5 Weekly Events to Boost Your Bar’s Traffic and Sales

Running a successful bar is more than just serving great drinks; it’s about creating experiences that keep customers coming back for more. Weekly events can turn your slower nights into regularly packed evenings, increasing both patronage and sales. If you’re looking for ways to attract new customers and increase revenue, these five weekly events can help you stand out. 

1. Musical Bingo (aka Music Bingo)

Musical Bingo, or Music Bingo, is the perfect way to engage your customers with the dynamic duo of music and competition. Instead of numbers, players mark off songs on their bingo cards. The DJ plays snippets of popular songs, and if it matches something on their card, they check it off.  Just like traditional bingo, the first person to get a row, column, or full card wins!

Why Music Bingo Works:

• Mass Appeal: Everyone loves music, so Music Bingo has a universal appeal, and adding an element of competition keeps people playing longer and coming back for more. Whether you’re playing 80s classics, 90s hip-hop, or today’s chart-toppers, there’s something for everyone.
• Minimal Setup: You only need a playlist, bingo cards, and a host with good energy. There are also apps available now that allow people to play from their phones. Since people are already in your venue to drink and socialize, the game gives people even more to talk about and connect over.
• Increased Sales: Music Bingo keeps customers entertained for longer periods of time, encouraging them to order more food and drinks as the game progresses. Additionally, the sense of competition encourages groups to stick around to see who will win.
• Regulars: By hosting a weekly Musical Bingo night, you can create a loyal crowd who comes back every week just for the game.

To spice things up and target more specific audiences depending on your bar’s clientele, you can offer drink specials or themed Music Bingo nights, like “90s Throwback” or “Country Hits,” to attract specific demographics.

2. Trivia Nights

Trivia nights are another great event to keep on your weekly roster. The team aspect ensures you’ll be bringing in not just individuals but groups, and the competitive nature of trivia keeps customers at your bar longer ordering drinks and food. 

Why Trivia Nights Work:

• Variety: Like Music Bingo, trivia is flexible and can be themed around anything from pop culture to sports, history, or even local trivia, creating opportunities for repeated attendance.
• Increased Revenue: Teams will likely stay for the entire duration of the trivia game, meaning they’ll order multiple rounds of drinks and food throughout the night.
• Team-Based Fun: Trivia is a great way to bring groups into your venue. People often come in teams, meaning your tables fill up quickly. Plus, the social aspect keeps them engaged and talking for hours.

Consider offering bar tabs or gift cards as prizes to incentivize participants to come back. You can also partner with local businesses for prizes, giving you an additional layer of community engagement.

3. Karaoke Nights

Karaoke nights have long been a staple of bar entertainment. They’re fun and interactive, and they allow your patrons to be the star of the show as well as the adoring fan, or even music critic. You don’t have to be a professional singer to enjoy karaoke, which makes it accessible to everyone.

Why Karaoke Works:

• Customer Engagement: Karaoke encourages everyone to participate, whether they’re singing or cheering on their friends. It helps break the ice in social settings and can make even the shyest customers feel at home singing their favorite songs out loud in front of a live audience.
• Low-Maintenance: Hosting karaoke is relatively low-cost. All you need is a karaoke machine, some good speakers, and a screen to display lyrics. Many companies offer mobile apps that sync with your system, eliminating the need for extensive hardware.
• Repeat Business: Karaoke regulars are often loyal. If they know your bar is the place for karaoke, they’re likely to return week after week with friends in tow.

Make your karaoke night even more special by offering themed events, like “80s Karaoke,” or special incentives for participants, like discounted drinks for singers.

4. Open Mic Nights

Open mic nights are a wonderful way to bring local talent into your bar while giving your customers live entertainment for free. Whether it’s poetry readings, stand-up comedy, or acoustic music performances, open mic nights add a personal and community-focused touch to your venue’s weekly lineup.

Why Open Mic Nights Work:

• Local Artists Draw a Crowd: Every performer brings their own circle of friends and family, meaning you can rely on the local community to help fill seats. With consistent open mic events, you’ll likely see repeat customers as those circles expand.
• Low-Cost Entertainment: You don’t have to pay for a full band or DJ. Open mic nights allow you to provide entertainment while giving local artists a platform to hone their craft.
• Unique Atmosphere: Open mic nights can create a relaxed, creative vibe in your bar. They offer something different from the usual bar experience and can help you stand out from other local establishments.

To maximize the appeal, consider hosting genre-specific open mics, like a “Comedy Open Mic” or “Acoustic Night.” You can also create partnerships with local music schools or comedy groups to ensure a steady stream of performers.

5. Industry Nights

Industry Night is a great way to support and entertain other service industry workers. Typically held on Sunday or Monday, this event offers special deals for bartenders, servers, cooks, and anyone else working in the restaurant or bar industry.

Why Industry Night Works:

• Targeted Marketing: Industry workers are usually off on Sunday or Monday nights, which are traditionally slower for bars. Offering them discounts is a great way to boost traffic on these days. 
• Word of Mouth: Service industry workers know other service industry workers. If you create an inviting environment with great deals, they’ll spread the word within their network, helping you build a loyal customer base.
• Fosters Community: By offering a space for industry folks to relax and socialize, you create a welcoming atmosphere that builds goodwill within the local bar and restaurant community.

For Industry Night, you can offer drink specials, discounts on food, or even special events like speed bartending competitions. The key is to make the night feel like a reward for those hard-working individuals who usually spend their time on the other side of the bar.

Final Thoughts

These five weekly events, Musical Bingo, Trivia Nights, Karaoke, Open Mic, and Industry Nights, are excellent ways to breathe new life into your bar and keep your customers coming back week after week. Each event appeals to a different type of customer, so mixing up your schedule can ensure you have something for everyone.

By regularly hosting engaging events, you’ll not only boost traffic but also create a sense of community around your venue. Be sure to market your events well on social media, through flyers, and even by partnering with local businesses to ensure maximum reach. With the right combination of fun and strategy, your bar can thrive in even the most competitive markets. 

Check out Good Thomas Entertainment for a comprehensive list of Musical Bingo nights in Colorado, Massachusetts, and more!