

The activity itself creates conversation, but the lasting impact often comes from knowing the event has benefited someone else.

6. Creative workshops that everyone can enjoy

Not every team wants a competitive event.

For groups looking for a calmer pace, creative experiences can be surprisingly effective.

Activities might include:

• Pottery or ceramics workshops
• Collaborative mural painting
• Candle-making
• Terrarium building
• Floral workshops
• Printmaking
• Collaborative LEGO® building challenges

These formats appeal to teams that enjoy making something together while chatting naturally throughout the session.

Importantly, there isn’t a single “right” personality type for creative activities. People can participate at their own pace, making them a comfortable option for quieter colleagues who may not enjoy louder competitive events.

7. Interactive evening entertainment

Sometimes companies still want an evening event because it’s easier around everyone’s schedules.

That doesn’t mean the only option is booking a private bar.

Hosted evening entertainment gives people a reason to stay engaged throughout the event rather than simply finding a seat and talking to the colleagues they already know.

Some of the most popular formats include:

• Live game shows
• Magic Bingo experiences
• Interactive quizzes personalised to your company
• Giant challenge games
• Crazy golf challenge shows
• Ping pong challenge events

These formats work particularly well because people can move between chatting, playing and watching without feeling pressured to do one thing all evening. They’re lively enough to feel like a celebration while remaining accessible for colleagues who don’t drink.

The flexibility also makes them ideal for Christmas parties, summer socials and conference evenings where companies want entertainment that appeals across the whole workforce. 

Check out our Magic Bingo video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhfzJO8EKuE

Choosing the right format for your team

The best team social isn’t necessarily the newest or most unusual activity.

It’s the one that suits your people.

Before booking, ask yourself a few simple questions.

How well does the team already know each other?

A newly formed department may benefit from collaborative challenges, while an established team might enjoy something more competitive.

What is the occasion?

Celebrating a successful year calls for a different atmosphere than welcoming new starters or bringing together colleagues from different offices.

How many people are attending?

Some experiences work brilliantly for 20 people but become difficult with 200 unless they’re specifically designed to scale.

Where will people be travelling from?

For hybrid teams, accessibility often matters more than finding the trendiest venue.

If you’re deciding between indoor, outdoor or venue-based activities, our guide to Indoor, Outdoor or Venue-Based Team Building: What to Check Before You Choose covers the practical questions that are worth asking before you commit.

What about the people who say they hate team building?

Almost every organiser says the same thing.

“There are a few people who won’t want to come.”

In reality, most people don’t dislike team building.

They dislike awkward team building.

Nobody enjoys being forced into uncomfortable icebreakers, role-playing exercises or activities that feel disconnected from everyday work.

The answer isn’t to stop organising social events.

It’s to choose experiences where participation feels natural.

The best activities create shared moments without putting individuals under pressure. People become involved because they’re curious, competitive or simply enjoying themselves, not because they’ve been singled out by a facilitator.

If you’re worried about reluctant attendees, we’ve explored this in more detail in our guide to How to Plan a Team Social for People Who Say They Hate Team Building, including practical ways to improve attendance and make events feel genuinely welcoming.

The future of workplace socials is more inclusive and more memorable

The move away from pub-centred socials isn’t about removing fun from workplace events.

It’s about recognising that today’s workforce expects something more thoughtful.

With fewer than a quarter of UK employees actively wanting alcohol at workplace events, organisations are responding by investing in experiences that encourage genuine connection. At the same time, rising attendance at experience-led events, the demand for more personalised activities, and a stronger focus on building workplace relationships all point in the same direction.

For businesses embracing hybrid working, every opportunity to bring people together has become more valuable. Those occasions deserve more than simply reserving a few tables at the nearest pub.

Whether it’s a city-wide scavenger hunt, a live game show, an interactive food experience or a creative workshop, the right activity gives colleagues something they can’t get from another video call: shared experiences, genuine conversation and lasting memories.

At The Big Smoke Events, that’s exactly what we design. Every event is fully hosted, tailored to your team and built around bringing people together in a way that feels natural, engaging and genuinely enjoyable. Whether you’re planning a Christmas party, summer social, conference evening or quarterly team day, we’ll help you create an experience your team will actually want to attend and still be talking about weeks later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best alternatives to a work pub night?

The best alternatives give people something to experience together rather than simply somewhere to meet. Scavenger Hunts, interactive personalized game shows, creative workshops, charity team building and food-based experiences all encourage conversation naturally while being more inclusive than a traditional pub social.

Are alcohol-free workplace socials becoming more popular?

Yes. Our latest event trends research shows fewer than 25% of UK workers actively want alcohol at workplace social events. At the same time, experience-led events continue to grow in popularity as businesses focus on creating more inclusive and engaging opportunities for teams to connect.

How do you make a team social inclusive?

Choose an activity that doesn’t rely on drinking, sporting ability or existing friendship groups. The strongest events are accessible to different personalities, allow everyone to contribute in their own way and create opportunities for colleagues to mix naturally.

What team building activities work well for hybrid teams?

Activities that encourage collaboration work particularly well for hybrid teams because they help colleagues reconnect in person. Scavenger Hunts, hosted game shows and collaborative challenges all create shared experiences that are difficult to replicate online. Magic Bingo would be our top choice as it has a real wow factor that leaves people talking about it after the event. 

How do you improve attendance at company social events?

Most important is to do this in office hours. This shows your team you value them and don’t expect them to give up their personal time. Give people a reason to attend beyond free drinks. Employees are much more likely to join events that are enjoyable, inclusive and offer a memorable shared experience. Asking for feedback before booking and choosing activities that appeal to a broad range of personalities can also improve attendance.

Final Thoughts…

Whether you’re planning a Christmas party, summer social, conference evening or quarterly team get-together, choosing the right experience can make all the difference. The most successful events aren’t remembered because of the venue or the bar tab. They’re remembered because colleagues laughed together, solved problems together and came away knowing each other a little better.

At The Big Smoke Events, we design and deliver team building experiences that bring people together in a way that feels natural, inclusive and genuinely enjoyable. From interactive game shows and escape challenges to city adventures, creative workshops and charity events, we’ll help you find an experience that fits your team, your objectives and your budget.

Looking for ideas? Get in touch with our team to discuss the right event for your people, and we’ll help you create a social that everyone actually wants to attend.