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May, 2025

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What brings you guys into a pub

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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
I've been tasked with coming up with ideas to bring people into our pub. What are some things that would bring you guys into a pub/ bar. things like trivia or drink specials or rock paper scissors tournaments. You guys have any ideas?
11 years ago
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pat_in_the_hat
Posts: 3019 - Karma: 2,695
girls. and boobs. and cold cheap beer. and nice butts. and single ladies
11 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,008
Well, cheap drinks, for one...

But clientele is a big deal for me. If it's too loud and obnoxious or too quiet and boring, I'm not interested. If the age group going in there is too 'OMG WE'RE 21 YAY PARTY SHOTSHOTSSHOTS' or a bunch of old and grumbly guys, I'm not really interested.

Gameswise, Darts and Pool. If It's a real pub it will have these things.
11 years ago
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
I like pubs that has a good menu. They don't have to be fancy or huge portions, just well done. You can tell when a chef cares about the menu he creates.

I also like a good beer selection. Stella isn't a premium beer. And neither is Bud Light Platinum. I don't mind if it carries the mainstream stuff, but I want a few different choices in light and dark beers.

Good, trained service staff. Nothing is worse than a server that looks at you with a blank stare when you ask what is served with the steak.
11 years ago
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
Good food , music, good prices on drinks. Clean, cool atmosphere, good service
11 years ago
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,194
Live music but not like hard loud rock bands
11 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,008
JAHpowLive music but not like hard loud rock bands


and not always bluegrass.. Bluegrass is all the rage these days amongst the hippie/hipster crowd that doesn't have any money to begin with. Once in a while, sure, but I feel like pubs these days are getting too hooked on one genre and alienating a large amount of their customer base with stagnancy. Mix it up. And not with Dubstep... god no.
11 years ago
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.frenchy
Posts: 18231 - Karma: 12,403
Sports game on TV. Baseball/football/hockey (or ESPN)

also darts
11 years ago
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soulskier
Posts: 17806 - Karma: 3,841
JAHpowLive music but not like hard loud rock bands


Absolutely this
11 years ago
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
Good prices, plenty of tvs so I dont leave with a cramped neck, not cramped, good friendly service
11 years ago
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
DingoSeanWell, cheap drinks, for one...

But clientele is a big deal for me. If it's too loud and obnoxious or too quiet and boring, I'm not interested. If the age group going in there is too 'OMG WE'RE 21 YAY PARTY SHOTSHOTSSHOTS' or a bunch of old and grumbly guys, I'm not really interested.

Gameswise, Darts and Pool. If It's a real pub it will have these things.


Yes, yes and yes.

Also, a good juke box. Like an original one with classic rock. I like to get drunk and sing benny and the jets and maybe some piano man too if I'm feeling it.
11 years ago
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elinde
Posts: 1487 - Karma: 3,226
Be in Ireland
11 years ago
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
Local craft beer ON TAP. Fuck bottles, that's weak. If I wanted a bottle I'd go to the store.

Rotate your taps too.
11 years ago
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Lé.Skiing
Posts: 10035 - Karma: 8,128
there was a game I witnessed unfold at a local bar in my home town that seemed like it might bring in attention. but it was a frozen t-shirt contest. Basically the first 3 people to unwrap a frozen t-shirt and put it on won. T-shirts were dunked in water then lightly wrung out then frozen so it wasn't too frozen and people were able to pry apart pieces stuck together. If my memory serves me correctly I believe it was on teams of 2-3 as well.
11 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,008
LE.Skiingthere was a game I witnessed unfold at a local bar in my home town that seemed like it might bring in attention. but it was a frozen t-shirt contest. Basically the first 3 people to unwrap a frozen t-shirt and put it on won. T-shirts were dunked in water then lightly wrung out then frozen so it wasn't too frozen and people were able to pry apart pieces stuck together. If my memory serves me correctly I believe it was on teams of 2-3 as well.


Haha I've taken part in that. Everyone thinks throwing it on the ground will free the ice off of it. Unfortunatly, you just gotta try to melt it as much as you can to pull the ice apart. Putting it on HURTS.
11 years ago
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gregor100
Posts: 28 - Karma: 1,134
As far as it being a PUB, i would say specifically NOT blasting music.

I cannot stand going to the pub on the weekend and it's blasting music just as loud as the fucking night clubs.

Isn't the point of a pub to talk and socialize over a drink? I would go to a club if I wanted to dance and be deafened.

But maybe that's just my local....
11 years ago
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
trivia nights are always fun too.

and paint night. i thought that would be kind of stupid but had a great time. and it's a big money maker
11 years ago
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HolySchimmel
Posts: 1601 - Karma: 1,295
All a pub needs for me are a few simple things:
-relatively cheap and good beer
-cool music (something irish maybe ;) ), overall nice atmosphere
-you need to be allowed to smoke inside

thats about all I would need!
11 years ago
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
HolySchimmelAll a pub needs for me are a few simple things:
-relatively cheap and good beer
-cool music (something irish maybe ;) ), overall nice atmosphere
-you need to be allowed to smoke inside

thats about all I would need!


