I've just taken over a pub. Any ideas on stuff we can do to bring the customers in?

Question

The pub was closed for three months. The previous landlady was a nightmare apparantly! We've had it three and a half weeks now.

We're thinking free bbq? Killer pool? Darts team?
Any other ideas to raise our profile a bit?
Thanks :0)

Answer 1

topless waitresses.

Answer 2

Serve filling, savory pub grub. Things like popcorn, peanuts in the shell, and tortilla chips with salsa are inexpensive enough to provide free, while breadsticks w/marinara dip, wings, pizza, etc would probably survive a nominal charge.

For publicity, contact the local radio station that serves your target clientele and ask them to do an on-site broadcast. The radio stations have lots of giveaway stuff that will bring in the crowds. The rest is up to you, to make sure that your waitstaff is upbeat and efficient, the beer is cold and of good quality, and the music suits the venue, so the folks will keep coming back.

You could also send out a special invitation to one local large employer a week, that this Friday's Happy Hour is dedicated to the hard-working employee's of ________ Company, and there will be a special light buffet (for 45 minutes or so after work) and separate seating just for them!. Change it up, and when you find a good response, include them in the mix on a more rapid rotation.
And good luck!

Answer 3

look into starting a dart league or pool league. You only need one or two tables and you can combine with other bars or pubs. Also, I'm not sure what contry you are in, but offer free shots for everytime your favorite(country) team makes a goal! Free happy hour food on a certain day for 2 hours and happy hour everyday at the same time for 3 to 4 hours. have a different beer special everyday. So whenever a beer is on that day, you'll get some fans in!

Answer 4

That's a complicated question. I agree with Veets though...what's your target market and what kind of neighborhood are you in? Also, what's your ultimate goal for the pub? Neighborhood hangout, Zagat rated, or somewhere inbetween?

Also, once you get 'em in, you've gotta make sure you're on top of your game so they'll not only keep coming back, they'll bring their friends, too!

Ladies' night might work if you're going for the singles crowd. Pool tournaments, football game watching parties, etc might work for the sports enthusiast crowd. The after work dinner crowd would be happier with a nice happy hour with discounted appetizers and an improved dinner menu. Those are just general ideas, but if you could be more specific, the answers people will post on here may be more specific to what you're aiming for.

Best of luck!

Answer 5

Neighborhood pubs only flourish if they are consistent. Be sure to do at least a few menu items really well. Customers are forgiving if some food goes wrong sometimes, but not all food all the times. Create buzz by importing some really neat beers on tap that you can't find in other pubs around your location. Also, cater to the singles. They are the ones that are out the most frequently. Make your hang-out the place to be for the hip, single, money-spending crowd. Advertise around universities and colleges. Have an exam special - reduced rates on food.

Good luck. I wish we had a cool pub in my neighborhood. :(

Answer 6

How about adding music- if it's an Irish Pub you could bring in Celtic music, etc. Or an open mic night for comedians or poets or readings.

Darts for teams and individuals - especially if the winners of a tournament get something (like a free t-shirt with your logo on it, free beer, etc.)

Think about what kind of place you want- a place where people meet each other every night/week--like a family pub, an after-work place for young yuppies to unwind, or do you want something with high turnover, huge crowds of folks. Based on what you select, you can craft your business around the idea.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Tough question. I would have to know what type of market you are in. Lot of college kids? lot of blue collars or white collars? brining in live entertainment is usually a good thing. Local bands have a following that will come to the show and increase your profile. Sponsoring softball teams is a good way too. Have a fundraiser, not only is it good for you but its for a good cause as well and brings out theb est in people. Help organize a poker run with some other local taverns maybe. Take advantage of warmer weather and have an outside pig roast and keg party. Be creative! Have some fun be a little unique and make a niche for yourself. Best of luck with your business, maybe fate will lead me to have a beer there someday! OOOH speaking of beer, its always good to have a local microbrewerys beer on tap!

Answer 8

Yeah, all those things...
Darts/Local Leaugue Team sponsored by bar.
Pool Table
Pinball Machines
Karaoke Nights
Beer Pong
Pizza by the slice.
Wings, 10/15 cent wing night.
Table top Video games (touch screen).
Big Screen TV for Sporting events.
Musician/folk song night (especially Scotch/Irish)

I'm sure any of those will help

Answer 9

You could do theme nights that appeal to different audiences so that you can increase your customer base.

For example . . ..

Monday Night-Football w/ 10 cent wings and happy hour beer prices for game time (just and example)

Tuesday-Family night, kids meals 1/2 off.

Wednesday-Ladies night. Ladies drink 1/2 price

So on and so forth. Also you could bring in Karakoe on Friday night. Also try playing a genre of music that really appeals.

Good Luck! I hope it works out for you.

Answer 10

i have 2 uncles that own bars. both are slamming and heres what they did. one is a biker bar my uncle got buckets of paint and rollers and the girls that drop their pants and dip in paint and put their *** print on the wall drink free all year (5 drinks a nite limit) after that they have to pay. The other has a out door shower on the back party deck and mud wrestling and the winning girls drink free all nite. they make up the diff charging a door fee of 3 bucks which men will gladly pay to see hot young girls mud wrestle.

Answer 11

well i know that this is something a restaurant does in my town they have an like cover charge and they pay for example $20 and from 6-9 all the drink are free as long as they pay the cover charge but the second after 9 then they have to pay normal prices it gives them a preview of what it to come if you will so i hope that helps and god bless