Events For Pubs??????

[Jason_Fisher]

I like the open mic night idea! Like you mentioned, you see them in America, and also on films based in America. I too have not see them in the UK, maybe in London? Good for people with a few jokes, also a few local musicians?

My local welfare had an x-factor style night which was really popular, got in the local paper to promote it too, very busy night.

 

[oldeagleeye]

You guys still don't get it do you.

You could pack the place out with events like Bingo to Shirley Bassey or whatever you ain't going to earn anymore than a husband & wife team running a little country pub where the icing on the cake is a selling few ploughmans lunches.

BTW. Someone mentioned Weatherspoons. Do you know what the dividends are. You invest £100,000 to get back £100 quid a week back. Not far off running a freehold pub yourself worth £500K. Bottom line £500 quid a week in your back pocket.

 

[Jason_Fisher]

You guys still don't get it do you.

You could pack the place out with events like Bingo to Shirley Bassey or whatever you ain't going to earn anymore than a husband & wife team running a little country pub where the icing on the cake is a selling few ploughmans lunches.

BTW. Someone mentioned Weatherspoons. Do you know what the dividends are. You invest £100,000 to get back £100 quid a week back. Not far off running a freehold pub yourself worth £500K. Bottom line £500 quid a week in your back pocket.

Read the OP!

This guy is not asking whether it will be successful, or if you think its a good idea, or if its profitable! All he is asking for is ideas for events to run.

So actually We do get it! We understand the OP and are suggesting events that would help, not make a fortune, but help him do what he can.

 

[oldeagleeye]

Jason. Don't be a complete plonker. Do you think the OP is asking for ideas that will lose him money. Get real.

Now while you are here I would qusetion your permission to raise funds on behalf of the MS society. Would you please be kind enough to post a letter from the society in the forum or PM me with same.

Thank you.

Rob

 

[Urban Publications]

I think Oldeagleeye's point is that the events in pubs is on its arse, you need to get people going to pubs again to make events successful.

And if he is advising from past experience then dont you think you should take note, or is the OP another one of the great forum dwellers who ask questions but read what they want to read and disregard the point that Events in Pubs is a dying breed it will take alot more than a question in a forum to get things in this industry rocking again.

Can I also have a reality check while I am here, OP has landed a job as "Events Manager" and the first day before the induction is asking for ideas for events, are you sharing the wages for us to do your work.

 

[callumclarke]

OLDEAGLEEYE maybe I should have put “manage events” rather than “events manager”, and spoof is a game we already play, very good game indeed. I maybe have to question a successful, wise, business man like yourself. The fact you have loads of time to bring up non-responsive points, the fact you have loads of time to find or create a picture on your point, leads me to think the fact is you are not that successful or wise, again that is my own view, and I am not saying everyone should have that view on you!

Jason Fisher your post is correct I am purely here to find any ideas, ideas that might not work somewhere, but ideas that may work here if implemented correctly, take for example the x-factor night we should of taken advantage of the Sunday nights and I could see why we would attract people.

To all the people that are posting rather negative approaches, let me just ask you this question? The pub will open, The pub will open regardless if there is 1 customer or 100, The pub will still turn on the electricity, the fruit machines, the pub will open, that’s for sure. Now from a couple of opinions here you sound like the trade has gone so every single pub in this country should close down, every single pub should not open its doors. If we followed your leadership, your views, your knowledge, then it would be a very sad day for English pubs.

 

[Jason_Fisher]

I understand that he maybe experienced etc, but the OP is asking for ideas, and i appreciate the experience in the industry etc being used is good advice, however, i don't appreciate the fact that the OP is asking for event ideas, people(including myself) are posting ideas, and then 'OldEagleEye' posts bold comments like don't you people get it, yes i do get it, its a dying industry etc, i am just posting ideas as the OP has asked for.

Also - If you are interested in donating, or contributing then i would be happy to email the letter on to you, however i don't think you are so i will not send you the letter just to prove to you that i am telling the truth about something! I cannot believe that here we are AGAIN in ANOTHER post with this question from you taking over?

 

[Urban Publications]

To all the people that are posting rather negative approaches, let me just ask you this question? The pub will open, The pub will open regardless if there is 1 customer or 100, The pub will still turn on the electricity, the fruit machines, the pub will open, that’s for sure. Now from a couple of opinions here you sound like the trade has gone so every single pub in this country should close down, every single pub should not open its doors. If we followed your leadership, your views, your knowledge, then it would be a very sad day for English pubs.

The very sad day for english pubs has been and gone, sorry you missed it, have you checked the stats of failing pubs over the past 10 years.

