In the competitive bar industry, great drinks alone won’t guarantee customer loyalty. Adding bar games can transform your venue into a social hotspot, boosting engagement and revenue. Here's a quick summary of game ideas that can keep patrons returning:
- Classic Games with a Twist: Oversized shuffleboard, bartender challenges, and digital golf leagues.
- Interactive Trivia: Smartphone-based speed rounds, themed trivia nights, and team-based tournaments.
- Tech-Based Entertainment: Jet-Pong (arcade beer pong), interactive touch bar games, and Tap TV Trivia.
- Social Group Games: SINGO (music-themed bingo) to encourage fun and connection.
Key Benefits:
- Attract customers on slower nights
- Increase revenue (e.g., trivia nights can double sales)
- Build a community and encourage repeat visits
Top 10 Pub Games
1. Classic Games with a Twist
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Giant Shuffleboard Tournaments
The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club in Brooklyn and Chicago has taken shuffleboard to the next level with oversized courts. These larger setups allow for more players and create an exciting atmosphere for spectators. The club hosts leagues and regular tournaments, making it a go-to spot for shuffleboard enthusiasts. -
Interactive Bartender Challenges
Spice up weekday nights by hosting bartender challenge events. Patrons can compete with staff in quick games like dice rolls or rock-paper-scissors to win drink discounts. It's a simple way to get more people through the door on slower evenings. -
Digital Golf League Nights
Turn quiet evenings into lively ones with digital golf leagues. These events breathe new life into classic arcade golf games, turning them into high-energy tournaments that draw a crowd.
"Adding bar games to the vibe of your restaurant or pub can be a small investment for a big return", says industry expert Connie Lin.
These updated takes on traditional games succeed because they keep the charm of the classics while adding a social and competitive edge. To make the most of these ideas, try scheduling different games on various nights to cater to a range of interests. Regular tournaments can attract dedicated players, while casual options ensure newcomers feel welcome. These fresh spins on familiar games pave the way for even more engaging challenges.
2. Interactive Trivia
Interactive trivia is a fun way to bring energy to your venue, especially on slower nights. These events can turn quiet weeknights into lively gatherings.
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Digital Speed Rounds
Forget paper and pens - digital speed rounds let players use their smartphones to submit answers instantly. This not only cuts down on cheating but also keeps the game fast-paced and exciting. Since 2011, over 417,280 sessions have been hosted this way. -
Multi-Round Theme Nights
With 40+ questions spread across four rounds (three standard and one picture round), theme nights offer a mix of topics like pop culture, sports, history, and geography. Bar owners often match themes to current events or seasons and add drink specials to the mix. Hosting these events midweek (Tuesday through Thursday) can make traditionally slow nights much busier. -
Team-Based Tournaments
Teams of 4–6 compete in ongoing tournaments, adding a layer of friendly competition and encouraging social interaction. Scheduled breaks for drinks keep the energy up, and grand prizes at the end of the series ensure players keep coming back week after week.
Pair these trivia nights with themed cocktails and clear rules for resolving disputes to create an even better experience. This sets the stage for more tech-driven entertainment options in the future.
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3. Tech-Based Entertainment
Modern technology is bringing new life to bar entertainment, offering exciting and interactive experiences that keep customers engaged. Here are three tech-driven options making waves in the bar scene:
Jet-Pong: Arcade-Style Beer Pong
Jet-Pong takes the classic beer pong game and gives it a high-tech twist. It features automatic ball returns, LED animations, and electronic scoring. At 8bit Brewing Company, this game has become a standout attraction, pulling in $3,600 per month in revenue. As Mark Taylor, President of Beer Pong Canada, puts it:
"Jet-Pong is the first true innovation in the bar & gaming industry in decades, something that beer pong players of all ages have been waiting for".
Interactive Touch Bar Games
Kleebtronics' "Touch Bar" system turns regular bar surfaces into interactive gaming zones. Using projection technology and smart tracking, this pong-style shooting game lets players use their drinks as game pieces. Teams defend their zones by moving glasses, which are tracked through TUIO ID tags attached to the bottoms. It’s a fun, hands-on way to shake up the traditional bar experience.
Tap TV Trivia Integration
Tap TV Trivia transforms a bar's TVs into interactive trivia hubs. Customers join the action with their smartphones, competing in real-time with scores displayed on the screen. With tournaments across various categories, this platform creates a lively, social environment that keeps patrons coming back for more.
Consider setting up tournaments to boost customer participation and loyalty.
4. Social Group Games
Social group games, like SINGO, provide a fun and laid-back way to keep patrons engaged and coming back for more.
SINGO puts a fresh spin on bingo by swapping out numbers for song titles. As music clips play, participants mark off the matching song titles on their cards. The first to complete a row shouts "SINGO!" and takes home a prize.
This game creates a lively atmosphere where players can sing along, laugh, and enjoy some friendly competition. Its casual setup also makes it easy for people to chat and connect between rounds, offering a more relaxed option compared to traditional trivia nights.
To get the most out of SINGO:
- Offer prizes for winners each night
- Organize larger contests on a regional or national level
- Schedule games on quieter nights to draw in more customers
Conclusion
Data reveals that hosting engaging bar games can significantly boost a venue's success. For example, Brooklyn Brewery's Thursday trivia nights have doubled their sales, Varsity Sports Cafe brings in an extra $2,000 to $3,000 during trivia events, and The Tap Yard sees a 30% revenue jump on trivia nights. Similarly, Talea Beer Co. in Brooklyn reports trivia nights delivering nearly twice the revenue compared to other weeknights. These results align with broader trends: 82% of Americans have visited eatertainment venues, and over half are eager to return.
"They want something that's enriching and engaging and is more than just taking shots or slamming beers... Trivia is easy and fun, good for big groups or couples, and you can find it usually just down the block." - Megan Fitzgerald, Director of Brand Experience at Talea Beer Co.
To get the most out of bar games, consider these key strategies:
- Schedule games during slower times: This can help draw in more customers when business is typically slower. Nick Marking from The Tap Yard emphasizes, "Trivia is profitable during slow times."
- Offer a variety of games: Combine classic games with modern twists, interactive trivia, and group activities to appeal to a wide range of patrons.
- Create a sense of community: Games can make your bar more than just a place to grab a drink - they can turn it into a local hotspot where people come to connect and socialize.
With 18% of customers saying they'd visit more often if regular trivia nights were offered, adding game nights is a smart move to increase traffic, boost revenue, and keep customers coming back.