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[kellyfrost]

Is consuming alcohol, after normal business hours, while at the office generally considers ok or not? I know this will vary firm to firm, but I'm just trying to get an idea of how common or acceptable it is.

I'm not talking about boozing during the day, but instead, having a scotch or whiskey on the rocks at night as you are sitting at your desk.

Do partners or other co-workers keep booze in their office?

You always see lawyers on TV drinking in their office at night. I've begun to see this practice more often than I used to as a law student.

Any anecdotes or info is welcome.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Probably office dependent to some extent but regardless, I wouldn't drink alone in the office.

[Actus Reus]

You can both dip and drink alcohol whenever you want

[kellyfrost]

Probably office dependent to some extent but regardless, I wouldn't drink alone in the office.

How come? Personally I'm more of a drink alone kind of guy rather than drinking in a large social group.

[kellyfrost]

You can both dip and drink alcohol whenever you want

I wish the rules were this simple.

[A. Nony Mouse]

I would way rather go home and drink there than drink in my office.

[Johann]

yeah its generally okay but to be safe, just keep it in coffee mug or non-transparent disposable cup and no one will ask.

[kellyfrost]

yeah its generally okay but to be safe, just keep it in coffee mug or non-transparent disposable cup and no one will ask.

I like that tip. It will look like I'm drinking a Coca Cola from a drink fountain and not a Jack and Coke.

[kellyfrost]

yeah its generally okay but to be safe, just keep it in coffee mug or non-transparent disposable cup and no one will ask.

I like that tip. It will look like I'm drinking a Coca Cola from a drink fountain and not a Jack and Coke.

[Mr. Blackacre]

It's a little frightening that this profession is ok enough with alcoholism that it's apparently considered acceptable to drink alone in your office at night. But whatever, carry on. I guess a glass of bourbon every now and then is better than snorting coke in the restrooms.

[SplitMyPants]

yeah its generally okay but to be safe, just keep it in coffee mug or non-transparent disposable cup and no one will ask.

That day—when it inevitably happens—will be my low.

[kellyfrost]

It's a little frightening that this profession is ok enough with alcoholism that it's apparently considered acceptable to drink alone in your office at night. But whatever, carry on. I guess a glass of bourbon every now and then is better than snorting coke in the restrooms.

Is that alcoholism? Or wouldn't you need more facts. Anyway, you should try a nightcap in your office alone. It is the best way to wind down a long work day.

[kellyfrost]

yeah its generally okay but to be safe, just keep it in coffee mug or non-transparent disposable cup and no one will ask.

That day—when it inevitably happens—will be my low.

It's actually quite enjoyable and I think it would help your mental well being which could improve your work product.

[zot1]

It's a little frightening that this profession is ok enough with alcoholism that it's apparently considered acceptable to drink alone in your office at night. But whatever, carry on. I guess a glass of bourbon every now and then is better than snorting coke in the restrooms.

I drink wine every now and then in the evenings at home. Some people don't get to be at home in the evening. I don't see the big deal. It's not like they were asking if they could take shots of tequila to get through the night or something...

[TheSpanishMain]

It's a little frightening that this profession is ok enough with alcoholism that it's apparently considered acceptable to drink alone in your office at night. But whatever, carry on. I guess a glass of bourbon every now and then is better than snorting coke in the restrooms.

I'm not sure you know what alcoholism is. There's a big difference between having a nightcap and getting wrecked.

I mean, I personally wouldn't do it but I wouldn't assume someone who did occasionally had a drinking problem

[rpupkin]

Any anecdotes or info is welcome.

In my office, consuming alcohol alone at your desk—in the evening—is fine, so long as you're working on something that isn't time-critical. I personally don't do this, but I know of a few partners and a couple of associates who do.

If you had a filing deadline at midnight and were drinking, that would raise more than a few eyebrows.

My general advice is don't drink at your desk until you have a firm sense that the office culture doesn't disapprove.

[rpupkin]

It's a little frightening that this profession is ok enough with alcoholism that it's apparently considered acceptable to drink alone in your office at night. But whatever, carry on. I guess a glass of bourbon every now and then is better than snorting coke in the restrooms.

I'm not sure you know what alcoholism is. There's a big difference between having a nightcap and getting wrecked.

Ironic. I'm not sure you know what alcoholism is either. Hint: It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with getting "wrecked."

[Anonymous User]

At PW they have in office happy hours every Friday at like 5, where you get awesome alcohol then go back to work. I'm sure it is fine there, but like others have pointed out, probably varies firm to firm, although I can't imagine anybody being THAT pissed that an associate has a beer or so in their office at like 8 pm.

And I have seen associates have alcohol at lunches and bill it to the firm, as well.

