Is your bar ready to reap the benefits of St. Patrick's Day celebrations?

For many food and drink establishments, St. Patrick’s Day is the most profitable time of the year. Once mid-March arrives, it seems like everyone suddenly becomes Irish and wants to celebrate with drinks, food, music, and merriment. As the owner of a bar, planning for the rush of customers means much more than ordering green food coloring for the beer. Let’s look at how having the right payment processing for bars in place can help you pad your pockets this St. Paddy’s Day. 

Take a look at your inventory.

If you have a point of sale (POS) system that has been updated at any time during the past few years, you are probably already taking advantage of its many features that extend beyond simply accepting payments. For instance, your system may shine when it comes to inventory management. Preparing for St. Patrick’’s Day requires that you understand just what you have in stock. That way, you’ll have a clear idea of how much extra food and alcohol to order in advance.

Your system should also keep a record of every item and bottle that you have purchased. Additionally, you should be able to use its reports feature to quickly create a document showing sales trends at specific dates and times. If you have been in business for several years, you can then instantly get a sense of the extent to which your sales ballooned on and around March 17. This is one of the key benefits of your system.

Get the word out.

Most towns have several drinking establishments, and it’s a sure bet that the majority of them will be eager to get in on the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. For that reason, you need to come up with ways to stand out from your many competitors.

A week or two before the big day, consider mounting an aggressive marketing campaign to get the buzz going about all the fun you will be having at your bar. Harness the power of social media, which often gives you multiple forums for free and low-cost advertising. Augment this tactic with old-school bulletin board announcements targeted to your core audience. For instance, grocery store and college bulletin boards often cater to the interests of the young over-21 demographic.

Take your entertainment to the next level.

St. Patrick’s Day is a time for lighthearted celebration, drinking, eating, and music. Cater to your customers’ desire to channel their inner Irishman by offering entertainment that evokes the Emerald Isle. It could be in the form of curated playlists or even tunes played by a band. Just be sure the musical selections are fun and upbeat to keep the party lively.

Dress for the occasion.

We’re not just talking about wearing a green armband. Remember, you’re in it to win it, so get costumed up for the occasion, and consider requiring your staff to do so as well. You could even sponsor a costume contest featuring an enticing prize for the winner.

Be creative with your drinks.

Sure, green beer is a staple. However, it doesn’t need to be the only Irish-inspired beverage that you feature. Jell-O shots are inexpensive, easy to make, and fun. You might also whip up an Irish Mule, a clover whiskey sour, or a delicious Bailey’s s’mores float.

Don’t forget about the food.

If you want customers to stay at your Irish-inspired celebration for more than just a few minutes, food is a must. And since you’re going to be preparing things in the kitchen, why not make your meal offerings as memorable as your alcoholic beverages?

Most patrons will automatically go for a heaping plate of corn beef and cabbage, but others will crave variety. If your kitchen staff has the chops, lure the hungry with savory fish and chips, Irish cottage pie, or bangers and mash. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with peppermint stick ice cream, treats made from Lucky Charms cereal, or shamrock-shaped cookies.

Capture information about new customers.

Although many of the folks bending an elbow at your bar on and around St. Patrick’s Day will be regulars, there will be newcomers as well. This time of year offers you the opportunity to learn more about these guests so that you can include them in promotional advertising year round. 

Just how do you go about obtaining their email addresses or other contact details? Motivate customers to provide this data by entering them into a drawing. Alternatively, offer a free or discounted drink, or complimentary food item. Don’t worry: You’ll recover whatever small cost you pay at the outset when they return to your establishment and bring their friends.

Although St. Paddy’s represents just one day on the calendar, it can make a huge difference for your bar. Don’t pass up the chance to make the most of this holiday with fun food, drinks, and entertainment offerings. If you prepare in advance and ensure that your staff is well-trained and fully participates, you can expect the luck of the Irish to follow you for many months to come.