Born to Network

I knew there was a reason why I moved to Austin- okay, well maybe a few, but in addition to being the “live music capital of the world” and other great attributes, this has got to be the best place I’ve found for networking Happy Hours. Not just half off drinks & apps but genuinely good business networking and interesting conversation. Nereus specializes in representing high tech companies and associations so this is where I first tested the waters, or… um martinis, and it turns out that they are some of the best parties in town- if you favor some techie conversation with your after work cocktail. Here are some High Tech Happy Hour hot spots we’ve discovered- please chime in and share your favorite tech events and happy hour gathering spots.

Austin High Tech Happy Hours — Calendar of events for Nereus Austin in the upcoming month:

• Door 64 High Tech Happy Hour (Monthly)
• Austin Innovators and Entrepreneur Series — Austin has an awesome Chamber of Commerce with various monthly networking events connecting the tech community- this particular series is sponsored by IBM
• Drinks on Dorsey- By Invitation (Monthly); John Dorsey with Strasburger & Price, LLP treats a great crowd of networkers to drinks once a month at Austin’s W Hotel
  
• Austin High Tech Happy Hour (Monthly)
• Clean Energy Beers - Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que (Monthly)
• MobileMonday Austin — (Monthly)

Portland Happy Hours- These are some options from our team in Portland:

• Schmooze — Presented by Harlo Interactive (Monthly)
• SEM PDX Rooftop Networking Party 2011 (September 16)
• Beer and Blog (Every Friday starting at 4 p.m.)
• YPOP Last Tuesday (Monthly)
• #Driven After Hours Networking (Bi-Monthly)
• SAO’s TechIgnite! (September 15)

Silicon Valley Happy Hours- Scott Smyers at Sunrise Digital Strategies and Irmgard Lafrentz, Globalpress Connection, among other friends and colleagues in the Silicon Valley, contributed these recommendations for High Tech Happy Hour watering holes:

• Faultline Brewing Co, Sunnyvale
• The Old Pro, Palo Alto
• Tied House Brewery, Mountain View
• BJ’s Restaurant & Brew House, Cupertino
• Britannia Arms, Cupertino
• Santana Row, San Jose — many pubs, but the whole street is a networking opportunity
• Rock Bottom Brewery, Campbell

Enjoy and let us know your favorite spots for after work High Tech Happy Hours- we’d love to compile and share a list for the whole country.