A Good Drink Draws a Crowd—but Smart Promotions Keep Them Coming Back!

Running a bar or pub today is more than pulling pints and curating craft cocktails. With shifting customer behaviour, rising costs, and heavy competition, owners must stay agile and creative when it comes to promotions that don’t just fill seats but boost revenue.

Whether you run a buzzing high-street bar or a cosy neighbourhood pub, these bar promotion ideas will help you create buzz, attract new patrons, and keep loyal customers engaged.

Let’s dive into ten proven bar marketing ideas that deliver results—and how partnering with Foodhub for Business can give your promotions the tech edge they deserve.

1. Host Themed Nights with a Twist

Themed nights aren’t new, but how you do them can make all the difference. Go beyond karaoke or quiz nights and bring in unique experiences:

• 90s nostalgia nights.
• Silent discos.
• Board game tournaments.
• Local DJ showdowns.
• “Brew Your Own Cocktail” contests.

Promote these using targeted push notifications, SMS, or email via Foodhub’s marketing tools.

Why it works

Experiences create emotional value. It’s not just a drink—it’s a memory.

2. Launch Digital Loyalty Programmes

Regularly keep your lights on. Reward them. Use a simple QR-based digital loyalty programme that tracks visits or purchases. After X number of pints, the next one’s on the house.

Foodhub for Business allows bars to build customised loyalty campaigns, rewarding customers automatically based on their ordering behaviour.

Why it works

Loyalty schemes boost repeat visits by up to 35% and help you collect first-party customer data for future campaigns.

3. Collaborate with Local Influencers

Forget mega-influencers. Partner with local micro-influencers who have niche, engaged followings in your city.

They can:

• Visit your pub and create content.
• Promote a new cocktail or food menu.
• Host their own "meet-and-greet" night.

Pro tip

Offer them a promo code powered by Foodhub’s system, trackable and tied to discounts or freebies.

Why it works

People trust local voices. It’s word-of-mouth at a digital scale.

4. Promote Off-Peak Happy Hours

Don’t just discount at standard happy hour times. Test:

• Late-afternoon drink specials for early finishers.
• Midweek lunch-and-lager bundles.
• Sunday night “wind down” cocktails.

Automate time-sensitive discounts using an integrated POS system with your promotion calendar, available via Foodhub’s partner tools.

Why it works

You’re monetising dead hours and introducing new visit patterns.

5. Run Pub Quizzes with Real-Time Digital Sign-Ups

No one likes queuing to sign up teams. Digitise the process:

• Let users book a table for quiz night through your website or app.
• Send reminders.
• Capture emails for future promotions.

Foodhub’s ordering platform can handle pre-event bookings, limited-time deals, and promotions for quiz-goers.

Why it works

Less admin, more fun—and better data collection.

6. Create "Instagrammable" Drinks and Spaces

People eat and drink with their eyes—and their cameras.

Invest in:

• Signature cocktails with wild garnishes.
• Branded glassware or coasters.
• Creative backdrops (neon signs, mural walls).

Encourage patrons to tag your bar. Run “drink and win” contests for the best photos.

Why it works

Organic user-generated content = free advertising.

7. Offer Bundle Deals and Pre-Paid Packages

Boost your average transaction size with bundles:

• Beer bucket + bar snack deals.
• Date night: 2 cocktails + appetisers.
• Birthday group packages.

Enable these bundles directly through your POS or online ordering via Foodhub’s promotional features.

Why it works

Packages reduce decision fatigue and encourage group spending.

8. Run Limited-Time-Only (Lto) Menu Items

Scarcity sells.

Rotate your menu seasonally or monthly:

• Summer spritz specials.
• Local craft beer collabs.
• Spooky Halloween brews.

Highlight LTO items on your digital menu and in-app listings. Set expiry reminders using Foodhub’s in-built promotional timer.

Why it works

Customers are more likely to try something if it’s not permanent.

9. Launch a “Refer a Friend” Campaign

Word-of-mouth is still your best channel. Turn happy patrons into promoters:

• Give customers a £5 discount for every friend who visits and spends.
• Reward referred friends with a free drink.

Track and automate referrals using Foodhub’s customer engagement tools.

Why it works

Referral customers are 4x more likely to stay loyal.

10. Offer Click-And-Collect Cocktails or Bar Snacks

With evolving drinking habits, not everyone wants to stay in. Offer curated cocktail kits or bar snack packs for takeaway or click-and-collect. Use Foodhub’s bar-friendly POS and online ordering solutions to:

• Showcase kits with great visuals.
• Set availability times.
• Integrate with your kitchen/bar for fulfilment.

Why it works

Expands your reach and monetises your mixologist skills beyond the barstool.

Bonus Tip: Use Data to Track What’s Working

Run your promotions like campaigns, not guesswork. With Foodhub’s backend analytics, track:

• Which drinks sell best during promos.
• What days see the most footfall.
• How many customers returned after redeeming an offer.

Why it works

Insights allow for smarter planning and scalable success.

Great Promotions Are Part Art, Part Science

Not every pub marketing idea will work for every crowd. The key is to experiment, track, and evolve. Combine creative event planning with smart technology, and your bar can become a community hotspot, not just a drinks stop.

Partner with Foodhub and Serve Smarter Promotions

At Foodhub for Business, we help bar and pub owners like you digitise your menu, boost footfall, and run promotions that get real results—without hidden fees or rigid commissions.

• Customisable bar POS systems.
• In-app marketing campaigns.
• Loyalty programmes and discounts.
• Seamless table and takeaway ordering.

Ready to drive more sales, more efficiently? Partner with Foodhub to get started today.