This is our first nightclub consultant overview of what is going on in the bar, night club and food and beverage industry. Each week we will bring you what’s hot – and maybe what’s not – along with some happenings specific to your business if you are an owner, operator or investor. In addition, brief takeaways and commentary will be included to help you maximize your income and return-on-investment. This week’s recap is about mixologists or bartenders in a simpler world! Like Chefs, who are becoming the name sake and heart of a restaurant’s success, key Bartenders are now the trend in popularizing a local watering spot. Here’s a recap of two programs with ideas to incorporate into your operation: The NRA (not to be confused with the National Rifle Association) is running a competition for the “Star of the Bar” to be held at its annual convention in May. This is a chance to get your bar staff involved while gaining some national recognition as well. One takeaway here, while you are writing a new restaurant business plan or updating current bar and nightclub promotions, is to create something very similar but more localized. In other words, ride the trend! Many restaurants, bars and nightclubs already have an employee of the month program. However, a “Bartender of the Month” promotion is quickly becoming a way to recognize staff, gain community goodwill and increase bar sales activity from a nightclub consultant viewpoint. Make sure to get your liquor distributors on board as they are always looking to provide marketing materials and sell their products! Are you currently running bartending competitions or recognizing key bartenders? What type of program is it and from an owner, nightclub consultant or investor perspective is the least time consuming to implement in your experience??