I smoke and the best thing they ever did was ban smoking inside. No smoking in bars!
11 years ago
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HolySchimmel
Posts: 1601 - Karma: 1,295
yelselI smoke and the best thing they ever did was ban smoking inside. No smoking in bars!


nahh, there's a point when it gets so annoying to always go outside. If I go to a pub, I wanna chill, drink my beer and smoke while doing so.
11 years ago
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.Rybak.
Posts: 9017 - Karma: 9,869
HolySchimmelAll a pub needs for me are a few simple things:
-relatively cheap and good beer
-cool music (something irish maybe ;) ), overall nice atmosphere
-you need to be allowed to smoke inside

thats about all I would need!

If hes still living in MN its illegal to smoke in bars now. Like it is everywhere else in the u.s.
11 years ago
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
HolySchimmelnahh, there's a point when it gets so annoying to always go outside. If I go to a pub, I wanna chill, drink my beer and smoke while doing so.


Maybe it's just me but I can't stand the smoke that's constantly in your face. Then again, I'm pretty considerate when it comes to smoking around others that don't in general.

When I was in college you could still smoke in bars but I didnt smoke then...or if I did, it was the occasional drunk cig. In any event, the worst part was coming home at 4 am and having to shower because I smelled like ass.
11 years ago
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Jane6
Posts: 5359 - Karma: 4,506
hold the fucking phone for a minute, YOU have a pub?!? Where??? Can I come?


And an ideal pub for me is a super homey place, decorated with these odd objects and personal items, kind of dim lighting... that sort of thing. Good music on a not too high volume is key, its supposed to be kind of in the background, loud enough for you to recognize the song, but quiet enough so you can keep a conversation. Homey is key. It should feel like youre in your own livingroom I guess.

I love music quizzes, Im a sucker for them. Music quizzes with different genres or themes, awesome if they are inspired Ive also noticed that a lot of the bars I love going to here have ping pong tables?
Never really gone to a place with drink specias, or I havent noticed them anyway, I always order the same drink (whiskey sour) if I dont have beer.

A (gay) bar we always go to for drinks usually have this big screen with classic movies going on in the background. No sound, just subtitles so you can follow the plot if you want. The last time I was there they showed "the Wizard of Oz" (the one with Judy Garland of course), and another time I was there they showed "Modern Times" with Charlie Chaplin. For some reason I really like that, movies with completely different music going on in the background. Heh.

I think the key for me and most of my friends is that the staff is really laid back and nice though, we never go back to places where the staff is rude or stuck up.
11 years ago
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Jane6
Posts: 5359 - Karma: 4,506
wow I sure like to use "key" a lot :s
11 years ago
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TurquoiseGrizzly
Posts: 1819 - Karma: 13,149
LIVE MUSIC, WHISKEY, LOTS OF BEER ON TAP.
11 years ago
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rcasey
Posts: 348 - Karma: 1,577
Jon taffer would be a nice addition
11 years ago
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tronned
Posts: 1098 - Karma: 790
darts, Foosball, and a good selection of european beers.

keep the vibe friendly and not full of young idiots and people will come.

offer a good pub menu as well.

I have been to pubs every week for the last 10 years of my life.... if you treat like a pub and not a nightclub... people will come.
11 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,008
Jane6a lot of the bars I love going to here have ping pong tables?


Wherever this is, I want to go there.
11 years ago
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-benedetto
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 1,359
I think good wings has been mentioned. With bleu cheese too.

11 years ago
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Jane6
Posts: 5359 - Karma: 4,506
DingoSeanWherever this is, I want to go there.


we have a few places here actually, my fav place is this bar and club right by the water, great concert venue as well

There are a few places here that are like kindergartens for grownups, with alcohol haha. Board games, fussball, pool and table tennis, you name it.






11 years ago
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
Sunny patio, sassy bartenders, big TVs, moderate pricing, social seating arrangments- long benches/big round tables etc, darts or bocce, fill a niche-dive bar for the younger crowd is a good one.
11 years ago
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
californiagrownSunny patio, sassy bartenders, big TVs, moderate pricing, social seating arrangments- long benches/big round tables etc, darts or bocce, fill a niche-dive bar for the younger crowd is a good one.


yeah, for me the major things are good seating, preferably with outdoor seating as a choice, and good prices. TVs and games are sick too
11 years ago
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proZach
Posts: 7163 - Karma: 919
depends on what I'm looking to do. it's nice to have daily specials, trivia is always a plus on mondays/tuesdays.

