 |
 |
March 7, 2008
March is here, and as a bartender I am salivating at
the amount of tips I project for this month. This is
the month for March Madness, and more importantly it
is time to prepare for the celebration of “St.
Patrick’s Day!” Although your bar may not be deemed an
“Irish Pub” there is not a rule that states you have
to be an “Irish Pub” to celebrate St. Patty’s Day!
There is no time like the present to begin putting
plans into action in preparation for one of the
biggest alcohol related festivities of the year. If
you are familiar with my past blogs then you already
know I am full of ideas to maximize business and
profits, and I truly enjoy sharing all information
with whoever will listen!
After years of trial and error I have a couple of
ideas that have been tried and tested. First and
foremost I suggest whatever you decide to do, to
advertise at least a week before everything will take
place, whether it is with flyers, radio spots, and or
by the marquees outside of your business. It has been
proven the more you advertise the better the turn out.
With all of that being said I recommend extending your
business hours for Monday March 17, 2008! Instead of
opening and closing during your regular business hours
prepare to open at 8am or even 7am, staying open all
day and night.
If it’s right for your bar, I suggest you implement a cover charge (being that you have to pay your staff for extended hours), and to really get folks in the door early make it so the first 50-100 people get in free.
If your bar is open all day long and you want people to
continue drinking and celebrating it is only natural
you offer them a reason to stay, and there is nothing
like food to keep the party going. I suggest you offer
a breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet (included in the
cover charge of course). And there is nothing like a
traditional St. Patty’s Day breakfast to start the day
(consisting of Irish Bacon, Eggs with tomatoes, and
mushrooms, and Soda Bread), Corned Beef and Cabbage
for lunch, and Irish Stew for Dinner.
Entertainment is another key component you will need
to focus on. I believe drinking and dancing go
hand-in-hand. If you have room I suggest you designate
one for dancing, and the other for lounging, drinking
etc. For those of you who do not have a room to
designate, be sure to clear out space to allow those
who have happy feet be able to express themselves.
Keep in mind the more your customers dance, the
thirstier they will become. You may also want to hire
a live band if only for two or three hours in the
evening. This will give people a reason to agree to
pay a cover charge, it’s definitely a crowd pleaser,
and after the live band keep the DJ spinning and party
going! And just to keep the mood light and fun, have
a comical “Lucky Leprechaun” make a guest appearance
to “play” with your customers! There’s nothing like a
good laugh, when you are feeling great!
I know you are wondering what about the drink
specials?? Believe me I did not forget about the most
important component of this day! Of course you will
have specials on pitchers/mugs of green beer, Irish Whiskey shots, traditional
Irish cocktails (Irish Car Bomb etc.), but let’s live
on the edge a little and add some green shots that are
off the beaten path! And of course you know I have
a recipe up my sleeve!
Lucky Leprechaun
1 oz. Melon Liqueur
1 oz. Vodka
¾ oz. Daily’s Triple Sec
¾ oz. Daily’s Sweet & Sour
1 Dash Daily’s Lime Juice
Fill ice in shaker combine all ingredients, shake vigorously and strain into shot glass
May the Luck of the Irish be with all of you this St. Patty’s Day!
|
 |
