The COVID pandemic did away with many things, and one of them was Happy Hour.
When the "after work" crowd became the "work from home" crowd, the tradition of meeting for a drink after 5 dried up.
But now, Happy Hour is back and transformed. Instead of two-for-one specials and cheap bar snacks, bars and restaurants have kicked it up to include signature cocktails, craft beer, fine wine, and high-end appetizers.
With COVID restrictions ended, people are starting once again to meet friends for drinks and light bites. Happy Hour provides a restaurant experience at a lower price point, a benefit at a time when inflation is impacting consumers' spending.
According to the Cocktail Index, a study on U.S. consumer preferences and trends conducted by Top Data, happy hour visits to bars have risen significantly to levels pre-pandemic—in the neighborhood of 54%.
Happy Hour Refresh
Do you want to refresh happy Hour in your establishment? Consider these suggestions.
Update Your Menu
Winning Happy Hour menus include small but shareable versions of regular menu items. Small bites entice Happy Hour customers and market a restaurant's dinner menu. Happy Hours timeframes are also flexible bridging lunch to dinner.
Create A Signature Experience
To create a great Happy Hour experience, restaurant owners should consider the overall ambiance of their establishment. Showcasing popular sports games and local teams can be a great way to get folks in the door. Music can also be a draw for your Happy Hour. Just be sure the music is not overwhelming, and it adds to the experience and allows for good conversation.
Build A Marketing Campaign
There's nothing like spending time and effort creating a great Happy Hour that no one knows about. It's all about marketing, but you don't need to spend lots of money to get the word out.
When you think about Happy Hour, you automatically think of social media. If you don't, you should. Promoting your Happy Hour on social sites should be fun and won't cost the big bucks. Feature your menu on social media platforms along with your specials and signature cocktails. Encourage your customers to post photos and videos of Happy Hour on their sites and provide them with rewards for doing so. Also, reach out to local businesses with a Return to Happy Hour special promotion. The more you work to get the word out, the bigger your return will be.
If you'd like to employ any of these Happy Hour refresh suggestions but don't have the cash on hand, Quikstone can help. Since 2005, Quikstone has helped thousands of restaurants like yours grow and prosper with easy, fast, and flexible working capital for all their business needs.
A cash advance from Quikstone is not a loan; it's a purchase of a small portion of your future credit card sales. There's a simple one-page application, and no collateral is needed. If you process credit cards, you could qualify for as much as $250,000. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and 80% of our merchants are repeat customers.
Contact us today and get started with a no-cost or obligation consultation.
