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)

[WoodDraw]

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've done searches for drink specials before, especially if it's an off night to be going out. But world of mouth is far more important. I can count my google searches on a few fingers, even when out of town.

Even out of town, I'm more tempted to look for friends that live/lived there, or look for quality online review sites. Social media maybe, if done right. There's a fine line between being annoying (have everyone send your friend an email or facebook invite for this new bar!) and good targeted advertising.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by WoodDraw

I've done searches for drink specials before, especially if it's an off night to be going out. But world of mouth is far more important. I can count my google searches on a few fingers, even when out of town.

Even out of town, I'm more tempted to look for friends that live/lived there, or look for quality online review sites. Social media maybe, if done right. There's a fine line between being annoying (have everyone send your friend an email or facebook invite for this new bar!) and good targeted advertising.

In all honesty, the Planet is one of the first places I come for information when I'm traveling somewhere. I like to engage in conversations about the places I'm going not just read what 1 writer says in a 1-way information stream, so even when I'm using google... I'll usually find a message board (often use regional fly fishing boards) in the region and make queries there.