The term “Happy Hour” was coined in the US Navy and referred to a scheduled hour of relaxation when out at sea. Since then, it’s become an essential part of business for bars across the world. Studies have shown that bars have 33% more transactions and sell 26% more cocktails during happy hour.
This week, we’re going to look at some simple ideas about how you can attract the crowd and make your happy hour stand out!
Advertise, advertise, advertise
Get the word out there by making the most of display boards. Have fun with it, get creative, and if you can, get the help of someone artistic! Peg boards are another great way to draw the attention of your guests to options they might not usually consider, especially when you mix and match fonts and colours. Use social media and design hashtags that your guests can use when posting.
Make it special
Create a sense of urgency and exclusivity for your happy hours by offering specials that can only be had during that time. Play around with the time of your happy hours to drive traffic during those quieter periods in the day. Create themed happy hours like Tiki night, Roaring 20s night, or celebrate national/international drink days like National Tequila Day, or partner up with interest groups to arrange nights for a particular crowd.
Give great value
According to Statista, 46% of happy hour guests are attracted by cheap drinks and 41% by the price of food. So, be as generous as you can! You could offer complimentary side dishes or samples with certain drinks and make your signature cocktails more accessible by changing them up with different ingredients.
Cater to the community
Know your market and pay attention, keep a mental note of the customers that come regularly and what they enjoy, especially if they come in groups (as people usually do for happy hour). Make their decision about whether to get food or not easier by offering a miniature version of your full menu or shareable plates. Another great idea is to offer pairings, this can make the experience even more enjoyable and keeps it fresh for returning guests.
