As a restaurant owner, there aren't many things more challenging than keeping a steady stream of customers coming in through the front door. Unfortunately, these kinds of challenges can eventually arrest the cash flow of your business, which can cause all kinds of problems in the long run. About three months ago, I decided that it would be a good idea to start focusing more on my own restaurant so that I could improve things. I started small, by changing the way that our team handled a few things, and then eventually worked towards reworking the entire menu. This blog is all about making your restaurant more profitable.
For as long as there have been bars, there have been "regulars" — people who visit so frequently that they get to know the bartenders, are treated more like family than customers, and settle into the space as easily as they settle into their own living room. On the surface, it seems pretty simple to become a regular at a bar; you just go back often. But there is a little more to it than that. If you've recently discovered a bar you really like and want to become a regular, here are some tips to follow.
Visit at the same time, again and again.
Bars change throughout the day and night based on who is working and the atmosphere the bar is trying to convey at the time. For instance, a bar might be lively and upbeat in the afternoon, but quiet and somber later at night. If you hope to become a regular, you should try visiting at around the same time of day. This way, you will get to know the bartenders who regularly work that shift, and you'll get to know the bar's particular atmosphere at that time of day, too.
Start conversations.
Becoming a regular is, largely, about getting to know the bartender. It's important to realize this relationship goes both ways. Many customers chat about themselves and their own lives with their bartenders, but if you want to become a regular, it's helpful to take an interest in the bartender themselves, too. Ask how their day is going. If sports are on, ask about their favorite teams and players. Ask for drink recommendations, too. If you become someone the bartender genuinely enjoys interacting with, you're one step closer to being a regular.
Pick a drink.
Bartenders, whether they intend to do so or not, tend to associate people with the drinks they order. If you choose a particular drink and stick with it, then you will become familiar to the bartender more quickly. This drink should be something you enjoy, and something that also suits your personality. You don't have to order this same drink every single time, but it should be your most common order.
With the tips above, you can really get to know a bar and a bartender, and before long, establish yourself as a regular. You'll enjoy having a place to sit down and relax where everyone knows you and is happy to see you.
Share17 February 2021
