Throughout its run, Mad Men featured some memorable and wild office parties at Sterling Cooper. Now, all episodes of the Emmy-winning AMC series are available in 4K on HBO Max, letting both longtime fans and newcomers enjoy the show’s depiction of the advertising world in the 1960s.
Though set over 60 years in the past, the characters in Mad Men – particularly Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and those at Sterling Cooper – often feel like they exist in a world of their own. The constant smoking, heavy drinking, and dismissive treatment of women in the office highlight just how different things were – and how far we’ve come.
Sterling Cooper often hosted or attended events outside the office. One particularly notable occasion was Don Draper’s 40th birthday party, featured in the opening episode of Mad Men season 5. His wife, Megan (played by Jessica Pare), surprised him with a performance of “Zou Bizou Bizou,” which he found both embarrassing and upsetting.
Sterling Cooper hosted three incredibly memorable parties at their offices – events that would be totally inappropriate for today’s workplaces. Here’s a ranking of all three wild gatherings:
3. “Christmas Comes But Once A Year”
Mad Men Season 4, Episode 2
Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce was planning a simple, inexpensive Christmas party. However, when their most important client, Lee Garner Jr., unexpectedly arrived, they had to quickly switch gears and throw a much more extravagant celebration. Joan Harris made a statement, turning heads in a stunning red dress.
To win over the head of Lucky Strike, Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce threw a lavish party complete with a conga line and free-flowing drinks. They even went the extra mile to buy Lee Garner a new Polaroid camera. As a result, Garner callously made Roger Sterling dress up as Santa Claus and hand out Lucky Strike cigarettes as party favors.
The Christmas party in Mad Men season 4 is unique because it’s the only office event where spouses and partners are invited, including Pete Campbell’s wife, Trudy, and Mark Kearney. Peggy Olson’s boyfriend was also in attendance. Interestingly, Christmas 1964 marked the only Sterling Cooper party Don Draper went to… though he didn’t stay for long.
Don quickly became intoxicated and required his secretary, Allison (Alexa Alemanni), to unlock his apartment for him. This resulted in a regrettable affair with Allison, which caused her to resign. However, her departure created an opportunity for Don to meet Megan, who replaced Allison as his secretary and eventually became his wife.
2. “Nixon Vs. Kennedy”
Mad Men Season 1, Episode 11
In November 1960, while the partners at Sterling Cooper watched the Nixon-Kennedy election results at home, the office staff had their own election party. When they started to run out of drinks, Joan stepped in and opened the office supply closet to keep the celebration going.
The “Nixon vs. Kennedy” episode from the first season of Mad Men featured a lot of inappropriate behavior, particularly from the male advertising executives towards the female secretaries. A surprising romantic encounter occurred between the married Harry Crane and Pete Campbell’s secretary, Hildy.
The election night party at Sterling Cooper featured a surprisingly pointed play written and performed by Paul Kinsey, which seemed to air complaints about his coworkers, including Ken Cosgrove. During the performance, Joan shared a kiss with Salvatore Romano, leading her to question his sexuality.
The party following the Nixon-Kennedy debate left Sterling Cooper a mess – people were drunk and either passed out or full of regret. However, it wasn’t even the wildest party the office had ever seen.
1. “Guy Walks Into An Advertising Agency”
Mad Men Season 3, Episode 9
The office party in Mad Men season 3 was the wildest event Sterling Cooper ever hosted, and it’s unforgettable. Meant to both welcome the new owners, Putnam, Powell and Lowe, and say goodbye to Joan Harris, the party took a bizarre turn when someone crashed a lawnmower into the festivities.
The staff at Sterling Cooper were already disappointed that their Fourth of July plans had been cancelled for this event, and it turned out the partners were celebrating too soon. Putnam, Powell and Lowe brought in Guy MacKendick (played by Jamie Thomas King) to manage the newly reorganized firm on behalf of their British owners.
Although everyone was a bit down, the office party was going smoothly until Lois Sadler (Crista Flanagan) impulsively hopped on a John Deere lawnmower that Ken Cosgrove had brought in. In what is arguably the most shocking and disturbing scene in Mad Men, Lois accidentally ran over Guy’s foot with the lawnmower, causing blood to spray onto those nearby.
I couldn’t believe Don skipped the craziest office party we’d ever had! While everyone else was dealing with that whole foot injury – seriously, it was awful and ended up needing amputation – he was off meeting with Conrad Hilton, our new client. It was a tough situation, and it basically meant the old firm, Putnam, Powell and Lowe, was finished. That’s how things fell apart and ultimately led to us becoming Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. It was a wild time!
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2025-12-12 21:52