Why do you go to a bar/pub/club for the first time?

[AustinChief]

Ok about to run a "focus group" with some bar owner friends and I want to see if what they THINK brings people into their bars is really the reason....

Would really appreciate you guys telling me what FIRST brings you into a "new" bar and once we have enough ideas I will start a poll...

I know a few obvious ones... know someone who works there. Went to see a band you like. Went to meet friends who already hang there. What else do we have?

(Once we have this sorted out, we'll do another poll on why you come back to particular bars after that first visit)

[NewChief]

1st: Buzz through word of mouth (usually in reference to the drink selection, ambience, musical selection, crowd, vibe, or food)
2nd: Buzz through online presence (local twitter/fb/media people I know buzzing on it usually in reference to the same things as above)
3rd: Image of the bar (does its image appeal to me).

Those are the three things that make me want to check a place out.

[Miles]

First time to a new bar? If it is close to where I live, close to another bar I frequent or probably the largest reason being word of mouth.

[Third Eye]

The ONLY times I go to new bars are when I'm not in control of the decision, or perhaps some live music. 99% of the time I'm going to one place. Been going there for years and I like the owner and the staff, so I'm loyal to them.

[Dunit35]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Social media: blogs, twitter, forums on sites such as BeerAdvocate.com. It helps if the bar not only publishes their beer list on their website but has a Facebook or Twitter account.

In the small towns around me, its usually word of mouth. Beer selections are usually limited in the smaller towns, kinda sucks.

[WoodDraw]

Drink specials. Special events that I'm interested in (i.e. sports bar throwing a watch party). If we're looking for something new, word of mouth.

I'd say mainly word of mouth and drink specials.

[cdirty]

well around here, its because ive been to every other one.

[Braincase]

Quality/Selection of Ales, Atmosphere, Sports on the tube, Visuals...

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Social media: blogs, twitter, forums on sites such as BeerAdvocate.com. It helps if the bar not only publishes their beer list on their website but has a Facebook or Twitter account.

soooo.. if a bar publishes it's specials and drink list online (say on a facebook page) you would be more inclined to try them out?

For example...
http://www.facebook.com/jackgagekc?v=app_6009294086

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by milkman

Location and name.

NAME! good one, hadn't thought about that.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by NewPhin

1st: Buzz through word of mouth (usually in reference to the drink selection, ambience, musical selection, crowd, vibe, or food)
2nd: Buzz through online presence (local twitter/fb/media people I know buzzing on it usually in reference to the same things as above)
3rd: Image of the bar (does its image appeal to me).

Those are the three things that make me want to check a place out.

Excellent.

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

soooo.. if a bar publishes it's specials and drink list online (say on a facebook page) you would be more inclined to try them out?

For example...
http://www.facebook.com/jackgagekc?v=app_6009294086

Depends on the special, if they have a better special than my usual spot for that night then we'll try that.

[KCChiefsMan]

drink specials are #1. People will line up for $4 pitchers. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the type of city or town it's in. If it's in Lawrence, it's gotta cheap and where the chicks like to go. If it's in a small town, I'm sure it's gotta have pool tables and good folks. If it's a big city it's gotta be classy and have hot women.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

NAME! good one, hadn't thought about that.

So long as it is nothing terrible, I think name ranks low in the equation of what would attract me to a bar.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

Chicks and Drink Specials

I'd become a missing person report if I knew where I could find both of these.

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan

drink specials are #1. People will line up for $4 pitchers. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the type of city or town it's in. If it's in Lawrence, it's gotta cheap and where the chicks like to go. If it's in a small town, I'm sure it's gotta have pool tables and good folks. If it's a big city it's gotta be classy and have hot women.

yep, I'm in Lawrence and we have a different place we'll go every night of the week based on special. The main reason for that is we go where the women be and the athletes won't be.