It's corporate holiday party time, so we're heading out into the cold to ask employees what they think about their companies' bashes. (That's the point, right?) Here's our third report of the season.
Since New York magazine editors have been crashing holiday parties left and right, we decided it was only fair to scope out their bash last night at the Cub Room in SoHo, which happens to be close to the company’s new downtown office. In a surprisingly casual turn, employees mingled throughout the restaurant amongst decorations that consisted of little more than some strung-up tinsel and a Christmas tree in the corner. We snuck in behind a gaggle of smokers and did some mingling of our own.
With some of the employees being reporters themselves, they were wary about being quoted, but some staffers and their guests (anonymously) shared their thoughts on the event. Here's what we gathered.
“Hey, how did you get in here? I thought we were so exclusive. Let me guess—it was the big signs on the doors saying this was a private party for New York mag? Go us. Here, have a drink.”
—Sales coordinator, 32
“I really like that there isn’t much decoration. It feels like we’re just out amongst 100 of our closest friends. Nothing fussy, just a good time.”
—IT department staffer, 40
“Remarkably short lines [for the coat check, bar, and bathrooms]. I’m impressed.”
—Online staffer, 45“I’m having a great time. I think the low-key bar atmosphere makes for some good conversation with coworkers. The music is fun and current, but not too loud like bars normally are.”
—Contributing editor, 28
“Lots of us at the company smoke. It’s nice that we can just step out for a second and easily get back in. Everything is super relaxed.”
—Art department staffer, 31
“The food was easily accessible; lots of finger food and things on toothpicks that are easy just to walk by and munch on, which was nice.”
—Sales department staffer, 43
“I’m having an O.K. time, but I think it’s always important with these parties to think about the guests of employees who might not know anyone. It seems like a bunch of coworkers just getting drunk together, because there’s really nothing else going on at the party, I’m bored. I wish there were some activities, or at least some dancing!”
—High school teacher, 37
“I come [to the Cub Room] all the time with friends, and I think it’s a great place to throw an office party. It would be nice if we had done something over-the-top and fancy, though. I mean, come on, half of us are here in jeans!”
—Contributing editor, 30
“Sure, the bar thing is cool. I’m just scared that people are going to take advantage of all the dark corners to start hooking up. Gross.”
—Anonymous, 24
“I work for a big company on Wall Street, and our party was such an elaborate ordeal. I mean, it was nice to dress up and dance and everything, but this party is just refreshing. There’s plenty of room to sit, and it’s crowded but not annoyingly so. And who knows, give us a few more drinks and you might see some dancing after all.”
—Stock broker, 48
Since New York magazine editors have been crashing holiday parties left and right, we decided it was only fair to scope out their bash last night at the Cub Room in SoHo, which happens to be close to the company’s new downtown office. In a surprisingly casual turn, employees mingled throughout the restaurant amongst decorations that consisted of little more than some strung-up tinsel and a Christmas tree in the corner. We snuck in behind a gaggle of smokers and did some mingling of our own.
With some of the employees being reporters themselves, they were wary about being quoted, but some staffers and their guests (anonymously) shared their thoughts on the event. Here's what we gathered.
“Hey, how did you get in here? I thought we were so exclusive. Let me guess—it was the big signs on the doors saying this was a private party for New York mag? Go us. Here, have a drink.”
—Sales coordinator, 32
“I really like that there isn’t much decoration. It feels like we’re just out amongst 100 of our closest friends. Nothing fussy, just a good time.”
—IT department staffer, 40
“Remarkably short lines [for the coat check, bar, and bathrooms]. I’m impressed.”
—Online staffer, 45“I’m having a great time. I think the low-key bar atmosphere makes for some good conversation with coworkers. The music is fun and current, but not too loud like bars normally are.”
—Contributing editor, 28
“Lots of us at the company smoke. It’s nice that we can just step out for a second and easily get back in. Everything is super relaxed.”
—Art department staffer, 31
“The food was easily accessible; lots of finger food and things on toothpicks that are easy just to walk by and munch on, which was nice.”
—Sales department staffer, 43
“I’m having an O.K. time, but I think it’s always important with these parties to think about the guests of employees who might not know anyone. It seems like a bunch of coworkers just getting drunk together, because there’s really nothing else going on at the party, I’m bored. I wish there were some activities, or at least some dancing!”
—High school teacher, 37
“I come [to the Cub Room] all the time with friends, and I think it’s a great place to throw an office party. It would be nice if we had done something over-the-top and fancy, though. I mean, come on, half of us are here in jeans!”
—Contributing editor, 30
“Sure, the bar thing is cool. I’m just scared that people are going to take advantage of all the dark corners to start hooking up. Gross.”
—Anonymous, 24
“I work for a big company on Wall Street, and our party was such an elaborate ordeal. I mean, it was nice to dress up and dance and everything, but this party is just refreshing. There’s plenty of room to sit, and it’s crowded but not annoyingly so. And who knows, give us a few more drinks and you might see some dancing after all.”
—Stock broker, 48
