Tips: Running a pub/bar when there is a gig happening
This is the opportunity to make an impact on the crowd, you’ve got them to the venue and the place is humming with good energy, what happens next?
Ensure the performance area is cleared ahead of time. Having to move a seated family while people are carrying in speakers only serves to add a level of anxiety to most evenings.
Make sure your kitchen times are clearly visible – consider running finger-foods from a certain time in the evening, as people will be dancing rather than sitting, so slider burgers, chips in a cone, and hotdogs will sell far better than roast dinners will, and a thirsty patron usually turns into a snacky patron. There are good margins to be made on this food, and combined with the drink margins it can add to the takings of the night quite significantly
There HAS to be a vibe before the show starts. The background music must be increased in volume, and the energy levels should match that of the upcoming band to an extent. (We have linked some playlists at the end in the resources page for you). Whether this falls to the venue or the band, it MUST happen. The lights should also be dimmed 30 minutes before the band plays, along with the background music volume being increased again slightly.
Run a drinks special 30 minutes before the band plays, and in the performance interval. Drunk people like to dance, this gets other people dancing straight away, which gets everyone drinking more.
The moment the band start their break, have music ready to go immediately. A seamless transition can keep everyone drinking and dancing, which keeps the money flowing
As soon as the show ends, have more background music ready to go along with any other drink specials which you have prepped. Also have some flyers ready with upcoming events or a board displaying them
