Bar vs Netflix: How Bars and Restaurants Can Attract Millennials

It’s no secret that the Millennial generation has a particular liking for hanging out on the couch and binge-watching popular shows on Netflix. Given the high-quality, inexpensive programming that’s available 24/7 these days, we don’t blame them.

So how can you attract more of these millennial customers to your bar or restaurant? How do you get them to leave Game of Thrones behind and come out for a drink? We have some suggestions…

Who are Millennials?

Millennials, also known as Generation Y, include anyone born between 1980–2000 and account for 75.3 million members of the world’s population. That’s a lot of people.

Today, these are generally your customers between the ages of 20–40. This generation is full of young spenders who want to succeed and celebrate their successes along the way. Their spending power can make a huge impact on your bar!

How Can I Attract More Millennials to My Bar or Restaurant?

Offer Deals

It’s true that many millennials don’t yet have kids and have a fair amount of disposable income. But college debt and stagnating wages are real, and your average millennial is feeling the burn.

Get more in the door with a sweet deal or value-add they can’t pass up. 60% of Millennials reported that they trade and share coupons across social networks. By offering deals on social or promoting a special happy hour event, millennials (who are the biggest users of social media) might just share them with all of their friends.

Drive FOMO With Unique Experiences

More and more young people are spending their time and money on experiences over possessions, and clever bar and restaurant owners can use this to their advantage. One great way to bring in more millennial customers is to create unique experiences that will bring people in due to their fear of missing out: FOMO.

There’s no shortage of ideas out there for events and creative happy hours, including tasting events, live trivia and themed nights (let us recommend a 90’s hip hop theme). If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our webinar on the 18 Best Ways to Put Entertainment on Tap in 2018.

We also advise paying close attention to your customers’ comments and reviews for a head start on what’s trending. You should also be monitoring your Instagram and Facebook followers.

Spicing things up and offering an experience that gets people up off the couch is a surefire way to turn a slow weeknight into a bustling revenue-generator. If you can stay flexible and trendy, you’ll be golden.

[RELATED] IDEAS FOR CREATIVE BAR & RESTAURANT EVENTS

Offer Beverages They Can’t Find at 7-Eleven

Another great way to detach a millennial from a Netflix-binge and get them to visit your bar is by offering unique and enticing beverage options that they can’t (or won’t take the time to) buy at a convenience store or make at home.

Consider elevating your cocktail game with unique drinks and seasonal ingredients. Make sure to post pictures of your beautiful creations on Instagram and other social media outlets that millennials are likely scanning while sitting on the couch.

Sometimes all it takes to attract another customer is catching their eye with a great-looking beverage that they can’t whip up themselves. Millennials are also known for being big craft beer drinkers. Forty-three percent of millennials actually prefer craft beer over domestic beer (smart group)! But really, millennials love both creativity and uniqueness.

Craft beer gives them a unique experience through various tastes and seasonal choices. Who doesn’t like sipping on Rubaeus by Founders Brewing Co. during the summer and a Russian River Pliny the Younger come winter?

[RELATED] THE BEST BEER COCKTAILS TO ADD TO YOUR MENU

Be Loyal and Earn Their Loyalty

Are you searching for loyal customers? Millennial bar-goers will show loyalty to bars that donate to causes they value. A report shows that 75% of millennials find it important that companies give back to society and don’t just take a cut. Check out our ideas for charitable events here.

Add Digital Menu Boards

Digital menu boards are a hot industry trend. Millennials want to try something new when they go out. That’s why they’re spending their hard-earned cash, after all! Digital menu boards help them see what you offer and pick the right drink (or three) for them.

Just be sure your menu utilizes a sleek design and has a unique personality. A well-designed menu is a key way for you to establish your brand and subconsciously communicate that your drink menu matches current tastes.

[LEARN MORE] EVERGREEN DIGITAL MENU BOARDS

Offer Off-Premise Options

One final way to pry young people away from their streaming services is to offer off-premise food and beverage options. If people know that they can make a to-go order, they might be more likely to visit your establishment on nights that they might otherwise find another option.

If you want to go above and beyond, you can also offer delivery options through one of the many food delivery services available today, like Seamless or DoorDash, so your customers don’t even have to get up off the couch in the first place.

In the age of endless streaming entertainment options, it might seem difficult to convince anyone to leave their house. But by offering unique and exciting options you can still motivate even the laziest of Netflix-bingers to visit your bar and plunk down their hard-earned cash.