Food and Drink Why do you go to a bar/pub/club for the first time? - Page 8

**AustinChief** · 02-24-2010, 08:20 PM

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)

Time's Yours · 02-25-2010, 05:29 PM

No cover and drink specials

**noa** · 02-25-2010, 05:43 PM

First, I'll want to know what the atmosphere is like. There are plenty of places I would rule out just by reading that its a trendy lounge, etc. I always want to avoid places that get described online as overcrowded and/or loud. Initial descriptions are very important.
Next, I'd want to know what kind of drink selection they have, and how many beers are on tap.
Other than that, I'd be interested in knowing if its the place I could spend a couple hours with some friends and shoot the shit.
I look on Yelp or other websites for reviews usually. There are plenty of good resources describing the bars where I live (NY). So I would say internet reviews are very helpful.
An example of an ideal place: I really like going places that have games and snacks. One of my favorite places in the city has a great beer selection, little chocolate candies (like Hershies minis) and pretzels or chex mix throughout the bar, and you can play Connect 4, Battleship, Boggle, Jenga, Scattegories, and other games while you're there. They don't have huge flat screen TVs, just little ones throughout the bar, so it might not be ideal for watching sports, but you could certainly do it there if you were so inclined. I think that place is great because it has great selection for beer lovers, games for people who just want to hang out, so it suits guys and gals.

**MahiMike** · 02-25-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Word of mouth on 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.

Interesting. The well-informed drunk.

Pablo · 02-25-2010, 05:51 PM

Depends on where you're located and what age demographic you're trying to pull in...but I know most 23 year old males like myself like drink specials first and foremost and ladies nights are pretty nice; because the more drunk chicks you can fit in your bar, then the more drunk dudes you'll get to chase them around and spend their money.

**MahiMike** · 02-25-2010, 05:53 PM

I go to Beef O'Brady's for 2 reasons; they're the only sports bar in town and $1 drafts on Thursdays. Guess where I'll be 1st night of the draft(s).

Stewie · 02-25-2010, 05:54 PM

I think the question should be, "How do I get first-timers to come back?" Service, atmosphere, food (if served), prices.

**DaKCMan AP** · 02-25-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MahiMike

I go to Beef O'Brady's for 2 reasons; they're the only sports bar in town and $1 drafts on Thursdays. Guess where I'll be 1st night of the draft(s).

Beef O'Brady's is a dump. Sucks for you.

Titty Meat · 02-25-2010, 07:02 PM

Harpos is probably the best college bar in KC.

**AustinChief** · 03-03-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewie

I think the question should be, "How do I get first-timers to come back?" Service, atmosphere, food (if served), prices.

That is going to be investigated next... for now though, trying to figure out how to help these guys get first timers into the bar.

Having their info online definitely helps but trying to come up with more direct ways.

WoodDraw · 03-03-2010, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

That is going to be investigated next... for now though, trying to figure out how to help these guys get first timers into the bar.

Having their info online definitely helps but trying to come up with more direct ways.

I know a few times I've gone out with people who wanted to head to a certain place because of a "loyalty program". I don't know quite what to call it. I know KC Hopps has one where you earn points for money spent that can then be redeemed against your tab. KC Originals is another one, although more focused on restaurants.

And KC Originals sends out notices when new restaurants join. KC Hopps is a bit different obviously, but the idea is there.

PunkinDrublic · 03-03-2010, 07:36 PM

One thing I will add on a serious note. There has to be a certain level of comfort. I go to a bar out of habit because at the very least I'll know a couple of people there and it's a relaxing place to drink and relax. No Djs spinning blaring techno or house. No DJs period because it will turn the bar into a doucheteria.

Remember that Pub is short for Public house meaning that in a way patrons want to feel like the place is kind of a home away from home. If you keep that in mind you should be successful.

**AustinChief** · 03-03-2010, 07:37 PM

OK, How many of you rely on google to get info on a bar you have never been to before? Or is it majority word of mouth? Or something else?

**AustinChief** · 03-03-2010, 07:39 PM

Just to clarify... I am NOT in the bar industry myself... but I have clients who are and a number of friends as well... just seeing if we can get some hard data on why people go to a specific bar in the first place and later I'll look into the reasons people coem back... most of this seems obvious but you'd be suprised what can easily get overlooked.

PunkinDrublic · 03-03-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

OK, How many of you rely on google to get info on a bar you have never been to before? Or is it majority word of mouth? Or something else?

