Year-end party or after-work: what employers should plan and what to ask the venue

By Antoine Cazals, CEO and founder of BookAfterwork.

Key points

• In France, the employer remains responsible for employees' health and safety, including at events it organises (Service-Public). Rules differ by country: check those that apply to you.
• France's INRS notes that a work drinks or party can take place off-site (rented room, bar, restaurant), but the rules differ depending on the venue (INRS).
• Three topics to prepare: alcohol, getting people home, including those who don't drink.
• If it isn't written in the quote, it isn't agreed: have drinks, times, access and cancellation terms spelled out.

This article gives practical guidance. It does not replace legal advice suited to your company.

1. Alcohol: decide before booking

Set your internal rule before contacting a venue: alcohol or not, quantities, last-service time. INRS publishes prevention advice for company parties every year (INRS).

Practical tips:

• serve food from the start, not only at the end;
• limit the open bar or use a drinks package or tokens;
• stop serving alcohol before the event ends;
• appoint one or two contact people on the organising side.

2. Getting employees home

Getting home matters from the moment you book, because the venue determines it: public transport, last train or metro, parking.

Depending on the venue and end time:

• choose a venue close to public transport;
• finish before the last public transport;
• arrange taxis or ride-hailing, or a shuttle through a transport provider;
• tell participants about return options in advance.

3. Inclusion: an evening for everyone

Not everyone drinks: health, religion, pregnancy, driving or simple choice. When the evening revolves only around the bar, part of the team is less likely to come. WHO Europe published a guide in 2026 on professional gatherings without alcohol.

Good practice:

• a real alcohol-free menu (mocktails, crafted soft drinks), not just water and sodas;
• an activity that doesn't rely on drinking: quiz, workshop, entertainment, games;
• a venue accessible to people with reduced mobility;
• times compatible with family commitments.

What to ask the venue to include in the quote

Compare several quotes on these same lines: price differences often come from what is or isn't included.

Find a venue and providers

On BookAfterwork, requests are free for companies: describe your evening, available venues reply according to their availability, and you receive their quotes. You can also contact providers for entertainment or transport, or browse venues.

Sources

• Service-Public (France), employer health and safety obligations: service-public.gouv.fr
• INRS, legal focus on work drinks and alcohol: inrs.fr
• INRS, company parties and alcohol consumption: inrs.fr