Running a restaurant isn’t just about cooking and serving good food (though that’s a must, of course!). I love going to a restaurant to be out and about with loved ones, enjoying good food, good company and no washing up. It’s a special time. If you have a restaurant, you could consider running events. Special events at restaurants give people an extra reason to visit and stay to enjoy the experience. They also give a good reason to come back again. Trust me, I’ve been to lots of great events at some of my favourite restaurants and they’ve been brilliant.
Events That Restaurants Can Run
You’ll also find that by running events, these sessions will help fill those quieter evenings, introduce new dishes or drinks, and create a bit of a talking point about your restaurant, whether that’s your customers talking online or in person. Hello social media sharing! Setting up events is even easier than you think, especially if you’ve got a restaurant event management app to hand, which can take care of all the ticketing and administration. So, if you’ve been thinking about trying something new at your restaurant, here are ten event ideas that could really get your customers excited.
This is a collaborative post.
- Wine or Cocktail Tasting Nights
This is perfect if you have a great wine list, local connections to a brewery or distillery or a talented bartender. You could set up an evening where guests can try a few different wines or cocktails. You could offer tasting tips, share what flavours go into the cocktails or even share some special, local wines like we have here in one of our many Kent wineries. I’ve been to restaurants where they have a paired tasting menu. It’s a great way to show off what you do best while giving your customers a fun night out.
- Themed Food Evenings
Who doesn’t love a themed night? You could have an Oktoberfest theme, a Mexican night, Fish and Chip Friday or whatever else you can think of. Go to whole way and decorate your restaurant to match the theme, get some music playing, and it will feel really special. It’s the perfect way to show off your venue, have something fun and interesting for your staff, and keep your regular customers coming back for something new.
- Live Music Nights
There’s something magical about live music in a restaurant. It instantly lifts the atmosphere. Do your research and hire a local acoustic artist or a jazz duo. What’s worked well in other venues that you’ve been to?
I would suggest nothing too overpowering, just enough to create a lovely, relaxed vibe. These nights are especially nice on weekends when people are out to unwind, and a bit of music can go well with dinner. I once went to once where there was a very loud accordion playing, and it was just too much for the venue and the people trying to chat over dinner.
- Chef’s Table or Tasting Menu Experience
If you’ve some serious talent in your kitchen, give them the spotlight! You could host a special evening where guests can enjoy a set tasting menu with a little insight into each dish.
It would depend on where your kitchen is in relation to the dining space, but you could even seat them near the kitchen so they can watch the magic happen. It’s a lovely way to give diners something a bit more personal and memorable. A tasting menu is lovely for a customer as they get to try things they may not have had to order before.
- Family Fun Days
It’s easy to forget that families love eating out too, but sometimes they just need a reason. Try a family roast on a Sunday or a kids-eat-free offer with a few fun activities thrown in. If there’s entertainment on offer, parents will flock to your venue. You could have a colouring competition, pizza-making for kids, or an entertainer visiting tables. Trust me, face painting or balloon making goes down a treat with kids – and their parents.
- Quiz or Bingo Nights
If you want something that guarantees laughter and a great atmosphere all night long, you can’t go wrong with a quiz or bingo night. If you are going to host an event like this, why not add a theme and work the food and drinks into the theme? You could do a film quiz, musical bingo or even an 80s quiz. I’ve been to one of those, and it was so much fun. Throw in some prizes like vouchers or free desserts, and your event will be a hit.
- Seasonal Events
Make the most of the calendar! There are so many events to choose from. You could host a Valentine’s dinner, a Mother’s Day lunch, Christmas nibbles and drinks, fireworks specials, St George’s Day or pretty much anything you can think of.
You’ll find that even smaller dates, like Pancake Day or Bonfire Night, can be fun excuses for themed specials. Little touches, like decorations, a special, themed drink, or desserts incorporating the event, make a big difference. You’ll also find that this will be shared on people’s social media, so it’s free advertising too.
- Charity or Community Nights
You’ll find that most people love to support a good cause, especially if it means they get to enjoy a lovely meal at the same time. Why not team up with a local charity that you respect and align with their goals?
You could donate a percentage of the evening’s sales and ask customers for a donation. You may find running a raffle with fantastic prizes works well. It not only gives back but also helps you connect with your local community on a deeper level.
- Cooking Classes or Demonstrations
I love this as it is so interactive. Offer a class where people can learn to make one of your signature dishes or a cocktail-making session at the bar. I made my own pizza at a restaurant once, and it was brilliant fun. These events are always popular because they’re hands-on, and often people either eat what they’ve made or can take it home.
- Local Supplier Showcases
If you’re proud that you use local produce with a small carbon footprint in your restaurant, why not celebrate this? You could have an evening built around your local suppliers and a menu to celebrate this.
It would be great to invite your suppliers too. They can chat to your customers and enjoy finding out about their interests and where they come from. I’ve been to one of these, and all the customers were seated on long trestle tables. The dishes were served ‘family style’ and it was really different and lovely. I got chatting to all different people, and it was such a lovely evening.
It really is a lovely way to support local businesses and show off the quality behind your food.
Running events at your restaurant isn’t just about filling seats. It’s about creating those little moments that make people smile. You’ll find that the live music in the background, the friendly competition of a quiz, or that perfect bite of food during a tasting evening can really help to build loyalty amongst your customer base, whilst also adding to the bottom line of your business.
Whether you go big or start small, these events can really help you build a loyal following and bring a bit of extra sparkle to your restaurant week after week. You’ll also find the free publicity, as people share your events online, to be a win-win. What event will you plan first?