I would use google if I were an out of towner or somebody who recently relocated and didn't know too many people. Other than that I mostly go by word of mouth or where friends I trusted went.

NewChief · 03-03-2010, 08:11 PM

Contact local media (online and print) and see if they'll do features on the joint. I'm pretty influenced by our local online media sources. They generally profile new places, then the comment field becomes an area for people who actually go there to give reports.

I do use google when I'm going to a new town that I know little about.

Edit: and that was post 10,000.

02-24-2010, 08:20 PM
AustinChief Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Austin Casino cash: $-664998	Why do you go to a bar/pub/club for the first time? 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)
Posts: 20,016

02-25-2010, 05:29 PM	#106
Time's Yours Starter Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $7127317	No cover and drink specials
Posts: 510

02-25-2010, 05:43 PM	#107
noa Band Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-584547	First, I'll want to know what the atmosphere is like. There are plenty of places I would rule out just by reading that its a trendy lounge, etc. I always want to avoid places that get described online as overcrowded and/or loud. Initial descriptions are very important. Next, I'd want to know what kind of drink selection they have, and how many beers are on tap. Other than that, I'd be interested in knowing if its the place I could spend a couple hours with some friends and shoot the shit. I look on Yelp or other websites for reviews usually. There are plenty of good resources describing the bars where I live (NY). So I would say internet reviews are very helpful. An example of an ideal place: I really like going places that have games and snacks. One of my favorite places in the city has a great beer selection, little chocolate candies (like Hershies minis) and pretzels or chex mix throughout the bar, and you can play Connect 4, Battleship, Boggle, Jenga, Scattegories, and other games while you're there. They don't have huge flat screen TVs, just little ones throughout the bar, so it might not be ideal for watching sports, but you could certainly do it there if you were so inclined. I think that place is great because it has great selection for beer lovers, games for people who just want to hang out, so it suits guys and gals. __________________ Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes, well, he eats you.
Posts: 8,302

02-25-2010, 05:51 PM	#109
Pablo Ultrabanned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northland Casino cash: $-1810644	Depends on where you're located and what age demographic you're trying to pull in...but I know most 23 year old males like myself like drink specials first and foremost and ladies nights are pretty nice; because the more drunk chicks you can fit in your bar, then the more drunk dudes you'll get to chase them around and spend their money.
Posts: 43,874

02-25-2010, 05:53 PM	#110
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	I go to Beef O'Brady's for 2 reasons; they're the only sports bar in town and $1 drafts on Thursdays. Guess where I'll be 1st night of the draft(s). __________________ 99.9%
Posts: 17,387

02-25-2010, 05:54 PM	#111
Stewie MVP Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West of the Equator Casino cash: $-1740099	I think the question should be, "How do I get first-timers to come back?" Service, atmosphere, food (if served), prices.
Posts: 13,861

02-25-2010, 07:02 PM	#113
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $-1102442	Harpos is probably the best college bar in KC.
Posts: 78,107

03-03-2010, 07:36 PM	#116
PunkinDrublic Stay down bitch! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $4370670	One thing I will add on a serious note. There has to be a certain level of comfort. I go to a bar out of habit because at the very least I'll know a couple of people there and it's a relaxing place to drink and relax. No Djs spinning blaring techno or house. No DJs period because it will turn the bar into a doucheteria. Remember that Pub is short for Public house meaning that in a way patrons want to feel like the place is kind of a home away from home. If you keep that in mind you should be successful. __________________ Disappointing my parents since 1976
Posts: 9,548

03-03-2010, 07:37 PM	#117
AustinChief Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Austin Casino cash: $-664998	OK, How many of you rely on google to get info on a bar you have never been to before? Or is it majority word of mouth? Or something else?
Posts: 20,016

03-03-2010, 07:39 PM	#118
AustinChief Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Austin Casino cash: $-664998	Just to clarify... I am NOT in the bar industry myself... but I have clients who are and a number of friends as well... just seeing if we can get some hard data on why people go to a specific bar in the first place and later I'll look into the reasons people coem back... most of this seems obvious but you'd be suprised what can easily get overlooked.
Posts: 20,016

03-03-2010, 08:11 PM	#120
NewChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fayetteville, AR Casino cash: $7200204	Contact local media (online and print) and see if they'll do features on the joint. I'm pretty influenced by our local online media sources. They generally profile new places, then the comment field becomes an area for people who actually go there to give reports. I do use google when I'm going to a new town that I know little about. Edit: and that was post 10,000. __________________ In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. - H. L. Mencken
Posts: 21,845