Secrets are exciting. Whether customers are getting a special bargain that few are privy to or just the sense of excitement that comes with finding a hidden gem on a remote corner of town, patrons like to think they’re members of a small, elite club.
Prohibition was a relatively short period of time that ended decades ago, and yet many Americans cling to the thrilling idea of the so-called “speakeasy.” It seems that creating the illusion that a bar is difficult to find or get into means that patrons are willing to fight their way in and pay a premium for cocktails with old fashioned names and ingredients.
So what exactly makes a bar a speakeasy in an age when alcohol is perfectly legal? Technically speaking, nothing. What creates a convincing impression that an establishment is this particular type of forbidden fruit? Well, the answer to that is a bit more complicated. Read more
Do You Need a Wireless Liquor Control System?
/in Industry Trends, Technology /by HilaryIf you’re considering implementing a wireless liquor control system, you’ve probably run up against a terrible problem such as bartender theft, devastating revenue loss, or such a lack of time and sleep that manual inventory maintenance has become impossible. All these events can lead you to a sense of desperation, and you may feel that you have no option but to buy a liquor maintenance system to regain control of your bar. But do you? This article addresses the pros and cons of wireless liquor control systems so that you can overcome your bar stressors. Read more
Creative Garnish Ideas to Class Up Your Bar
/in Cocktails /by HilaryWhether you’re a seasoned mixologist or are just starting to enter the world of premium drink garnishes, it is always a good time to come up with creative, new ideas. Updated garnishes serve to increase the perceived value of your drinks and your bar, which creates buzz, increases your sales, and draws in curious customers. No matter what you’re looking to improve in your bar, garnishes are frequently a good way to bring in some changes for the better. Here are a few tips to get you started, or, if you’ve been using standard garnishes for years, to get get you thinking about new, innovative designs. Read more
The 4 Steps Busy Bar Owners Use to Hire a Band
/in Tips & Tricks /by HilarySo, you’ve decided that you want live music at your bar, and you are psyched to see the crowds pour into your bar, order drinks and food, and jam out while increasing your profits. It’s going to be great…after you get over one tiny problem: How to hire the band. If the thought of going out to find a band, then negotiating with them sounds terrifying or like too much work, this guide is for you. Read more
Attract More Patrons with Absinthe
/in Cocktails, Industry Trends, Spirits /by Josh SaundersAbsinthe. Just breathe the name of this notorious, strong-tasting liquor, and many connotations come immediately to mind: It’s bright green. It’s illegal. It’s hallucinogenic. It can make you insane.
While all of these statements are actually false, the long-running rumors about absinthe certainly make it intriguing. Why not capitalize on that intrigue?
Here are some “do”s and “don’t”s when it comes to bringing absinthe to your bar: Read more
How to Use Wine Marketing That Speaks to Millennials
/in Industry Trends, Wine /by HilaryIn her recent article “How Millennials Are Changing the Wine Industry,” Kathryn Buschman Vasel stated that Millennials are drinking more wine than other generations did at the age of 21, and that this is rocking the wine industry as we know it. Specifically, Millennials are rocking the wine marketing industry as we know it. This younger age group, born between 1980 and 2000 is pressing wineries to make a change in the way they present their wines, and restaurateurs and bar owners should ensure that they also understand what wine marketing is all about today. Here’s your cheat sheet for wine marketing that speaks to Millennials and more. Read more
3 Creative Ideas to Get Food into Your Bar
/in Dining Out, Tips & Tricks /by HilaryIs your bar among the many that don’t serve food? Perhaps cooking isn’t your thing, perhaps your building needs some work, or perhaps you just don’t want to deal with the headache that comes with serving food. No matter your reasoning, do you sometimes have the nagging feeling that you’re missing out on profits? Does that feeling usually come at dinner time? Here are three creative ideas you can use to increase your profits—without increasing your workload. Read more
The Secret to Customer Loyalty Programs
/in Industry Trends, Tips & Tricks /by HilaryHow many times did you hear these cringe-worthy words over the weekend: “Hey, it’s my birthday. l should get a free drink!” (What did you say in response?) This article talks about the best answer you can give to that question. Read on. Read more
How to Give Your Bar that “Speakeasy” Vibe
/in Industry Trends, Tips & Tricks /by Josh SaundersSecrets are exciting. Whether customers are getting a special bargain that few are privy to or just the sense of excitement that comes with finding a hidden gem on a remote corner of town, patrons like to think they’re members of a small, elite club.
Prohibition was a relatively short period of time that ended decades ago, and yet many Americans cling to the thrilling idea of the so-called “speakeasy.” It seems that creating the illusion that a bar is difficult to find or get into means that patrons are willing to fight their way in and pay a premium for cocktails with old fashioned names and ingredients.
So what exactly makes a bar a speakeasy in an age when alcohol is perfectly legal? Technically speaking, nothing. What creates a convincing impression that an establishment is this particular type of forbidden fruit? Well, the answer to that is a bit more complicated. Read more
Keep Cafe Patrons Interested: Add Alcohol to Your Menu
/in Tips & Tricks /by Josh SaundersYears ago, I had a New York City teacher friend who knew the perfect East Village bar for grading papers at 3:30 in the afternoon. As soon as she put her red pen away, she could reward herself right on the spot with something cold and refreshing. Teachers, freelancers, and aspiring novelists often have an eye out for a destination where they can get work done without all the distractions and temptations of home. When work needs to get done, it doesn’t matter what time or day of the week it is; sometimes it helps to have a pick-me-up like coffee to get through that pile of work – or, when the time is right, an adult beverage to transition out of a long day of putting your nose to the grindstone.
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How to Make Your Own Infused Alcohols
/in Cocktails, Industry Trends, Spirits, Tips & Tricks /by HilaryWith the slow food revolution and the ever-increasing trend toward artisan / small batch / made-from-scratch consumables, craft alcohols such as infused vodkas are only continuing to rise in status. In fact, unique mixology that capitalizes on the craft alcohol trend is the hottest customer draw out there right now, so why isn’t your bar cashing in? Perhaps it’s because you don’t know where or how to start introducing more artisan items into your menu. Since I always want to help bars make more money, I’m here to get you on the right path. This is your quick and easy guide to making infused alcohols. Read more