The good news is, the summer months are typically a boom time for bars and restaurants according to Houston Chron. Tourism increases and people are looking to enjoy a nice meal on a breezy patio. But this can also mean increased competition. If you want to make sure you are getting your share of the summer business and increase your foot traffic, be sure to follow these 5 tips:
You don’t have to do major renovations to improve your curb appeal and make your bar more inviting to passersby. Invest in some plants, floral arrangements and a simple sandwich board that can be placed on the sidewalk to advertise specials. If you have an outdoor seating area, fill it with fragrant seasonal flowers. People will be more attracted to your aesthetic and they will end up spending more time and money at your bar.
The beginning of summer is full of big premieres of new shows or popular events, such as the NBA Playoffs/Finals. A simple projector and screen can allow you to host watch parties and increase foot traffic. This provides patrons with the chance to watch their favorite shows and movies together, enjoy some drinks and take advantage of the warm summer evenings.
If you want to attract new people, appealing to pet owners is a good start. Post a welcoming sign on your front door, place water bowls out front and have a jar full of treats ready for your furry patrons. Pet lovers will appreciate being able to walk their dog to your bar and enjoy an evening with their animals.
You can even take things a step further and host pet-centered events and team with other bars to create dog bar crawls. Pet owners are a great target market, especially when they are outside, enjoying the summer weather.
Drinking habits tend to change with the seasons. During the summer, patrons will be looking for light, refreshing drinks that aren’t too sweet. Fortunately, there will be plenty of fresh fruits and herbs at your disposal, so get creative with your cocktail menu.
As you brainstorm ideas, remember to keep it simple. You don’t want to create too much extra work for a busy staff. Even one vodka-based drink with muddled strawberries and herbs can be enough to liven up your menu and appeal to your summer audience. You can also mix large batches of drinks like sangria and have them ready to serve as a time-saver.
The summer months also mean that breweries are putting out new seasonal flavors. You can boost sales and attract customers by hosting a tasting event that allows people to sample new on-tap summer flavors. While you can certainly organize a small event yourself, it might be a good idea to partner with local breweries. Invite them to have a representative onsite to answer questions, hand out marketing swag and promote their products.
Summer Marketing Strategies Begin Now
Just because summer tends to be the most profitable season for bars and restaurants doesn’t mean you don’t have to put effort into attracting new customers and increasing foot traffic. Putting extra energy into creating an inviting indoor/outdoor space, featuring seasonal fruity drinks and hosting an array of events will allow you to stand out from the competition.
You’ll have a better chance of retaining regulars and attracting tourists. With the right approach and marketing strategies, this could be your most lucrative summer so far. Cheers to summer!
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