Question:
What are some new and fresh ideas to bring patrons in to my bar that other bars wouldn't have?
idontknow
2009-12-01 10:27:16 UTC
I am considering taking a bar management position for a bar that I have bar tended for for over 3 years. It is in a town that is up and coming with a lot of new bars to compete with. For the longest time our bar was the only choice of a bar to go to besides Applebee's or Chili's. I have tons of regulars that come in to see me and take care of me but recently haven't worked a lot because of maternity leave. To make a long story short because I stopped working there as much and the new bar choices in the area the service and clientèle went down hill tremendously. My challenge is to bring back the great service and attempt to offer new and exciting things that the other bars don't offer. I need ideas besides karaoke and pool tables. I need something special!!!!!!!!!!!
Other bars offer that we will still offer:
Live bands
Happy Hour
Big Screen T.V.'s
Over 100 Different types of beers to choose from
Beer club that offers free t-shirt and a picture plaque of your accomplishment (for trying all the beers)
Other bars offer that we aren't able to offer:
Bigger area to accommodate a dance floor
bigger stage for bands
UFC Fights
All other bars are in the same area ( near each other)
We are in old downtown which is on the other side of town. Why would people choose to come to our bar and drive downtown as opposed to going to the bar that is closer and near everything else?
Ten answers:
anonymous
2009-12-01 10:46:44 UTC
My best advice is to forget about being all things to all people. If you're going to have live music; be the best live music joint. If you're going to be a sports bar, be the best sports bar.



Why would you want 100 beers to choose from? It's a logistical nightmare, managing the lines, the menu, the prices - forget it! Have 3, maybe 4 beers on tap and do them right. I'm not saying you can't have some unique or diverse beers - but have them in bottles, and keep it below a dozen.



UFC fights? Is that really the clientele you want to cater to? Why not the martini crowd? Why not be a whiskey/cigar bar?
kovie
2016-11-06 10:04:30 UTC
New Bar Ideas
?
2015-08-15 07:42:32 UTC
This Site Might Help You.



RE:

What are some new and fresh ideas to bring patrons in to my bar that other bars wouldn't have?

I am considering taking a bar management position for a bar that I have bar tended for for over 3 years. It is in a town that is up and coming with a lot of new bars to compete with. For the longest time our bar was the only choice of a bar to go to besides Applebee's or Chili's. I have...
Presidente
2009-12-01 14:55:28 UTC
That all depends on your clientele's demographics (age, interests, income, etc) but in general I would recommend Ping Pong and Beer Pong/Beirut tournaments. New fun games that not all bars have gotten into. I see great success with our two bars in town that offer these tournaments. Even just having ping pong or beer pong tables would help.
Diana
2009-12-01 14:20:02 UTC
My absolute favorite bar is all the way across town and away from any other bars. I will still go there every time I go out. This place is a little hole in the wall. But with that being said, they have live bands on the weekend, karaoke, free popcorn, pool tables, and they also host charity events to collect funds for things such as the angel tree program or feeding the homeless. I also like the idea of having a wii night during the middle of the week.
Peter R
2009-12-01 14:04:17 UTC
Wii bowling os popular here at my local place, it's good for tuesdays and wednesdays. Also, I agree with those above who want you to decide what type of bar would you like it to be.



MySpace and Facebook are good to get the word out on Promo's and things like that. Get your bartenders on there too, they can promote for you.



Lastly it is my experience that wherever girls go guys will follow. Cater to the women : )
?
2009-12-01 12:36:41 UTC
I know a bar that had Wii nights with bowling and other games. It was a lot of fun and it is great to play on a big screen. They ran it on wednesday nights and it did really well for a mid week event. Be careful of making beer too cheap or you get guys who come in for $2 PBRs, drink four in an hour and leave a $2 tip. You really don't need guys like that who are likely to get a DUI or who drink at your bar because they can't drive anymore.



Depending on where you are, the Island Oasis Machines are really great for frozen drink specials. You can get $7-$10 a drink and they are also good for non alcoholic drinks.



A big money maker are those Megatouch MAXX video games. You can buy them off of Ebay for $500-$1500 and then the will pull in $100-$200 a week-- cash. The really good ones will also have a internet connection so you can use them as a video juke box too, but you will need a vendor to split the cash every month. I know a guy who was pulling in $500/week just on the music.



http://cgi.ebay.com/Megatouch-Maxx-Video-Game_W0QQitemZ260514940580QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_2?hash=item3ca7e686a4



I think the 100 beers idea is ok but it is a lot of work to keep them in stock all the time. 20 is usually enough to bring in the folks who are looking for variety and 20 beers for a t-shirt is a bit more fair than 100. Also you don't want the bartenders to spend ten minutes to find the beers that are tucked away in a corner somewhere or run to the back up cooler during a rush.



One of my favorite bars has a big popcorn machine that is free and self serve. For 10 cents worth of popcorn, you get someone who sticks around for a second or third beer. Little salty snacks are really worth it and creates a lot of good will for your customers. I knew one bartender that brought his own big thing of goldfish crackers to give to the customers and he made a lot more than what he spent on return customers and better tips. In the bar biz we often call this kind of thing Meow mix. Check out Costco or other type stores to buy that stuff in bulk.



Also look at the lighting in your place. Is it too dark, too bright? would you take a date there? Those disco balls are very retro but people really like them if you are not running them all the time. Make sure the womens bathrooms are spotless with a good mirror and lighting for women to do touch ups. I've seen nice places that had cheap TP and women just will not go back there.



Aside from live bands, a good DJ can get a place hopping for a lot less than a live band. People drink more with DJs because they are not standing around looking at the band. They are dancing and drinking. If you have a dance floor, get a 6" shelf going around it at elbow height so people have a place to set their drinks. High small tables about 24" across are also good for people who are standing and drinking at the same time.
lolatya
2009-12-01 10:56:18 UTC
I agree with Busted. Pick a style of bar and be the best one around.
anonymous
2009-12-01 10:52:16 UTC
Congrats on the new baby. Have you tried to advertise that your back?? I would post it on my myspace when Im working pass out flyer's see if your owner would let you give out cards that have the value of one free happy hour drink. Just to get people in there they don't have to be old customers....trust me if your a awesome bartender people will drive to see YOU not to go to the bar and get drunk but to visit. I use to have customers drive across town to see me and I was only waitressing. Yall could try doing is a free wing buffet night with cheap draft beer or cheap can beer or if not able to free then charge like 5 cents a wing. Good LUck!
happylapper1
2009-12-01 10:40:48 UTC
you could do a dart tournament. there easy to run, people win a decent amount of money if you get enough people to play. The boards pay for themselves, unless you have a crappy vendor. If your in Tampa or St Pete FL. I know a great vendor. Hope this helps


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