Special Programming: How to Create It at Your Bar

Organizing special programming on holidays is one of the ways to drive business and stand out from the rest, all year round. Find out how!

One of the best ways for your business to succeed is by attracting new customers and building loyalty with existing ones, regardless of your industry.

If you're in the entertainment segment, creativity has to be even greater to stand apart from the rest, which is why it's important to keep a routine of new offerings and different ways to attract and win the public's preference.

It's not enough to just serve snacks and drinks and have good service; you need to offer more, like developing special programming to delight your customer. We're going to list here some dates you can use to boost your venue, plus different ways to engage your audience.

Make a calendar with the main festive dates

Much better than celebrating an important date is using it to make money, isn't that right? That's how the managers of bars, restaurants, gastrobars and nightclubs should think and act. Do you know the best dates and opportunities to make money in your line of business?

Start by putting together a schedule of important events you should highlight during the year, taking the opportunity to set up attractions and promotions that stand out, tailored to your audience's taste. Choose the best dates and turn all of this into a powerful marketing strategy.

Leia também: Marketing for restaurants and bars: practical guide + 15 tips

We're going to mention here some dates you can use to run distinctive campaigns at your establishment. One tip is to give a gift to customers who take part in more than three of the dates/campaigns organized at your establishment.

The options could be a free draft beer, a dish prepared by the house, or another offer to attract regulars and motivate participation in the other editions.

Some important dates you can use to organize special programming:

• Women's Day – March 8;
• Coffee Day -April 14;
• Friend's Day -April 18;
• Labor Day – May 1;
• Hamburger Day – May 28;
• French Fries Day – May 30;
• Valentine's Day -June 12;
• June Festival – June 24;
• Pizza Day – July 10;
• Beer Day – August 4
• Singles' Day – August 15;
• Customer Day – September 15;
• Ice Cream Day – September 23.

There are plenty of other dates you can take advantage of, like the ones specific to your city or region, for example, in addition to other important dates such as Carnival, Black Friday, Christmas, Easter and New Year's, creating different, special menus for families to celebrate.

Use creativity, innovation and technology to find out how to do things differently.

Leia também: Themed bars: why and how to invest in them

Make the most of seasonal opportunities

Beyond the commemorative dates we mentioned above, there's also the World Cup every four years. Anyone in the bar, gastrobar, restaurant and entertainment business can't let this opportunity go to waste. It's the moment we're living in, so put together special programming, such as:

• Plan everything in advance;
• Organize activities or special programming to set yourself apart from your competitors;
• Themed decor is always interesting. But do it professionally, without going overboard and in good taste;
• Rent a big screen to broadcast the games. Watch out for the quality of the sound and the picture;
• Put together a special menu, with distinctive options and prices;
• Adjust the work and the service according to the match times, especially those of the Brazilian national team;
• But there's no point doing all this and forgetting to promote it. Use your business's social media, run a broad and impactful campaign;

Leia também: Is a Cover Charge Mandatory? Here's What the Law Says

Vacations, corporate parties and the end of the year

Starting in November, companies begin organizing their end-of-year parties for employees. This is a good opportunity for businesses in the food, bar and entertainment industry to offer the best options for hosting these celebrations.

Providing a space separate from the other customers, or, depending on the number of people, closing the establishment for the private event, is very profitable.

Another important moment that calls for a strategy to attract the public is the vacation period, both work and university breaks, which drives heavy traffic to bars and nightlife venues. It's also the time when young people who live and study out of town come back to visit family, increasing the flow of people in the city.

If your business is located in a tourist city, then make the most of it because this is the best time of year. Put together special programming, have live music, offer a special menu for the commemorative dates, with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables. Create attractive decor, plus special events for Christmas and New Year's. This is the time to build up the cash register.

So, did you like the tips and the date options to leverage your business? Download the Calendar with important dates for bars and restaurants for free!