September is here. Back to school, bye to summer…and hello football!
Or do I mean hello fall? Nah, I mean football! September gives us the best excuse to spend time at game day hot spots on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Football fans abound in this country and football watching is intrinsically linked to food, beer and alcohol beverages. How, though, do operators coax these sports fans away from the comfort and convenience of their couches and flat screen televisions?
Here are some wily ways bars are setting themselves apart to guarantee loyal attendance this football season.
(Word)Play Packages
Van Diemens in New York City put together a number of package deals for fans to choose from. They’re available on every NFL game day during the regular season (9/10-12/31/2015):
1st down, $40: All you can drink select beers, choice of 2 select apps or an order of wings, plus one free post game drink card (per person).
2nd down, $50: A tower of select beers, a bucket of wings and 2 free post game drink cards (meant to share).
3rd, $75: Four pitchers of select beer, a bucket of wings, 5 mini sliders and 4 free post game drink cards.
4th, $100: Two towers, a bucket of wings and 6 post game drink cards.
They Score, You Score
At Griff’s Irish Pub in Houston, there are free Jell-O Shots for all when the Houston Texans score a touchdown.
At The Post in St. Louis, you get a free rampage shot for every Tavon Austin touchdown. Bring in your ticket stub the day of a St. Louis Rams game and score 20% off your bill. They also give away 2 Rams tickets during every home game.
At Thirsty Buffalo in, well, Buffalo, you get goal horns, lights and a buffalo that blows smoke when the Buffalo Bills score. Nothing you can actually consume, but it sure adds to the excitement.
Free, Fun Transportation
At Ballard Loft in Seattle, fans can get a ride to and from the Seahawks home games on their party bus. For $35, you get a breakfast item of your choice, a promotional cocktail or beer with your breakfast, round-trip transportation in a luxury party bus equipped with music, TVs and even flashy lights to celebrate victories, onboard beverages to and from the game and happy hour drink prices pre- and postgame.
The Sports Column in Denver offers free shuttle service to and from home games with any proof of purchase at the bar.
If you buy any food or drink item at Flannery’s in St. Louis, you can hop aboard the free shuttle to the Rams home games.
Loyalty Programs
McGillan’s Olde Ale House in Philadelphia, PA is running their 10th Annual Super Mug Special. The Eagles Super Mugs cost $5, served with Bud Light. If you bring your mug back during any Philadelphia Eagles game all season, you get Bud Light in the mug for only $1. Owner and manager Chris Mullins says they have 350 mugs that will go on sale on opening day. It’s almost like a rewards program geared towards their most loyal customers. They’re usually sold out by the second week of the season so get yours while they last.
At both Stoney's and Stoney's on L in Washington, D.C., the $30 NFL Black Card, first introduced in 2014, is back this season. NFL Black Card carrying members get their first beer free on every 2015-2016 NFL game day (Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Saturday) until the Super Bowl. They also get their names entered into a drawing to win a free Super Bowl party.
Green Bay Packers bar Herkimer Pub & Brewery in Minneapolis, Minnesota is selling passports and a Mug Club membership for $20. Every time you come out for a Packers game, you get 22 ounces of beer in your mug for the price of a pint, plus a stamp in your passport. As your stamps add up, you achieve different rewards like 2 free beers for 5 stamps or a jalapeño IPA corndog for 10. From August 13 through September 13, Herkimer is selling special gift cards that will triple in value if the Packers win the Super Bowl.
Need more sports themed promotions? Attend the 2016 Nightclub & Bar conference session on Marketing Your Sports Bar.