Summer is a great time to run promotions that are fun, light, and breezy and can bring in new clients and their friends.
Bar marketing during the summer months lets you get as creative and whimsical as you like. People are looking for different ways to get out there and enjoy themselves. Reach your interested parties through their cell phones, social media networks, and directly in their inboxes.
Bolster your efforts by advertising directly in your establishment, too, through eye-catching flyers on the walls and frequent updates on your menu board.
Try these six bar promotion ideas perfect for the summer of 2023. You just might see new faces that will love the experience so much they’ll come back again and again, even well after the summer days are gone.
Invite Local Talent
Live music and standup comedy are two popular entertainment options to bring a little extra excitement to your establishment. Invite local up-and-coming musicians and comedians to perform on designated nights at your bar, brewery, lounge, pub, club, or wine bar.
Pay performers a modest amount and, in addition, set up a tip jar to help the local talent you hire earn more.
Advertise upcoming performances via direct emails, your social media posts, your website’s calendar or special events page, and print material (like posters and flyers) at your establishment.
Vary up the talent offerings for something new and different each week. Ideas include:
- Singers
- Solo musicians
- Bands
- Improv and other comedy acts
- Poetry readings
- Drag shows
- Jugglers and balancing acts
- Magicians and mentalists
- Dancers
- Fashion shows
- Skit performers
- Speed painters
- Specialty acts
You can even include an interactive, audience participation component. Have someone lead a singalong, for example, or invite a few audience members up for a dance contest.
Text “Summer Flavor of the Week”
Bar promotion and marketing ideas that revolve around seasonal flavors are always a hit. People want to try new flavors. They’ll even sign up for weekly texts announcing the new, upcoming flavor of the week.
Are peaches in season? Create a specialty drink that celebrates the deliciousness of this tasty summer fruit. Pair each specialty drink with a unique appetizer that goes along with the theme.
Your SMS marketing campaign can generate enthusiasm for not-to-be-missed seasonal flavors that are available for a limited time only. Give patrons the opportunity to opt-in or subscribe to get weekly texts advertising the latest, greatest summer flavors.
Run Social Media Trivia
Digital marketing for bars can be super creative!
In addition to using social media to advertise new drinks and menu offerings, keep your audiences engaged by posting trivia questions directly on your social network pages.
Trivia questions can be about almost anything, including:
- Summertime
- Local history and lore
- The history of beverages
- The process of brewing beer or making spirits and wine
- Random fun facts
- General trivia
- Popular culture
- Movies
- Music
- Sports
Keep those trivia questions coming—add a new one each day to hold people’s interest.
Email Seasonal Specials
Leveraging your email campaigns by advertising seasonal discounts and special offers directly through your patrons’ inboxes is a great way to put yourself front and center when people are making evening or weekend plans.
Emails can serve as a highly effective way to make your bar marketing ideas work for you. Experiment a little to come up with the right email message length, and the ideal frequency of emails, to bring you the best returns.
Schedule Themed Costume Nights
Halloween isn’t too far off. Get a head start on costumed festivities by scheduling themed costume nights as part of your summertime bar marketing campaigns.
Bar promotion ideas that include a visual component are very effective, and what’s more visible than patrons dressed up in creative costumes?
Designate one or two nights out of each summer month as a costume night, giving each specific date a unique theme. Ideas include:
- Pirates
- The Eighties
- Speakeasies
- Tropical
- Red Carpet
- Dance Party
- Superheroes
- Outer Space
You can even invite patrons to parade in a costume fashion show, with participants getting a coupon for a free drink on their next visit.
Create Specialty Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Attract mixed groups of drinkers and non-drinkers by being inclusive. In addition to offering specialty alcoholic drinks, reach out to designated drivers and anyone who wants to join friends for a fun night out without needing to drink.
Have your bartenders come up with specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and use all of your bar marketing channels to advertise these drinks.
The more inclusive and creative you get, the more people you’ll attract.
