A successful bar: how to keep it packed all year round

Every bar owner knows a story about a venue that started out booming, super hot, but soon became outdated. So what does it take to run a successful bar that is packed all year round? 

When it comes to opening a bar, one of the first concerns is making it attractive. For that, you need to establish a brand and an atmosphere that are on trend. However, in many cases the place is packed in the first few months and then gradually loses customers. Did people get tired of it? Did another bar come along and grab the public's attention? Can you overcome that and keep your venue always on top? YES, YOU CAN! 

We went looking through data and expert analyses for what it takes to stay packed all year. Shall we? 

Do trends have an expiration date?

It depends. Some specific trends, often related to decor or niches, can be fleeting. Others, however, especially those related to behavior, are long-lasting, because they reflect general changes in society and in how people consume. 

Some examples that help illustrate this are objects that suddenly become fashionable at parties, bars and restaurants. They are usually items everyone wants to have, but that end up forgotten in a closet after a while. It happens a lot with decor too: symbols, drawings and decorative items that show up on the walls of living rooms or bars. Does anyone remember when the British flag and the mustache were everywhere, back in 2012? 

Trends that combine technology and social awareness, that bring convenience to the customer and to management, never go out of style because they follow changes in consumer habits. 

Best times of the year for bars

Some times of the year are better for the bar industry. Seasons such as summer, vacations or major events in the region always mean a full house. 

For example, bars in tourist areas will get more people in summer or during vacations, especially in coastal cities. The same happens in cities with a strong Carnival tradition or during the São João festivals, attracting many customers, whether locals or tourists, looking for fun. 

How to beat seasonality in bars

After your bar's high season, you notice that little by little the bar gets less busy, even on weekends. At those moments, you can feel a knot in your stomach and think, “now what?” 

With the right moves, your bar will always be buzzing, and even in the low season, your business will stay balanced. Check out 10 tips: 

1. Financial planning

This is one of the main factors for any business and should be done regularly, not just during high season. However, when it comes to seasonality, you need to plan financially to get through the slower periods. 

So, set aside part of the high-season profit and put together a careful financial plan . Consider fixed expenses, inventory costs and possible investments you may need to attract customers during the low season.

2. Good service

In any season, good service is a differentiator and can win over and retain customers. Make an effort to provide the best service possible, because there is a great chance that well-served customers will come back and even recommend your venue to others.

3. Customer loyalty

Think about strategies that bring customers back to your bar, regardless of the time of year. Many brands have opted for loyalty programs that offer promotions, discounts or freebies to customers who return. 

4. Creating themed events

On slow days, you can host themed events to attract customers. These events can be celebrations of specific dates that relate to your bar's theme. You can also hold events unrelated to dates, such as a ‘karaoke night’, parties built around a particular music genre, and so on. 

Be creative and take care with the decor, music and promotion. A good tip is to offer a discount on that specific day. Well-planned, well-promoted events attract people even if they are not held in high season. 

5. Happy hour and other promotions

Happy hour is an excellent way to attract customers on days and at times when the place is empty. Prepare some menu options and offer special prices, and don't forget to promote them on social media. You can also think of combos and other discounts that the public will love. 

6. Strong digital presence

Build out your business's social media and plan campaigns for each phase of the year. The internet is the main channel for your relationship with your target audience. 

During high season, share quality photos and develop content to win followers. That way, in the slower period, your bar will already have a strengthened presence. 

7. Updating the space and the menu

How about using the quieter periods to do some maintenance on the space? Assess what needs repair, see which equipment needs upgrading and, if possible, refresh the decor. Your bar's structure and decor make all the difference in attracting customers, but remember to plan financially and avoid spending more than you can. 

Periods with fewer customers can also be used to update the menu. You can see which food and drink recipes are not selling as well and perhaps remove them from the menu. You can also test new items and find out whether the public will respond well. 

8. Strategic partnerships

Building partnerships with other businesses can be very helpful so that seasonality doesn't hit you so hard. For example, depending on your bar's niche, you can partner with tattoo artists to offer a good price at an event, with illustrators and artists in general, and even with T-shirt shops or streetwear brands. 

9. Renting the space for events

One way to generate revenue in the low season is to rent your bar's space for events such as birthdays, weddings and even corporate events, taking your niche into account. You can put together a service package, such as the space, a special food and drink menu and, if possible, even musical acts that match the client's taste. 

10. Team training

Use the slower time to meet with your team and review weaknesses and strengths. Then offer training on the aspects that need improvement. That way, when high season arrives, excellence will have made its home at your bar. 

Spotting opportunities

When a business is managed efficiently, you can reap good rewards at any time of year. Having a strategic vision means learning from challenges and seeing the opportunities they can bring. 

Although seasonality demands careful financial management for the business to be sustainable, as well as cutting excessive costs, it can be a great time to run marketing campaigns and create initiatives that will build more customer loyalty. 

To wrap up, here is an opportunity to cut costs and attract your target audience through convenience: our myTapp self-pour draft beer system, which is now modular and can be customized to your venue's project. 

To learn more about the latest from the myTapp system, which are helping customers improve their revenue, just click the box below:

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