How to Select Happy Hour Specials

Specials set the tone for your business's happy hour, so select food and drink that will keep customers talking and keep them coming back for more. Knowing what to serve in those in-between hours to whet appetites while wetting whistles is key. Choose or downsize items from your larger menu, or create bar food or small plates to fit your theme. Make specials "special" with great pricing.

Things You'll Need

• Knowledge of local alcohol regulations
• Knowledge of your kitchen and bar capabilities

Instructions

1. Be outstanding in the crowd by knowing the competition. Read happy hour reviews, or get out there and see what other establishments are offering. Look at which activities draw the best crowds. They might include dancing, karaoke, sports or just conversation. Note food and drink prices and try to meet or beat them.

2. Be outstanding in your own bar and kitchen. Serve special dishes or drinks that are available only during happy hour, such as a buffet of your most popular hot appetizers or a build-your-own-taco bar. Maintain high quality so that people will tell their friends about the menu, which is always the biggest happy hour draw.

3. Pick a theme to pump up advertising and build your menu and activities around. Have a Monday night football club, go Latin with a Friday night sangria fiesta or hand out leis at a Sunday afternoon luau.

4. Select drink specials among easy-to-serve, high-volume choices: pitchers of margaritas versus complicated mixed drinks, and tap wine or beer versus bottled. Make prices low enough so customers notice the difference and you at least break even.

5. Select food specials that match your beverage list. Pizza, tacos and buffalo chicken wings are fine for beer-heavy menus. Selections from your restaurant fare or catered cheese and dip boards would suit wine, micro brews and mixed drinks well. Make menu selection a priority, because customers will notice when food is an afterthought.

Tips & Warnings

• Investigate the competition. Find additional happy hour notices in your local newspaper or arts and culture publication.

• Choose foods your kitchen can assemble easily or keep warm or cold for the duration of your happy hour gathering.

• Don't go overboard and go broke on happy hour; do some cost accounting to see if the business increase offsets your food and drink shortfalls.

• Some states limit certain alcohol sales, such as the number of shots per drink. Check your state regulations.