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Best Practices and up to the minute news on Customer Experience Management and Service Excellence
If the growing number of alcohol-free bars popping up tells us anything, it’s that an increasing number of customers are seeking ways to enjoy their evenings out without relying on alcohol.
Sober bars like Sans Bar in Austin, Texas, provide a menu full of drinks, from mocktails that would make you swear you were drinking a full-proof piña colada to original recipes that taste like nothing you’ve ever tried. The catch? There’s not a drop of liquor in the place.
In a recent interview with CNN, Sans Bar owner Chris Marshall says he chooses to focus on the “experience and connection, not the drinks.” It may sound odd, but Marshall has carved himself a comfy spot in a niche market that is set to expand.
Now that recreational weed is legal in 24 states – and that number will surely rise – alcohol isn’t the only way guests can let loose. According to a Gallup poll, people aged 18 to 34 are 10% less likely to drink now than that same age group was 20 years ago. There’s also a rising number of Gen Zers who are exploring the club scene completely sober.
GEM Journal recently featured mocktail ideas to spruce up non-alcoholic menus. Crafting yummy beverages that expand and inspire menus is only one way to serve up something different.
Just because alcohol isn’t the star of the show for some doesn’t mean guests want to avoid bars. They just need an atmosphere that promotes community and accommodates their lifestyles. The time is ripe to create activities and amenities that allow bars to accommodate non-drinkers.
Here are a few ideas from hot spots across the country who are giving guests something to do other than drink.
Looking for a laugh? So are guests! From standup comedy nights to open mics, there are plenty of ways to keep guests entertained. Investing in local talent is an investment worth making, and it’s a surefire way to elevate your space to something more.
Shirley’s Temple, a sober bar in southern California, experiments with herbal-infused beverages that provide health benefits. They also believe laughter is the best medicine, and started adding weekly comedy nights and musical bingo to their evening entertainment roster.
Beyond the typical themed nights, like costumed decade or holiday parties, some bars are taking it a step further by hosting a murder. The successful interactive murder mystery show “Marriage Can Be Murder” is making its way from Las Vegas to Hobe Sound, Florida, settling in for a premiere trial run at The Grove Cucina & Wine Bar.
Although the shows have the option of a wine tasting component, guests won’t need it to get lost in the fun of role-playing and detective work. When it comes to theme nights, bars should think outside the box. There’s so much to explore, and so many ways to incorporate digital and live elements in an escape from reality.
When alcohol is taken out of the equation, it can be understated, or bars can make it a point to carry it across their brand messaging. The Volstead is an alcohol-free bar and vegan restaurant in Philly that celebrates and supports those in recovery.
Its exclusion of alcohol is advertised proudly, so there’s no distraction needed from its menu and space. Instead, patrons are grateful they have a hub where they can be open about their journey. In Good Spirits in Chicago has a similar story, with both owners having life experiences that led them to create a safe sober space for those searching for healing.
Some bars, like San Francisco’s Ocean Beach Café, use adaptogens to give their drinks a “positive buzz.” Adaptogens are becoming widely used, as these herbal supplements are said to help the body adapt to stress, function efficiently, and reduce cortisol levels. The popularity of kava bars is another indication that guests enjoy alcohol alternatives to relax. Kava is made from the ground root of kava plants and known to produce a relaxing effect that only heightens the sense of camaraderie bars are well known for.
Who needs a drink when there are games to be won? Arcades are nothing new, but the way games are incorporated into a space can make all the difference. Consider axe-throwing venues like Chops + Hops in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, whose tagline may be “Throw Axes. Drink Beer.” but definitely offer way more than that. Yes, there is alcohol abound in the large center bar.
But when you’re lost in a game of axe throwing with a group of friends, the last thing on your mind is loading up on alcohol. You will work up an appetite, though, and luckily they serve food. Many bars and pubs have classic games like darts and billiards available to play, and guests who are not looking to drink are more likely to come to places where there’s something else to do.
Guests are inspired to spend if they can get behind a shared mission. There are bars and restaurants around the world who make it a point to share their passion for a worthy charity or organization doing good. Some bars even take it upon themselves to organize community activities that get patrons involved in volunteering.
In Kansas City, Bar K hosted an event to call attention to International Homeless Animals Day to help draw support for local shelter animals. Bar K is a unique property with a fully-staffed dog park and event space. Bar K was able to get the word out in the community about an important issue, all while reinforcing their brand and their positive, do-good vibes.
A totally unique bar experience can be found at Hope St Radio in Melbourne, where the art of listening provides the perfect ambiance for music and wine aficionados alike. The great part about this bar is that you don’t have to drink to hang out and listen to local musicians while enjoying food made from local produce. This digital radio station allows people to come watch them broadcast live, chill while DJs mix vinyl throughout the night, and order off a seasonal menu. Hope St Radio proves that bars can easily delight guests without alcohol needing to steal the limelight.
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