How to Make Your Bar Appeal to a Wider Demographic: 7 Creative Ideas

The bar industry can feel stagnant. In today’s competitive landscape, you need to think outside the box to entice a broader audience to your bar. Discover seven creative ways to attract a wider demographic, from crafting unique experiences to elevating your bar’s atmosphere.

Diversify Your Menu

Expanding your menu lets you cater to varying tastes and preferences. Consider the following strategies:

Craft Unique Cocktails

Provide new drinks people can only try in your bar. Simple innovations like infusing common ingredients with exotic flavors can attract new and returning customers.

Offer Nonalcoholic Options

From August 2021 to August 2022, total sales of nonalcoholic drinks in the U.S. reached $395 million and experienced a 20.6% increase year-on-year. Capitalize on the increasing demand by creating flavorful, sophisticated beverages that cater to various preferences. Explore 0% macerated spirits, mocktails and sparkling tea.

Promote Dietary Inclusivity

Attract vegetarians with organic food and drink options. Explore fruits, spices, fresh herbs, vegetables and plant-based milks to create delicious cocktails, making your bar a more inclusive space.

Use Local Advertising

A small, local advertising campaign is a budget-friendly way to reach potential bar-goers. Local search engine optimization (SEO) helps make your business visible to people looking for bar options nearby. Use relevant keywords on your website and content like “best bar near [your city].”

Traditional advertising materials like flyers and billboards remain relevant in the digital era. Use eye-catching visuals, memorable copy and a call to action that directs people to your bar.

Lastly, optimize your Google Business Profile. Customers are 70% more likely to visit a business with a complete Business Profile. Include your operating hours, address, contact information, menu photos and website to keep your listing engaging.

Offer Experiences

Most people visit bars not just for the drinks but for the overall experience. Here are some events you can launch to attract customers from various demographic groups:

• Recurring events: Trivia nights, speed networking, open mic sessions and themed evenings are some ideas that can attract new and returning customers. Assess what your demographic groups will be interested in before creating such events.

• Holidays: Capitalize on unofficial holidays like World Cocktail Day and International Gin and Tonic Day.

• Tasting experiences: If your bar offers premium drinks and dishes, this idea can highlight your unique offerings.

Vary Your Online Content

Expanding your demographic means bringing more variety to your content. Give your followers interesting and varied content to pique their interest. Some ideas include photos and videos of beverages, food, events, customers and staff. You can also upload prompts and polls to encourage engagement. Join TikTok or Instagram trends to establish relevancy. Take advantage of some relevant hashtags to boost brand visibility.

Improve Your Bar’s Atmosphere

Your bar’s atmosphere can make or break the overall customer experience. By optimizing your bar’s aesthetic, you can create the ideal environment for your demographic. Here’s how to set yourself apart from the competition:

Include a Wine Cellar

Good bar design should be aesthetically pleasing and functional. A wine cellar perfectly exemplifies this. It can appeal to several demographic groups, such as wine enthusiasts, young professionals who enjoy socializing after work and couples looking for an intimate atmosphere for dates.

A wine cellar can fit in nearly any space. For instance, a 25-square-foot area can accommodate up to 500 wine bottles — be creative and don’t forget to consider essential features like cooling, lighting and humidity.

Prioritize Comfort

Add subtle, romantic lighting to make your bar more cozy. You can use string lights or lanterns to set the mood. Comfortable seats are a must so customers can enjoy prolonged hours of fun.

Use High-Quality Photos for Social Media

Professional cocktail photos can create a positive first impression and entice customers to visit your bar. Eyes generate desire for the mind and mouth, and appealing images make audiences feel like they’re already tasting your offerings. Hire a food photographer for the best results.

Host Online Contests

Everyone loves free stuff. Online contests on social media are one of the easiest ways to gain more followers, raise awareness and increase sales. Invite your audience to tag friends and share your posts on their profiles for more chances of winning.

How to Identify the Right Demographic

Consider the following strategies when pivoting to a broader audience:

Build a Customer Persona

This is an avatar that personifies your target market, helping you understand their characteristics. Identify the age demographic groups, their professions, hobbies, favorite beverages and life challenges.

Segment Wisely

Demographic segmentation involves dividing your market based on age, income , family size, race, marital status, gender, education or occupation. Create separate campaigns for every demographic group to increase the chance that leads will become paying customers.

Estimate Customer Foot Traffic

What bar types thrive in your area? Are you located in a primarily residential or urban location? Identifying your potential foot traffic can help you determine your audience’s interests. Walk around and scope out your neighborhood for information.

Become the Talk of the Town

Standing out is no longer an option but a necessity. Implement these strategies to shake things up and attract a more diverse crowd. Soon enough, customers from various demographic groups will come back for more.