Providing entertainment at your restaurant is vital in standing out from the crowd, attract new customers, encourage repeat business as well as helping your restaurant build a lasting reputation in your community. These are some great, proven, restaurant entertainment ideas to help you get started adding something to remember to your business.
ADD AN ARCADE CABINET OR TWO
Everyone loves an arcade cabinet. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t crowd around an arcade game the first chance they get. For those old enough they give some of the best nostalgia hits, and for more youthful customers they’re a fun retro novelty. And as a bonus. some of the games are actually good! A lot of games found on arcade cabinets are two-player, making them great for socialising, encouraging guests to stay and continue ordering drinks without even taking up a table. You can also choose whether to have a traditional cost-per-game or make it free to play to keep people longer. It all depends on your clientele.
OFFER BOARD GAMES
If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, and you have the tables for it, board games . You’ll need the space to keep a healthy library of classics and lesser known titles to pique peoples interest. Board games are great ice breakers for dates, work outings and meeting friends of friends. They are also a great family activity and many parents will appreciate an activity for their kids that doesn’t involve a screen. Board games are of course mostly made of card and paper, so damage can happen easily, especially when drinks or flowing, so it is usually wise to charge per table/per head to play to cover repairs and replacements.
HAVE CRAFT BEER TASTING
Craft beers exploded in popularity a few years ago and have showed no signs of fading any time soon. There are connoisseur and enthusiasts in every city who are always looking for opportunities to try new beers and compare local microbrews. Identify which night might be one your quiter, have a special offer for beer flights and you’ll find beer lovers in to sample the latest brews they can’t find anywhere else. And hopefully find a few new regulars of your own.
HOST A SPECIALTY COCKTAIL NIGHT
People love a cocktail, especially groups, and cocktails that aren’t normally available are even better. A Special Cocktails Night works as a one-night special, but it works just as well, if not better, as an opportunity to try out a few cocktail ideas and see what’s popular and what needs changing without having to add them to your menu, only to take them away again if they don’t work out.
HIRE A FLAIR BARTENDER
Speaking of special cocktail nights, a flair bartender will really make it extra special for your guests as flair bartending is usually saved for private events. As well as well being something different and a special bit of entertainment it’s a great way of selling more cocktails and keeping your guests mind on the drinks.
CREATE A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
An area very similar to a photobooth, but with more space to improvise and use any props provided. Not too many restaurants will have an area just for pictures or a photobooth, so it will definitely stand out as something different. Be sure to provide some small props (speech bubbles, glasses on sticks etc) for a bit of extra variety. Always encourage any pictures to be shared on social media with custom hashtags to act as some ongoing advertising for your business.
SHOWCASE A LOCAL ARTIST
Replace your usual decor with work by a local artist and offer them for sale. Promoting an independent artist will transform your venue into a pop-up art gallery for a special one-off event. Guests can peruse the artwork while waiting for meals and sampling beer flights and cocktails. It would be mutually advantageous for yourself and the artist and if it goes well, partnering for future events could become a very real option.
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Hello bookingninja.io owner, You always provide great insights.