I had the impression the negatives were about EVENTS IN PUBS not pubs as a whole, so I was right an OP who wants to read what suits and not peoples past experiences.You cannot say people have poor business skills and then ASSUME what someones past record is just because of them posting a picture
The worst person in business is the person who assumes. Followed closely by the person who cannot accept neagtive feedback

I would personally turn off the fruit machines if you do only get the 1 customer.

 

[Web Design]

Hi,

Firstly I would choose one day a week during which the prices are much lower for students...this is a good promotion for your pub...
and maybe also create an italian night with a typical "italian happy hour"

 

[patientlady]

Hi Callum
I'm afraid that the negative comments on here are based on experience. Most events will have been tried in your pub at some time. Peoples ideas of going out have changed!

The Henry Swan is not far from you. Go and speak to Steve Haslam or Jo they will be happy to have a chat with you and give you some help. He has four very successful pubs and is happy to share his experiences

 

[Consistency]

Hi,

Firstly I would choose one day a week during which the prices are much lower for students...this is a good promotion for your pub...
and maybe also create an italian night with a typical "italian happy hour"

Why should students get any discounts at all? Not all students live on shops own value brand of pot noodles? I would not give them one. There are students who are very well off indeed. The same applies to OAPs.

 

[oldeagleeye]

You still don't get it Callum or do any of the other pundits who have never run a pub before. The problem with the sort events that are being offered up is not just about the lack of trade out there it is when you do manage to pull the punters in there is a direct correlation between takings and costs.

1 bar person on a Sunday lunchtime can quite easily deal with 15 - 20 regulars because they know what they drink and don't mind waiting a minute or two. On the other hand 40 rowdies all arriving at once demanding drinks doen's just require 2 bar staff but 3 and all woud have to work a damn lot harder and so it goes on and the costs escalate. To get more punters in means more promotion costs. Yet more bar staff. Then the cost of the entertainment and of course those expensive doormen.

Now although I hate the expression to make money you have to think outside the box. You have to tip the balance and do what seems impossible. To increase the takings while at the same time reduce to costs.

Impossible ?. No it's not. I already gave you one example. If punters want to carry on drinking after hours make them pay for the bar staff. Incidentally by collecting those fivers in a glass protects you somewhat in claiming it is a private party with no money going through the till.

Now there is a clue there to another nice little earner. Not a fortune but it does add up. Close the till down anyway. Don't pay the barmaid. She becomes another punter because the regulars will want her or him to stay.

That leaves you with no-one to serve unless the guv wants to do so. I didn't. I would cork a bottle of wine and up on a stool and invite a regular to play mine host and they loved it. Everyone loves playing mine host at the bar but that ain't a fraction of what it takes to run a pub.

Anyway so there we are. Gone 11.30 and Teds behind the bar and it's top bar only and everyone is buying everyone shorts. Easy enough on Ted because he ain't got to worry about a till and so the £20 notes keep going in that big jar. 2 hrs later there is £400-£500 in it. All at 400% profit and no expenses.

Now who is stupid. The guv that works his ballllls of serving a roundy 150 students and is lucky to come away with an extra £100 quid or the one that spends 2 hrs socialising with customers and earns £300-£400 to slip into his back pocket.

If you want to help this family of yours out then think business manager not events manager and despite the rude response on occassion I'll give you 2 more tips.

If you have at least 2 bars shut one off and turn it into a function room and do it now and start advertising wedding functions. 50 -60 sit down reception and you can earn £500 net in the afternnon. Then you get another £500-£1,000 up front for the free bar on the evening reception. Do it right and you can eran £1,000 net on a sat night.

You want more. Forget restaraunt as such. Any night can be Gourmet Nite and remember what I said about cutting out those expenses. Fine. Almost every man and their dog these days fancy themselves as a chef and again this vanity of playing mine host comes into play.

They not only have to come up with a recipe and cook it and serve it but they have to pull in all their friends too. The 'celebrety chef' gets a fiver pp while you pocket the other £20pp. Eventually the word gets round and everyone wants to be the best. Few more tickets sold in the bar and even with a small function room and it's another £1,000 net.

Now do you get it. Stop thinking pub. Start think business and alternative sources of revenue.

Rob

 

[SillyJokes]

Have you got decent coffee on offer too? I love a drop of coffee instead of an over sweetened fruit based drink when I'm driving.

 

[Jason_Fisher]

You still don't get it Callum or do any of the other pundits who have never run a pub before. The problem with the sort events that are being offered up is not just about the lack of trade out there it is when you do manage to pull the punters in there is a direct correlation between takings and costs.

