Have you ever noticed that during a big game, some sports bars are completely packed, while others are empty? If you're thinking of opening a sports bar, then of course you want yours to be the one that's packed during the game. How do you ensure that? Well, you can start by looking over and implementing these three key tips for running a successful sports bar.
Make sure a TV is visible from every spot.
Your guests are coming to your sports bar to watch the game. So, you really need to invest in your televisions. Make sure you place them so that at least one television is visible from every seat in the house. It helps to actually sit in every seat and check to see whether you can see a television. If you can't, then make some adjustments. Sometimes, it works well to have TVs of multiple sizes. You can mount the larger ones on the bigger, back walls and also hang some smaller ones from the bar.
Offer inexpensive, classic beers.
Most of your guests are going to stick around for at least a few hours — the duration of the game. So while they might order a craft beer or two when they first sit down, they will then reach a point where they're looking for lighter, cheaper options. As such, you need to have plenty of inexpensive, lighter beers on tap. Two or three national brand options will fit the bill. Sell these for a few dollars a pint, and people will come.
Offer sharable appetizers.
In terms of the food, you don't want to get too fancy. A classic American menu with burgers, sandwiches, and maybe some pizza will work. But you also want to make sure you have lots of sharable appetizers on the menu. You really can't offer too many of these. People come to watch the game with their friends, and they want to be able to order food to share. You could be a little adventurous and offer a menu of only sharable dishes. Maybe you serve this menu during big games to keep things easier on the kitchen staff.
There is a lot of competition in the sports bar space, but that does not mean you can't run one successfully. Make sure you're addressing the three big aspects above, and you'll soon develop a fan base. Once customers find a good sports bar, they keep coming back.
For more info, visit a local sports bar.
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