Marketing for Bars: 9 Game-Changing Ideas to Get New Customers and Coming Back

Most bars don’t know this, but their biggest competitor isn’t the pub across the street.

It’s the couch.

Streaming. Takeout. Cheap wine. No dress code. No small talk. Just comfort.

That’s what you’re up against every night.

If your bar isn’t worth leaving the house for, you’re invisible — no matter how good your drinks are.

Let’s fix that.

This post breaks down 9 proven tactics for marketing your bar — all designed to boost awareness, get new customers, and actually get people coming back. 

What’s in this post:

• How to actually stand out on Google Maps
  
• Social media tactics that work for bars
  
• Smart ways to get new customers in the door
  
• Tricks to keep people coming back
  
• Free marketing ideas that get real results

Use them well, and you won’t just get foot traffic. You’ll build a crowd that turns into community.

1. Stop Guessing — Know Your Locals First

You can’t win if you don’t know who you’re playing for.

And most bars skip this step completely. They post flyers. Run Instagram ads. But they’re aiming blind.

You need to know:

• Who are the right customers for your bar?
  
• Where are they?
  
• What do they care about?
  

Start here:

1. Look at your regulars.
   Who are they? Why do they come? What do they order?
   
2. Check your Google reviews.
   Look for patterns in the compliments (vibe, music, drinks, staff).
   
3. Talk to guests.
   Ask simple stuff like: “How’d you find us?” or “What made you come in?”
   
4. Use a QR code survey.
   Offer a free shot or snack for answering 3 questions:
   
   • Where do you live?
     
   • How often do you go out?
     
   • What makes you come back to a bar?
     
5. Walk the neighborhood.
   See who’s around at different times. Chat with nearby businesses. Notice where people hang out.
   

Once you know who you’re for, everything else becomes easier — your promos, your pricing, your events, even your music.

2. Your Social Media Isn’t Dead. It’s Just Missing This.

You’re posting pictures of drinks and saying “Come join us!”

And no one’s coming.

Here’s why: You’re using Instagram like a digital flyer. But social media isn’t for broadcasting. It’s for connection.

People don’t follow bars to see menus. They follow to feel something.

Fix it with this rule: Show people, show experiences, show emotions. Not products, not services, not you.

What to post instead:

• Faces behind the bar. People connect with people.
  
• Guest shoutouts. Take pics (with permission), tag them, make them feel seen.
  
• Behind-the-scenes. Prepping a cocktail? Tuning the speakers? Show it.
  
• Polls & stories. Ask followers what song should open the night. Or which new drink they’d try.
  
• Short, fun videos. What’s the weirdest drink you’ve ever made? Quick cocktail recipe? 15-second clips crush.
  

Platforms to focus on:

• Instagram — for visuals and stories
  
• TikTok — for viral reach (use trending sounds)
  
• Facebook — for events and local community
  
• Google Posts — for showing up when people search “bars near me”
  

Stop saying “Check us out tonight.”

Start saying: “Here’s why tonight is worth leaving your couch, and you won’t regret it.”

3. Email Isn’t Dead — It’s Your Most Underrated Tool

Most bar owners think email is for big chains or restaurants.

Wrong.

Email works crazy well — especially for bars — because:

• It’s personal
  
• It’s cheap
  
• And people actually check it
  

If you build a simple email list, you’ve got a direct line to your best guests — the ones who’ll come back, bring friends, and spend money. 

You can talk about whatever you like. Highlights, exclusive deals and promotions, events, news, and more. 

How to build your list:

• Add a QR code on menus: “Sign up for early invites + free drinks”
  
• Offer something small: First drink half-off, a surprise shot, or “VIP alerts”
  
• Collect emails during bookings or WiFi logins
  
• With every reservation you get (you should get their email, right?)

In case you want to read it again, here is what you can send:

What to send:

You don’t need daily newsletters. Just 2 emails a month:

1. What’s new: Upcoming events, new drinks, changes to hours, collabs
   
2. A story or spotlight: Behind the scenes, bartender tips, regular guest features
   
3. Upcoming specials or deals: Limited-time offers, happy hour promos, holiday menus
   
4. Customer shoutouts: Feature a loyal customer, share testimonials, birthday shoutouts
   
5. Local love: Partner spotlights, neighborhood happenings, community involvement

Bonus move: Offer early access to theme nights or limited tables to subscribers only. That makes your list feel exclusive — not spammy.

4. Google Maps > Instagram

You want more people walking in?

Fix your Google profile before you post another Instagram story. Or a TikTok one.

Most people don’t discover bars by scrolling. They Google “bars near me” or “cocktails”. If you’re not showing up — or your profile looks half-dead — they’ll skip you. 

And trust me, those keywords have quite a lot of searches per month.

Don’t miss out on them.

What to fix right now:

• Photos: Add new ones every month — real drinks, people having fun, your space at night
  
• Hours: Update regularly (especially holidays or pop-up events)
  
• Description: Use terms people actually search for — “craft cocktails,” “karaoke bar,” “sports bar,” etc.
  
• Menu link: Add one if you have a food or drink menu
  
• Google Posts: Promote events weekly — trivia nights, DJs, new drinks
  
• Reviews: Respond to every single one (good or bad)
  
• Get personal: Request a review to every customer you get
  

According to Google, 73% of local searches lead to a visit within 24 hours.

This is your first impression. If it looks stale or messy, you’re not even in the game.

5. Turn Slow Nights Into Your Money Nights

Every bar gets busy on Friday and Saturday.

But what if Monday or Tuesday became your signature nights?

You don’t need new customers — you need a reason for the ones who already like you to come more often.

