With winter's approach - and the onslaught of holiday catalogs and storefront windows greeting us at every turn - only warm thoughts of sugarplums and holiday bonuses are keeping us from dreading the nightmare to come: the office Christmas party.

Who really enjoys these "mandatory fun" events? And what bland, sterile restaurant standbuy will play host to your company Yuletide celebration this year? Tavern on the Green? The Water Club? Let Gothamist make a more unusual (okay - bizarre) suggestion: Hope & Anchor in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Why should you and your colleagues traipse out to the wilds of Kings County to a small upscale diner? To embarass the heck out of them, of course. Take your office posse out for dinner on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night and starting at 9pm sharp, you'll be able to partake in Hope & Anchor's karaoke delights - additionally graced by their glamorous drag queen karaoke hostess Kay Sera. Imagine your boss belting out "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" or the guy in the next cubicle warbling a heartfelt version of "Take This Job and Shove It."

Let's face facts. These sort of performances would never materialize in Manhattan or even brownstone Brooklyn. Sometimes a trip to farther environs is necessary - in this case Red Hook. And, if you do decide to hit Hope & Anchor as a holiday destination, or simply an office field trip, we also recommend that you work on your rendition of the classic work angst tune "9 to 5." And, heck, maybe Kay will be wearing her Dolly wig that night!

Hope & Anchor
347 Van Brunt St. (at Wolcott St.)
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: (718) 237-0276