If you own a pub, you’ll know how important it is to adapt to the seasons so you can attract visitors all year round – maintaining steady footfall is vital. A good and often reliable way of doing this is by hosting themed events.
As the evenings get darker and the weather becomes more unreliable, people naturally want to spend their time enjoying cosy environments and embracing seasonal activities. As a pub owner, you can offer an alternative to the often-repetitive nights in front of the television at this time of year.
Here are some things to consider when organising a successful autumn-themed evening at your pub.
Cosy décor and ambiance
When putting on a themed night, décor is everything. It helps to create a welcoming atmosphere and encourages guests to get into the spirit of the occasion.
Warm lighting is key and, if you have fireplaces, be sure to put these to use to create the perfect atmosphere. Candles and lamps are also great options for creating the ideal mood lighting.
Other decorative options include seasonal foliage with vibrant oranges and greens to add a rustic feel to the space. Otherwise, tartan soft furnishings and sheepskin throws are popular choices to enhance the space.
Autumn-inspired food and drink menus
Go all out with a menu inspired by classic autumnal food and drink that will warm punters’ bellies. You could serve hearty stews and pies with hot desserts.
If you’re hosting your event near Halloween, you could incorporate sweet and savoury pumpkin dishes into your menu. Meanwhile, Bonfire Night lends itself to hot dogs and toffee apples.
Don’t forget to create a unique and eye-catching drinks menu. You could serve spiced ciders, one-off cocktails and loaded hot chocolates to attract those wanting something a little different. The goal is to recreate a cosy night in – but at the pub.
Entertainment
Whether you’re aligning your evening with Bonfire Night or Halloween, it’s important to choose the right entertainment. Anything from live music to quiz nights can help to create the ideal format, encouraging people to stay throughout the event.
If you can encourage guests to stay longer, you’ll sell more food and drink. It’s in your interest to come up with something that will create a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.
Preparing for unpredictable weather
Autumn weather in the UK can vary, to say the least. At this time of year, it can be comforting to explore comprehensive pub insurance policies that cover weather-related incidents. Without one, you risk compromising footfall if you can’t afford costly repairs.
Ideally, you should create an event that can’t or won’t be disrupted by wind or rain. This could mean it’s worthwhile investing in outdoor heaters and ensuring outdoor areas are at least partially covered. Creating warm and comfortable indoor setups, meanwhile, will encourage people to get settled in for the evening.