1 bar person on a Sunday lunchtime can quite easily deal with 15 - 20 regulars because they know what they drink and don't mind waiting a minute or two. On the other hand 40 rowdies all arriving at once demanding drinks doen's just require 2 bar staff but 3 and all woud have to work a damn lot harder and so it goes on and the costs escalate. To get more punters in means more promotion costs. Yet more bar staff. Then the cost of the entertainment and of course those expensive doormen.

Now although I hate the expression to make money you have to think outside the box. You have to tip the balance and do what seems impossible. To increase the takings while at the same time reduce to costs.

Impossible ?. No it's not. I already gave you one example. If punters want to carry on drinking after hours make them pay for the bar staff. Incidentally by collecting those fivers in a glass protects you somewhat in claiming it is a private party with no money going through the till.

Now there is a clue there to another nice little earner. Not a fortune but it does add up. Close the till down anyway. Don't pay the barmaid. She becomes another punter because the regulars will want her or him to stay.

That leaves you with no-one to serve unless the guv wants to do so. I didn't. I would cork a bottle of wine and up on a stool and invite a regular to play mine host and they loved it. Everyone loves playing mine host at the bar but that ain't a fraction of what it takes to run a pub.

Anyway so there we are. Gone 11.30 and Teds behind the bar and it's top bar only and everyone is buying everyone shorts. Easy enough on Ted because he ain't got to worry about a till and so the £20 notes keep going in that big jar. 2 hrs later there is £400-£500 in it. All at 400% profit and no expenses.

Now who is stupid. The guv that works his ballllls of serving a roundy 150 students and is lucky to come away with an extra £100 quid or the one that spends 2 hrs socialising with customers and earns £300-£400 to slip into his back pocket.

If you want to help this family of yours out then think business manager not events manager and despite the rude response on occassion I'll give you 2 more tips.

If you have at least 2 bars shut one off and turn it into a function room and do it now and start advertising wedding functions. 50 -60 sit down reception and you can earn £500 net in the afternnon. Then you get another £500-£1,000 up front for the free bar on the evening reception. Do it right and you can eran £1,000 net on a sat night.

You want more. Forget restaraunt as such. Any night can be Gourmet Nite and remember what I said about cutting out those expenses. Fine. Almost every man and their dog these days fancy themselves as a chef and again this vanity of playing mine host comes into play.

They not only have to come up with a recipe and cook it and serve it but they have to pull in all their friends too. The 'celebrety chef' gets a fiver pp while you pocket the other £20pp. Eventually the word gets round and everyone wants to be the best. Few more tickets sold in the bar and even with a small function room and it's another £1,000 net.

Now do you get it. Stop thinking pub. Start think business and alternative sources of revenue.

Rob

Great advice!

 

[Consistency]

Why should students get any discounts at all? Not all students live on shops own value brand of pot noodles? I would not give them one. There are students who are very well off indeed. The same applies to OAPs.

When I did not know better many years ago, a friend I was with but did not see often was more sensible than I. We went into a pub and he asked "Do you serve coffee". I wanted the floor to swallow me up, I could not have been anymore embarrassed. I thought No No No, you can't go into a pub and ask for coffee and you have just made a right show of us. I cringed and I remember that feeling well. I was just disgusted, That is not what a pub is all about they serve cold drinks from a spouty think or from a fridge not faff about with sugar sachets and kettles etc.

Now I am older and I look back on that I am embarrassed that I was embarrassed. How sensible was he, and he was a nice man, a genuinely nice bloke. I now if I went into a pub, they are not places I frequent but if I did I think coffee is a good choice. It is warming and nice and probably much better for you than alcohol, especially if you don't really drink and certainly better if you are driving. Cold sugary drinks or even the diet ones are not always what we want and fruit juices are not either. I think coffee is good.

Saying all this it strongly depends on the pub. If it is very busy and there is no floor space left and the bar is impatient, there could be problems in that it takes longer to get a coffee, from what I have seen than it does a pint from the pump. This can cause rowdiness and therefore a security issue and when idiots start kicking off because now they have an excuse to and they have had a bit to drink, is it unthinkable that a drunk would not grab the coffee and throw it over someone which could cause scarring for life. This could then lead to the landlord being sued no doubt and the drunkard getting off as there is insufficient evidence and he could claim diminished responsibility.

Then security prices go up as the landlord has to pay for more staff and people may not come back and this is how something so simple can get out of hand. Going back to the managers thing, this is why it pays to learn the industry and work up. I dont know pubs but I know security and the slightest things can be a no no.

So in a nutshell I think coffee is good but it has to be weighed up properly.

 

[SillyJokes]

I just wanted a cup of coffee, not a disertation

I think you might be over analysing. Too much coffee?