12 Bar Specials Ideas to Bring in Customers

Our 12 bar specials ideas will help you find inspiration on how you can raise the bar – on your bar – to bring in customers from far and wide: 

1. Unveil a Happy Hour
2. Spritz Up Your Cocktail Menu
3. Cause a Storm on Social Media
4. Monday’s the New Saturday!
5. Get Grooving
6. Retro Rebrand
7. Shake, Rattle, and Roll
8. Get Down with the Kids on TikTok
9. Man’s Best Friend
10. Super Bowl Specials
11. Share the Shaker
12. Designated Driver

There’s no better feeling than heading down to your local and sipping on a cold one after a hard day, right? In 2021, there were over 60,000 bar and nightclub businesses in the US, ¹ so it’s crucial that your marketing strategies are up to scratch to help your bar stand out in this crowded sector. We recommend bringing in some drink specials ideas to help your business boom. These ideas could range from special prices on certain drinks, themed nights, or even a décor twist.

1. Unveil a Happy Hour

Our first bar specials idea is to offer happy hours across the week or weekend to encourage sales. Offer 2-for-1 drink offers or special prices on certain days of the week to keep your customers happy.

Advertising these deals outside your bar could also attract passers-by and make your business look more attractive than competitors. Even better, why not advertise on social media to get those numbers rolling in?

2. Spritz Up Your Cocktail Menu 

One of the simplest but most creative ways to spice up your offerings is to introduce new special drinks ideas. Why not move away from your traditional menu and serve ice cold drinks with a seasonal twist?

In winter, branch out with a Winterberry Gin cocktail for some festive flavor or a Snowball Colada for those missing the beach. In summer, create new flavors like Red Rum Punch or a Blue Raspberry Mojito to recreate the 4^th July colors.

3. Cause a Storm on Social Media

Encourage your customers to post photos of their drinks with a hashtag unique to your bar.

Let’s face it, the social media craze isn’t going anywhere, so it’s important to capitalize on your online following. Engage with your followers and post details about opening hours, special offers, and new menu offerings to create some buzz around your bar.

You could also create a social media competition, where your followers could win free drinks or discounts at your establishment – a dash of competitive spirit never hurt anyone.

4. Monday’s the New Saturday

It’s a good idea to schedule deals and promotions on days that your bar tends to be less busy. This way you can increase your revenue all week long. If your bar is particularly quiet on a Monday, bring some excitement to the start of the week with some drink specials ideas. 

5. Get Grooving

There’s no better way to create an atmosphere in your bar than a live music event. Attract customers from all over the state to come down and dance at your bar. Good company. Good drinks. Good music. The perfect recipe for a thriving bar.

Advertise local bands and musicians playing at your bar to increase your street cred. This also helps to boost exposure for their music. You could even host an open mic night for guaranteed entertainment.

6. Retro Rebrand

Remember the good old days with a retro rebrand to encourage customers into your bar. Turn up the old jukebox, invest in some neon interiors, cover the bathrooms in vintage posters, and purchase a hefty retro pub sign to give your bar something special. Get customers through your door with funny bar signs.

7. Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Themed music nights can be a great way to bring people down to your bar. How about an Elvis tribute evening? Create some Elvis-inspired cocktails and load your jukebox with all his most iconic songs.

Advertise these evenings on social media to spread the word far and wide. Don’t forget to refresh your décor to suit the decade for your favorite American icon.

8. Get Down with the Kids on TikTok

Social media is becoming more interactive than ever with DIY reels skyrocketing in popularity. Why not implement a TikTok strategy where you create simple-to-follow recipe videos for your most popular drinks?

You don’t need to give all your secrets away but encouraging your customers to recreate your drinks at home can help to make your brand a household name. They could even post their creations to social media and tag your bar, increasing exposure of your delicious drinks.

9. Man’s Best Friend

It’s no secret that our furry friends make life just that little bit better. Imagine your bar full of lovable companions – what more could your customers want? Don’t forget to check your license and contract before you allow pets onto your premises. 

Offer fresh water and dog biscuits for any four-legged visitors to make them feel at home. You could even take the pet theme one step further with animal merchandise for your bar. Your customers could buy a keepsake to keep in their kitchen – that way they’ll be reminded of your business every day. 

10. Super Bowl Specials

Take a look at your marketing calendar and plan some marketing events to align with famous sporting occasions. Why not tackle Super Bowl 2022 with some new promotional ideas? You could have a special super bowl menu, with delicious bar snacks like wings, pizza, or calamari.

Go one better than your competitors and host a Super Bowl Party at your establishment. Serve great lagers and great company with the big game on your bar screens. Promote your party across social media to make sure that customers come to touch down at your place.

11. Share the Shaker

Another of our favorite bar specials ideas is to host a cocktail-making masterclass. This could be sold as a package for birthdays or celebrations, for individuals, or groups. Take your guests behind the bar and show them the secrets to your signature cocktails. Encourage them to go wild with the shakers, stirrers, and garnishes to create their own unique concoctions.

While they’re having the time of their lives, their family and friends will be snapping up some Insta-worthy shots that will help promote your bar – a win-win!

12. Designated Driver

Show your customers that you care about their safety. Offer them a free uber or cab home if they’re struggling to get home after drinking, to be sure that they don’t reach for their car keys. Not only are you doing that little bit extra to keep your neighborhood safe, but this kind touch will also be memorable to your customers.

Joining Groupon Merchant is a great way to provide your business with all the resources you need to attract customers to your bar. We offer some of the best advice in the business – what are you waiting for? Sign up today.

Sources:

1. https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/bars-nightclubs-united-states/