need ideas to improve business with only a beer and wine tavern?

Question

I have a small beer and wine tavern in a small but growing town, I just need some ideas to help it stand on its own. I have painted, cleaned, brought in new lights and mirrors, kepted the prices as low as possible, ran specials, put ads in the papers, I have just ran out of ideas.

Answer 1

I don't know what state your in or how small your town is. But I have seen so many places here in South Florida and out in Colorado doing "Wine tasting on certain days and during certain hours. They bring in some different varieties, from different vineyards. Give them a taste free and then they want to buy more. Also can be done with beer, have another day when you taste different types of beer. If you serve food, have cheese and such with the wine and something equally to go with beer. The wine may attract the ladies and bring in the guys and the other way around on beer days. Advertise as a wine tasting, meet new people, etc whatever you see your town doing. You can even have a California wine night or a Colorado wine night. Upscale it a bit if you can like the newest thing from South beach or Hollywood Good luck hope this helped. Hard to know the crowd your working with

Answer 2

Easy.
A smile.

You can have the best decor, cheapest prices, most comfortable chairs, best selection of beers and wines, spend a fortune on advertising, have superb lighting and have 6 happy hours per day - but without a smile and a happy disposition you are wasting your time.

I used to own a hotel. I know how difficult it can be putting on a happy face all the time. Sometimes you feel just like a quiet night - but in your trade, unless you've got good staff, you will just have to learn to put on an act.

People are coming in to your bar for their leisure time. Not for a drink - they can buy that cheaper in Asda and drink it at home. They are coming in to be sociable and they don't want to see a miserable face and they certainly don't want to hear anything you may have to say - no matter what it is. They want to speak to you, it is you who has to listen and not correct them if you know they are talking a load of tosh.

This is the only way to be successful in the leisure industry.

Good luck

Answer 3

Have an open-mic, local talent or Karaoke night every Thursday.
Put out a nice buffet for happy hour. Sponsor local adult sports teams. Have a 'show'n'shine' car meet in the parking lot on Saturday afternoons. Have a 'ladies night' once a week. Have bands or a DJ on the weekends. Have a bar-b-que.

Answer 4

Do you have enough space to sponsor a volleyball tournament? Those always seem to draw a crowd. If you make it an annual event, it gives something to look forward to.

Also, consider dart and pool leagues or at least your bar patrons forming a team to compete with nearby places. Football season is coming up too. You might want to think about having 'parties' for whoever the local favorite is.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

Find something fun that the locals do. Hold a euchre or darts night.

We have a restaurant in town that has bocce ball. Another with pictures of all the locals dogs on the wall.

Everyone has bar food and drinks. What makes your bar more fun than the one down the street?

Answer 6

try a live band, pool tournament.my husband and i owned a tavern, and i tried to make it as homey as possible red check curtains,some comfy chairs,free pretzels on the bar on special occasions,peanuts in the shell,

Answer 7

Food is always worth looking at. From peanuts to full meals. Think about your target though. If you are aiming at students that's one thing, if you're aiming at business people they will pay for the right atmosphere and food.

Answer 8

kareoke
theme nights ie. disco night, the 60's
pool tournaments
dart tournaments
find out what people in the town are interested in!
wine testing

Answer 9

have bands, a good jukebox, TVs, maybe an outdoor deck ... and a good looking young female bartender never fails to bring in the men to your watering hole..