A colleague invites you to a "5 à 7": what is it? No mystery: in Quebec, a "cinq à sept" is a gathering of colleagues or friends for a drink in the late afternoon, between 5 and 7 p.m. It is the Quebec version of happy hour, as Tourisme Montréal describes it and as Quebec's language office defines it (in French).
What happens there. You have an aperitif — wine, beer, or a cocktail — often with finger foods. Many bars and restaurants offer "5 à 7 specials" (discounts on drinks) after work. A 5 à 7 can also be organized around an event: a book launch, an art opening, a networking cocktail.
A fun detail: the meaning is not the same in France. In France, "cinq à sept" originally referred to a late-afternoon romantic rendezvous. In Quebec, there is no such hidden meaning: it is simply after-work drinks. If you are invited to a 5 à 7, it is a drink among colleagues, nothing more.
Why it helps to know the code. The 5 à 7 is one of the easiest ways to socialize in Quebec — at work and among friends. It is casual: you stay an hour or two, leave whenever you like, and you do not have to drink alcohol (a mocktail or a coffee works perfectly).
Good to know for newcomers. If a colleague says "let's do a 5 à 7," it is a friendly invitation to grab a drink after work — a great chance to build connections. For the rest of the social codes here, see our guide to politeness and cultural codes in Quebec.
