{"id":6509,"date":"2018-02-14T21:45:10","date_gmt":"2018-02-14T21:45:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/?p=6509"},"modified":"2022-01-21T13:00:27","modified_gmt":"2022-01-21T18:00:27","slug":"st-patricks-day-restaurant-promotions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/st-patricks-day-restaurant-promotions\/","title":{"rendered":"Five St. Patrick\u2019s Day Restaurant Promotions to Turn Your Competitors Green"},"content":{"rendered":"

Restaurateurs can turn their competitors green with envy by taking advantage of St. Patrick\u2019s Day parades and promotions to excite their customers and welcome spring.<\/p>\n

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St. Patrick\u2019s Day Restaurant Promotions<\/h2>\n

St. Patrick\u2019s Day has great potential for increasing revenue for many days before and after the holiday. Restaurateurs and bar owners can do many things beyond offering green beer and Irish Coffee to market the holiday, increase revenue, attract new customers and get regular customers excited.<\/p>\n

Choosing a Promotional Angle<\/h3>\n

Getting the most mileage for a St. Patrick\u2019s Day event depends on the restaurant\u2019s type of customers. Most people plan to visit a bar or restaurant on the holiday. Since the holiday is on a Saturday, some restaurants promote the drinking and celebrating aspects on the previous weekend.<\/p>\n

Restaurateurs get more mileage from the holiday by holding promotions from Friday evening until Tuesday. Lots of cities schedule their parades on Saturday the 17th. Restaurants can offer Irish dishes, special menus and Irish bar favorites for an extended period.<\/p>\n

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The following five ideas offer some insights into what makes a successful St. Patrick\u2019s Day promotion:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Special Irish Menu<\/h3>\n

Offer special Irish foods. Corned beef and cabbage are traditional, and restaurants can serve a boiled dinner of corned beef with cabbage, onions, celery and baby carrots. Provide Irish soda bread, or serve potato soup. Bars can offer special selections of Irish beers and signature \u201cIrish Coffee\u201d beverages.<\/p>\n

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2. St. Patrick\u2019s Day Scavenger Hunt<\/h3>\n

Restaurants can host a search for a pot of gold by providing clues or tasks that customers must complete prior to the holiday and get more mileage from the promotion. This type of event can generate a lot of Internet publicity through the social media.<\/p>\n

St. Patrick\u2019s Day is known for drinking and partying, so restaurants and bars can hire rock bands or even feature Celtic music for several days prior to the event to generate interest. Upscale and cerebral establishments might consider hosting a moody Irish poetry night with poetry readings. Other ideas include open mike nights, karaoke and similar kinds of entertainment with an Irish theme.<\/p>\n

4. Offer Special Services<\/h3>\n

St. Patrick\u2019s Day often results in people becoming too intoxicated to drive. Restaurants can sponsor events like free meals for designated drivers and free services to arrange rides for people under the influence. Urban restaurants might partner with a nearby hotel to create a St. Patrick\u2019s Day weekend getaway. Restaurants can tap into social networking by hosting contests and posting photos of costumes or foods. Family-oriented restaurants can offer readings of Irish fairy tales and arrange an in-house photographer or artist to capture the fun and excitement of the event.<\/p>\n

5. Host a Community Party<\/h3>\n

Restaurants can also engage their business neighbors to host a community party for the holiday with music, entertainment, Irish food and an outdoor \u201cgreen beer\u201d garden. Block parties can engage new customers for the restaurant who get exposed to the restaurant\u2019s brand and cuisine.<\/p>\n

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Decorating and Promoting<\/h3>\n

Restaurants and bars can decorate in various styles, but simple cutouts and green decorations usually suffice for people who often celebrate by overindulging in parades, dressing up and enjoying alcoholic beverages.<\/p>\n

Crowds pouring in from a parade won\u2019t notice subtleties, but upscale diners might appreciate traditional green shamrocks or green centerpieces on each table.<\/p>\n

Another idea is to add just a few green accents strategically that regulars will notice and appreciate. Green tablecloths or linen napkins also add just the right touch for classier restaurants.<\/p>\n

Decorations include lots of green and gold, and sustainable restaurants can bring in some live greenery to enliven the atmosphere.<\/p>\n

The more festive your interior, the more likely it is that groups will take photos, hashtag, and geotag your location \u2013 this means free user-generated advertising!<\/p>\n

Traditional St. Patrick\u2019s Day decorations don\u2019t need to be expensive and can include:<\/strong><\/p>\n