Running a successful sports bar isn’t just about having the most TVs or the coldest beer, it’s about creating an atmosphere that turns casual fans into die-hard regulars. In one of the more competitive segments of the food and beverage industry, game day promotions can be your secret weapon to driving sales and building a loyal community of patrons.
In this guide, we will touch on 10 specific promotions that you can implement today with little-to-no overhead and training. The strategies listed in this article can be customized based on your restaurant’s:
- Specific market and customer base
- Local team preferences
- State/local promotion regulations
- Your bar’s capacity and layout
- Staff capabilities
- Food/beverage costs
1. Pay-Per-Quarter Special
This promotion is always a fan favorite and rewards customers for spending more time in your venue.
How it works: Offer progressively better drink or appetizer deals each quarter to incentivize customers to stay for the entirety of a game.
Example: First quarter $4 domestic drafts, second quarter $3 domestic drafts, third quarter $2 domestic drafts, fourth quarter $1 domestic drafts.
2. Event-Based Promotions
If you’ve ever been to a game where every fan gets a free pizza when the home team reaches a predetermined milestone, then you will understand the excitement this type of promotion can bring.
How it works: Offer progressively better drink or appetizer deals each quarter to incentivize customers to stay for the entirety of a game.
Example: First quarter $4 domestic drafts, second quarter $3 domestic drafts, third quarter $2 domestic drafts, fourth quarter $1 domestic drafts.
3. Jersey Day Discount
For most sports bar owners, having their establishment referred to as the best bar for local fans is a dream come true. The jersey day promotion will help attract fans of your local team, in full uniform, making for an epic game day atmosphere.
How it works: Offer a percentage off the total bill for customers wearing team jerseys.
Example: Create tiered discounts: any jersey (5% off), home team jersey (10% off), fan favorite player (20% off).
4. Predictions Pool Promotions
Prediction pools are a fun, interactive way for you to engage your customers and guarantee a return visit. You can even run these contests throughout the week stay engaged with your customers when they aren’t visiting your establishment.
How it works: Free entry pool where customers predict game outcomes and when store credit for a future trip.
Example: Work with the team at EatWatchPlay to create free weekly contests for anyone that visits your restaurant during the week of a big game. We’ll handle the contest, scoring, and even reward the gift cards for you.
Engage Your Customers In-Venue and At Home
5. Game Day Package Deals
If you’ve ever been to a game where every fan gets a free pizza when the home team reaches a predetermined milestone, then you will understand the excitement this type of promotion can bring.
How it works: Create a men u based entirely around large groups including sharable party platters with wings, nachos, sliders as well as drink tickets or pitcher deals.
Example: The key here is to include high margin food items and price the package attractively for groups of 4-6. For example, 3 sampler platters and 6 beers for $49.99.
6. Fantasy League Headquarters
Fantasy football has quickly become a national past-time and dominates the months of August and September. Turn your venue into a go-to destination for fantasy drafts.
How it works: Offer package deals for fantasy drafts, including discounted wings and beer. Then, offer weekly discounts for any fantasy league that makes your bar their weekly headquarters.
Example: Create tiered packages with varying benefits. For example, a Commissioner’s Package could include a fantasy draft kit, 15% off food all season, $15 pitchers of domestic beer, and a free beer for the commissioner on every visit.
7. Social Media Check-In Challenge
Most sports bar owners know that they need a social presence to drive traffic through their doors. Well, this promotion kills two birds with one stone by incentivizing patrons to tag you in posts while watching the game.
How it works: With this promotion, you are rewarding customers for posting and tagging your venue. Not only does this create buzz on game day, but will also help your venue build social proof and an improved online presence.
Example: Customers who post photos and tag your bar during games get entered into prize drawings. Prizes can be gift cards or VIP seating for future games. The winner is announced before the next home game.
8. Halftime Contests
Don’t let a break in the action drive customers out of your bar. Consider creating halftime contests to avoid lulls in the action and keep people engaged.
How it works: Keep energy levels high with quick, inclusive competitions that create memorable experiences and encourage food and drink sales – all while building anticipation for the second half of action.
Example: Two Minute Trivia Blitz: host a rapid-fire trivia game during halftime. The table with the first correct answer gets a point and the table with the most points gets a free appetizer or gift card.
9. VIP Game Day Tables
VIP packages transform unpredictable game day income into guaranteed pre-paid revenue, while simultaneously creating a premium experience that can command higher margins.
How it works: Create pre-bookable tables with a guaranteed view, food, and drink. These should come at a higher price point, but guaranteed experience.
Example: Create a “Premium Play Package” – including reserved seating with the best seats in the house, an unobstructed view, 2 appetizers, and 2 beverages per person (up to 6) for $199.
10. Post-Game Power Hour
So, we’ve got people through the door, everyone has had a great time (win or lose) – now what? Consider creating a post game promotion that encourages customers to stay and prevent a post-game exodus.
How it works: Great for multi-game days such as March Madness or an NFL Sunday, offer specials for the hour immediately following the home team’s game.
Example: Create a drink special (such as victory shots) or offer half-price wings, for the first hour following the game. You could also consider running a score prediction contest that doesn’t end until after the game to keep customers in the venue so you can pitch the power hour promotions.
No promotion will be a home run on your first attempt. Stay dedicated to providing a unique and rememberable experience week-after-week and you will see the return on your investment in no time. Your staff are your front-line ambassadors – their enthusiasm and execution can make or break event the best promotion.
The most successful sports bars aren’t just businesses – they’re where lasting memories are made, where rivalries are celebrated, and where everyone knows they’ll have a great time, regardless of the final score.
