How to Get Customers to Frequent your Bar

Bars are on every corner. Especially in larger cities and on popular blocks. There’s room for you too, but you need to be crafty to set yourself apart.  Bright lights and signage like the Bud Light neon sign are a great start. Another strategy is to make it like a step above the average bar experience. Incorporate these next few tips to keep the regulars coming to your bar.

Have a specialty

It may be enough to just say you’re a bar. Or you could drill down your niche to get the regular customers you want. On the once popular sitcom, “Girlfriends”, Joan came up with the crazy idea to open a tapas bar. A bar where friends could meet up and have shareable plates of food while chopping it up over drinks. It seemed silly then, but eventually it worked out in her favor.

Your specialty should target the customers you want to attract. There have been businesses that fuse together pole dancing and drinks, nail and beauty bars, and even yoga and drinks. It could be as simple as a sports bar or a place for people to hit a few golf balls while enjoying a pint of beer. Set your bar apart from the ones around the corner with what you’re known for.

Attract bar customers with flashy decor

Coordinate this with the theme you choose for your bar. Decide if you want a rugged or high-end ambiance. Whatever the style, it should stand out and represent your bar. For instance, Hard Rock Cafe hangs vintage memorabilia from music artists. Also, don’t forget to have a well-lit open sign and Bud Light neon sign. People are naturally attracted to lights and colors.

Drink specials are a must

This seems like an easy one. Every bar or restaurant has some sort of special or happy hour. When it comes down to it, most customers just want a place to relax and have a good drink. If they can get more for their money, that’s even better. You could do different special each night or choose a popular drink to put on sale. The key is to let customers know you appreciate them.

Weekly activities

It doesn’t have to be Taco Tuesday, but you can come up with other days throughout the week to have activities. Host different games. Get couples to come in and play a dating game. Hire a talented local band to play live music. Partner with a nearby restaurant to offer food. Eating will encourage ordering drinks and spending more time at the bar.

The growing number of bars and restaurants demands edge for your business to survive. Whatever strategy you choose, have a goal to stand out. Offer a combination of specials, activities, and attractive surroundings to keep customers coming to your bar.