What can I do to increase the number of people coming to my pub, the length of time they stay, and the amount they spend while they’re here? It’s a question on most pub operators’ or licensees’ minds.
With 37% of British adults visiting pubs once a fortnight, and 9% reflecting that they visit a pub once a week according to a recent Statista survey*, how can you make sure your pub is on the shortlist when people are considering what to do, where to go, and how to spend their money?
There are a lot of creative ways to get more people through your door. Let’s take a look at entertainment. It’s one of the things that successful operators do to create a more attractive pub experience at different times during the week.
The business case for entertainment.
Creating more reasons to visit, beyond great drinks, delicious food, and a quality service will no doubt boost your bottom line. Particularly if you have quieter days or evenings that could do with more footfall.
More customers than ever are looking for experiences when deciding if and where to go out (KAM Competitive Socialising Report 2025). Hosting entertainment and pub games can serve to both satisfy demands of the customer and create a livelier atmosphere at the pub. The KAM Report states that all of these activities contribute to your customers having an improved mood, enjoyment AND reducing stress. All of which will help strengthen your pub’s position and profile within the community.
We caught up with Neil from The Boat & Horses in Beeston Rylands near Nottingham. Neil and his team see the pub very much as a ‘community hub’ and the entertainment and community support network was very much part of his sustainable business plan. In addition to running a darts club, yoga classes and poker nights, they also provide support for local Veterans. According to Neil, “being the licensee of the pub puts you at the heart of that community.”
Tailor the experience.
With entertainment, you’re tapping into people’s passions. Whether it’s sport, music, board games or comedy, or more, providing entertainment for people and creating a space for people to meet other people who share their passions, is extremely valuable.
Of course, every pub is different. But if you want to explore how you can introduce more entertainment, start by doing your research. Evaluate your customers, the community around you, and the types of entertainment offered by pubs and bars in the area. Take a look on the internet, out in the community and on social media to see what’s popular in your area.
We believe in supporting publicans from all walks of life to create venues as unique as the people who run them. The Boat & Horses on Trent Road exemplifies this ethos. Two of its founders, Neil and Martin, are veterans, and their experiences have shaped the pub’s identity.
They wanted their regulars to have a place to stay and be comfortable and look after their own passions. Having been a customer at the pub before taking on the tenancy, Neil recognised that people were looking for the pub to become a pillar of the community. They were looking for things to do when they choose to stay out or specifically go out for after working from home – and so followed the darts club and poker nights. According to the KAM Competitive Socialising report, 76% of people socialising in this way feel closer to their friends. At The Boat & Horses, the venue also benefits from a big function room, which means they can even facilitate weekly yoga classes without it dominating the pub experience.
If music is more your thing, check out the UK Open Mic community, listing the pub on UK Open Mic night website, Eventbrite and social media channels to increase visibility and promotion. Working with an established community means the evenings are organised according to the set format. No surprises or additional organisation! There are a few different communities out there, so just gauge what’s the most popular in your area.
Get creative with the entertainment.
There are so many options when it comes to entertainment. From weekly events to tapping into community, local or national events, there’s something for every operator to consider. Here are just a few that are successful with some of our current operators:
- Open Mic sessions
- Pub Quizzes
- Sporting events
- Comedy nights
- Sip and Paint sessions
- Singles’ nights
- Bingo nights
- Board Games tournaments
Arcades, bingo, pool, darts and board games all make the top 10 pub activities in the KAM 2025 report.
Make the most of the opportunity.
If you’ve put effort into organising entertainment, don’t fall at the final hurdle. Clear communication and promotion of the entertainment and key events is critical. Once you’ve got your plan in place, here are a few tips to help make it a success:
- Promote the entertainment within the bar.
- Communicate with your team and make sure they’re promoting the entertainment throughout the week.
- Use social media to market the entertainment and key events. And boost any promotions with a little budget to target people in your local area.
- Leverage established communities like UK Open Mic.
- Wrap around food and drinks offers to the entertainment.
So, what now?
To consider investing or hosting entertainment in your pub, the best thing to do is discuss it with your BDM, your staff, and your regulars. They’ll give you great insight and can act as a sounding board for any ideas. Because the success of any pub entertainment really depends on your pub, the location, and the community around you.
* https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101707/how-often-brits-eat-and-drink-in-pubs/
* https://kaminsight.com/knowledge-hub/