[rpupkin]

At PW they have in office happy hours every Friday at like 5, where you get awesome alcohol then go back to work.

NYC big law is so, so depressing.

[zot1]

At PW they have in office happy hours every Friday at like 5, where you get awesome alcohol then go back to work.

NYC big law is so, so depressing.

[SplitMyPants]

yeah its generally okay but to be safe, just keep it in coffee mug or non-transparent disposable cup and no one will ask.

That day—when it inevitably happens—will be my low.

It's actually quite enjoyable and I think it would help your mental well being which could improve your work product.

Oh believe me, I'm not opposed to the idea. Just spent the day working on finals memos drinking by the pool.


It's just the thought of drinking bourbon neat, out of something like this:



At work... On a tuesday...

[Mr. Blackacre]

It's a little frightening that this profession is ok enough with alcoholism that it's apparently considered acceptable to drink alone in your office at night. But whatever, carry on. I guess a glass of bourbon every now and then is better than snorting coke in the restrooms.

I'm not sure you know what alcoholism is. There's a big difference between having a nightcap and getting wrecked.

Ironic. I'm not sure you know what alcoholism is either. Hint: It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with getting "wrecked."

Yeah. I'm sorry, but imo dealing with the pressure of working long hours by having a nightcap in your office on a regular basis is not an indicator of a healthy relationship with alcohol. Given the prevalence of alcoholism in this profession, particularly of functioning alcoholism, I find it weird that it's considered totally fine to drink in your office. It muddles the separation between work/home, and makes it much easier for people to escalate their consumption. Not to mention the stigma re: professionalism.

For me, that's completely different from drinking in a social setting like a happy hour, or at home. Maybe that's a pointless distinction and I'm just a prude.

[kellyfrost]

It's a little frightening that this profession is ok enough with alcoholism that it's apparently considered acceptable to drink alone in your office at night. But whatever, carry on. I guess a glass of bourbon every now and then is better than snorting coke in the restrooms.

I'm not sure you know what alcoholism is. There's a big difference between having a nightcap and getting wrecked.

Ironic. I'm not sure you know what alcoholism is either. Hint: It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with getting "wrecked."

Yeah. I'm sorry, but imo dealing with the pressure of working long hours by having a nightcap in your office on a regular basis is not an indicator of a healthy relationship with alcohol. Given the prevalence of alcoholism in this profession, particularly of functioning alcoholism, I find it weird that it's considered totally fine to drink in your office. It muddles the separation between work/home, and makes it much easier for people to escalate their consumption. Not to mention the stigma re: professionalism.

For me, that's completely different from drinking in a social setting like a happy hour, or at home. Maybe that's a pointless distinction and I'm just a prude.

Do you practice?

[kellyfrost]

yeah its generally okay but to be safe, just keep it in coffee mug or non-transparent disposable cup and no one will ask.

That day—when it inevitably happens—will be my low.

It's actually quite enjoyable and I think it would help your mental well being which could improve your work product.

Oh believe me, I'm not opposed to the idea. Just spent the day working on finals memos drinking by the pool.


It's just the thought of drinking bourbon neat, out of something like this:



At work... On a tuesday...

LOL! Good point. But I will tell you from experience, it still tastes the same regardless of the cup it come from.

Maybe I'm just used to it. As a bachelor I drank wine out of styrofoam cups.

[Mr. Blackacre]

It's a little frightening that this profession is ok enough with alcoholism that it's apparently considered acceptable to drink alone in your office at night. But whatever, carry on. I guess a glass of bourbon every now and then is better than snorting coke in the restrooms.

I'm not sure you know what alcoholism is. There's a big difference between having a nightcap and getting wrecked.

Ironic. I'm not sure you know what alcoholism is either. Hint: It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with getting "wrecked."

Yeah. I'm sorry, but imo dealing with the pressure of working long hours by having a nightcap in your office on a regular basis is not an indicator of a healthy relationship with alcohol. Given the prevalence of alcoholism in this profession, particularly of functioning alcoholism, I find it weird that it's considered totally fine to drink in your office. It muddles the separation between work/home, and makes it much easier for people to escalate their consumption. Not to mention the stigma re: professionalism.

For me, that's completely different from drinking in a social setting like a happy hour, or at home. Maybe that's a pointless distinction and I'm just a prude.

Do you practice?

A quick look at my brief posting history would tell you that I am still in law school. Please feel free to explain how everything is so different after a few years in biglaw, and how law students cannot possibly understand the pressure/resentment/[whatever] that results from the unpredictability and long hours.
I can tell you though that I worked in a non-legal role at a law firm before going to law school, and that you definitely could not drink in your office. So I know I'm not entirely crazy.