What to do:

Create recurring events with a clear theme — and make them fun, easy to promote, and easy to remember.

Examples:

• Monday Movie Night – Screen cult films, serve themed drinks. Pick a vibe: Tarantino, ‘90s classics, horror.
  
• Trivia Tuesdays – Partner with a local host or app. Offer prizes (free rounds, merch, bar tabs).
  
• Wildcard Wednesdays – Speed dating, open mic, board games, hot wing contests. Keep it loose.
  
• Local Band Thursdays – Showcase up-and-coming acts. Charge a cover or keep it free with RSVP.
  

How to make them work:

• Give each night a name and identity (think branding, not just logistics)
  
• Promote it the same day every week on all channels (social, email, SMS, in-bar signage)
  
• Reward repeat guests with discounts or perks (e.g., come 3 trivia nights, get your team’s name on the board)
  

Important: One good theme night can become the thing you’re known for. That’s how bars become local legends.

6. Make People Do Your Marketing for You

People already take photos in your bar.

Your job? Make them want to post them — and tag you. That’s “free” exposure and awareness, or perhaps you have to throw in a beer there. Totally worth it.

What works:

• Photo-worthy spots: One cool corner (neon sign, mural, weird statue) can turn into hundreds of social posts.
  
• Signature drinks: Go big on visuals — flaming shots, massive cocktails, wild garnishes, clever names.
  
• Branded stuff: Glassware, napkins, bathroom mirrors — any of it can carry your logo or IG handle.
  
• Monthly contest: “Post your best bar night pic with #MyBarName — winner gets a $50 tab.”
  

And don’t forget:

Always engage with people who tag you. Like, comment, repost. Make them feel like insiders. When guests feel noticed, they’re more likely to share again — and bring others.

Every tag is free marketing. It builds trust. It shows social proof. And it reaches people algorithms can’t.

When people feel seen, they share more. More shares = more reach = more bookings. Simple.

7. Forget Loyalty Cards — Make Them Feel Like a Regular

You don’t need punch cards or apps (actually you kinda do, but that’s another blog).

People come back to places where they feel known — not where they collect points.

Here’s what actually works:

• Name recognition: Train your team to remember regulars’ names and go-to drinks. Nothing beats “The usual?”
  
• Off-menu perks: Create a few “hidden” drinks or shots regulars can unlock. Makes them feel like VIPs.
  
• Priority access: Let loyal guests reserve early for big nights. Or give them first crack at event tickets.
  

How to track it:

• Use your POS system to tag regulars (by email or phone number)
  
• Or go old-school: a physical guestbook with notes about preferences
  

You don’t need a tech stack.

You need consistency, memory, and a bit of showmanship.

When people feel seen and appreciated, they talk about you. That’s the kind of loyalty no app can buy.

8. Partner With Locals to Double Your Reach (Without Spending on Ads)

You’re surrounded by other businesses who also want more foot traffic.

Team up.

Collabs give you new exposure, built-in credibility, and fresh content — without paying Meta another dollar.

Easy collab ideas:

• Cafés or bakeries: “Espresso Martini Night” featuring beans from their roastery.
  
• Fitness studios: “Spin + Sip” — post-class drink deals for members.
  
• Clothing shops: Host a pop-up or sip & shop night with discounts.
  
• Local artists or photographers: Turn your walls into a rotating gallery. Launch each exhibit with a party.
  
• Barbers or salons: Run a grooming + cocktail collab. Great for men’s nights or date-night promos.
  

How to make it work:

• Keep it simple: One night, one promo, one shared post each
  
• Cross-promote on socials and email lists
  
• Take photos and tag each other after — build momentum
  

Every partnership is a chance to get in front of a new audience who already trusts someone else.

That’s not just free reach. It’s warm leads walking in your door.

Each collab = new audience reach + story to tell on socials. It makes your bar a magnet for culture, not just cocktails.

9. Use SMS to Drive Real-Time Results (Without Being Annoying)

Most bars don’t think about texting.

That’s a mistake.

SMS gets open rates over 90%, and it works fast — perfect for last-minute promos, weather-based deals, or event reminders.

But it only works if you use it right.

Here’s what to send:

• “Rainy day deal: 2-for-1 Old Fashioneds ‘til 7. Show this text.”
  
• “Your trivia table’s waiting. Last chance to RSVP for tonight.”
  
• “New mezcal menu drops Friday. You in?”
  

Here’s what not to do:

• Don’t send more than 1-2 texts per week
  
• Don’t use stiff language — keep it casual and on-brand
  
• Don’t blast the same thing to everyone — segment by interest if you can
  

How to build your list:

• Offer SMS alerts for exclusive perks (“VIP night invites” or “first dibs on tables”)
  
• Collect numbers via QR on tables or at checkout
  

Used right, SMS is your “fill the bar tonight” button.

And it’s dirt cheap compared to ads.

💡 Here’s What We Covered:

• Why your couch is your real competition — and how to beat it
  
• How to actually get found on Google Maps
  
• The fix for dead Instagram posts
  
• Theme night ideas that build loyal followings
  
• User-generated content that turns guests into promoters
  
• Local collabs that double your exposure
  
• Loyalty tactics that don’t need an app
  
• SMS marketing that gets butts in seats

Want help applying these to your bar?

Digital Quest is the marketing agency for bars. And we know this for sure: You don’t need to spend big to win big.

You need to show up where people are, give them a reason to come, and make it easy to come back.

We’ll help you do it — and we back it with results.

We guarantee at least 150 walk-ins and reservations — or we work for free.

Want to see what that looks like for your venue?

Book your free strategy call now and get 3 custom marketing ideas for your bar. On the house.