I'll legitimately go to a place solely based on pool tables (and less, darts).

good service is always good, but not entirely necessary. there's a bar down the street that has the worst fucking service ever, but the best bloody marys I've ever had for $4. the food is great and there's always a soccer game on.

designating yourself a "...." bar is a lot of fun (went to a pub the other day that was a chelsea-supporter bar or whatever. bunch of other chelsea fans, had a great time).

there's another bar I frequent that's a american outlaws sponsored bar. when we have friendlys, it gets wild and that makes it that much more fun going.

also, tourneys of any kind are fun. I'd probably go somewhere to have a beer pong tournament, haven't played much since college, but it would be fun to toss $20 and see what happens.

good food and music is always fun too.
11 years ago
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~~~~~~~~
Posts: 2345 - Karma: 2,104
Being in Ireland.
11 years ago
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,018
trivia for sure. i love bar trivia.


also maybe some theme nights? like Hawaiian night, everyone wears tropical shirts/lua stuff, you get some cool drinks going on?
11 years ago
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--ski--
Posts: 1670 - Karma: 817
A publican who remembers you and looks after locals.
11 years ago
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Lemuel
Posts: 14544 - Karma: 11,157
Girls, boobs, $1 drink specials, karaoke, American top 40's. There's nothing like being drunk and "dancing" to we can''t stop.
11 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38118 - Karma: 129,942
anytizers and bottomless pepsi's
11 years ago
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Noddard
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,902
I like a place with great beer selection, great food, great atmosphere, and great service. I'd rather pay a little extra and have these things then go to a washed up bar selling $2 well drinks and getting shit for service.
11 years ago
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Noddard
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,902
A few ideas for getting people in to your pub:

2 for 1 pint, house wine, or well drink with a 15 or 30 day expiration.

Live music such as a band or dj always brings people in.

You could also start a loyalty drink program where if you buy 7 drinks you get the 8th free. Or something along those lines.

Sponsor an adult amateur sports team and put your pubs logos on the shirts and pay their team fee and name the team after your pub under the condition that after the games they come there to drink instead of where ever else they go.

These are just a few of tons of ways to market cheaply and find out what gives you the best results.

Let me know if you have any questions.
11 years ago
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cool_name
Posts: 4295 - Karma: 3,136
cheap beer and cheap or better yet free pool
11 years ago
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,847
cheap drinks (duh).
comfy atmosphere where you can hear yourselves talk, without making it dull.
sports.
different dimensions of the same place - a louder area, a cozier area, a darts area, (if you have the space, but even if you dont it could be done if youre creative).
friendly bartenders, nothing turns people away like annoying or dickish staff
11 years ago
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Dolan.Escobar
Posts: 683 - Karma: 943
Play some good techno/ electronica and invest in a couple 1500 dollar disco lights.
Your welcome
11 years ago
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elinde
Posts: 1487 - Karma: 3,226
~~~~~~~~Being in Ireland.


Fuck you
11 years ago
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galaxia
Posts: 307 - Karma: 697
man I dig beer but really enjoy craft cocktails, especially if its a spot that has great happy hr deals that I can grab after class and before dinner. knowledgeable bar tenders is nice, so is having a open air patio and cool corner booths, couches, things like that.
11 years ago
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GypsyLovin
Posts: 656 - Karma: 109
Allow cigarettes indoors. Haven't been to a bar since they banned the damn things.

Also have super cheap drink specials for the girls,,, then the ladies flock which brings all sorts of dudes.
11 years ago
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,948
Cigarettes indoors is stupid.

I think what really would bring people in is to have something every night of the week. Either a food special, drink special, both, games, etc. There's a brewery here in Berkeley that offers a special beer, "Monkey Head," only on Thursdays. Granted, it's not that great, but people go nuts for it.

If you can make people feel like a) they're getting a good deal, b) they're having a good time, and c) they're having a unique experience, then they will come.
11 years ago
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twin-tip-hero
Posts: 2896 - Karma: 277
For me it's all about whats on draft. I hate going to a damn place and they only have bud light and coores on tap. have a wide variety. try getting a bunch of different imports that people are willing to try. things like that have attracted me to different pubs. like when some of my buddies go, hey man you gotta try this crazy beer from africa, or some shit like that. Different gets attention. and to touch on what a bunch of others have posted, a friendly staff, chill music that's not too loud or too low, more than one pool table and a real non electronic dart board. Also what someone else posted, have your pub have a theme to it. if it's a sports bar, try and pick the local team and support them with a bunch of their memorabilia on the walls. Those are just a few things, but again my real big thing is variety and different imports ON TAP! Best of luck to ya. Also where is your pub??
11 years ago
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last_tango
Posts: 2635 - Karma: 2,665
50cent wings, if its a brew pub thats a ton of bonus points, word of mouth(i have lived in small comunities for the most part), pbr for a dollar, a vibe that isnt grumpy or too drunk alcaholics everywhere, local micro brews and micro brews that arent just ipa's. A lot of people dont want hops in the face all the time.
11 years ago
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-benedetto
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 1,359
Can you post some pictures of the pub? Inside and out?
11 years ago
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HolySchimmel
Posts: 1601 - Karma: 1,295
.Rybak.If hes still living in MN its illegal to smoke in bars now. Like it is everywhere else in the u.s.


Good that I live in Austria where you can smoke in basically every bar/club you want.
And just to make clear, if I sit at a table with other people, I would ask them if they mind if I smoke. It's not like I'm a heavy smoker, I usually don't smoke unless I'm out drinking because I just think it fits way too good.
11 years ago
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