5 ways to prepare your bar for the expected $5B in St. Patty's Day sales.

As the saying goes, “everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.” Whether you represent the Emerald Isle every day of the year or only on March 17, one thing is clear: You need to come up with ways to get your share of the billions of dollars that establishments make at this time of the year.

1. Get prepared well in advance.

Yours is not the only bar or restaurant looking to turn green into gold this St. Patty’s Day. Therefore, you need to take action to rise above the rest by coming up with holiday drink and menu specials, along with replenishing your inventory, to keep everything flowing on the big day.

The point of sale solution provided by your payment processing for bars company will be your best friend during this process. Use it to create reports about last year’s sales so that you can make accurate predictions about what to buy. Then, harness its database functions to alert your regulars about your March 17 plans.

2. Advertise using every possible channel.

Before the big day, polish up your online presence. That means revitalizing those social media pages that you have left to languish. Begin dialoguing with your followers about what you have in mind for the celebrations, and don’t be afraid to gather their opinions. “By popular request” is a phrase that shows your regulars that you really are listening to what they want from your bar.

Additionally, don’t assume that people know about your special offerings. Prominently display them throughout your bar, on your menus, on table tents, and even in the bathrooms. That’s the best way to capitalize on all the hard work you have put into creating them.

3. Boost your efficiency on the big day.

If possible, make some adjustments to the layout of your bar to encourage maximum productivity. You might want to consider selling mixed drinks in one part of the room and draft beer in another. The most important concern is to make sure that employees can move swiftly through the crowds to provide fast service.

4. Make a three-drink maximum rule.

You don’t necessarily need to do this during the rest of the year, however, limiting the number of drinks that one person or group can order at a time helps to ensure that all patrons get what they want quickly. It also helps to moderate the intake of some of your more boisterous imbibers.

5. Set up your bartenders for success.

Thanks to your forward thinking, you have everything you need to succeed on this busy day. Just don’t leave your bartenders hanging. Give them plenty of change and small bills to ensure that they don’t need to scramble to resolve a tab. Furthermore, have plastic cups in stock so that there is never a time when customers cannot be served, even if every item of glassware is currently being used.

Most of all, intentionally create a mood of celebration and fun in your staff and customers. On this of all days, people want to forget their cares, whether or not they have even a drop of Irish blood flowing through their veins. Simply by incorporating these tips into your plans for this year, you can increase your chances of having the best and most lucrative St. Patrick’s Day ever.