A-dress your January blues
Cheer up!
That’s the leisure of leisure industry experts who say that bar managers have to offer customers a sanctuary from the trials and tribulations of their daily lives.
They say that happy music, colorful theme evenings and a regular supply of special offerings are all elements which will appeal to people fed up with the economic climate and a bleak outlook.
“It’s not rocket science,” says a recent report on hospitality. “People don’t want to be confronted by misery when they go out. People working in bars or driving taxis can benefit for offering customers reasons to be cheerful.”
The report suggests that there could be a trend to themed evenings and fancy dress parties in the future as people seek value for money but fun ways to enjoy themselves.
Michelin-starred restaurant St Johns is leading the way in innovative role playing. It is collaborating with Secret Cinema, which stages parties recreating the world of classic films in unusual places – to offer Secret Restaurant.
Guests booking a table over the coming six weeks will be sent a newsletter telling them where and when to meet, what to wear and what to bring. The guests’ evening will be held in a series of unusual locations and will consist of an interactive experience involving actors.
The experience will vary but is centered around a classic film. Guests are asked to tell no-one of the experience but reports suggest that the interactive nature of the evening creates a unique social event where people are encouraged to mix and talk to each other.
Future plans may include creating evenings based on books or works of art. It’s all about offering customers something different and truly memorable.
“But a bar or pub doesn’t need to get too elaborate,” said an industry expert. “A simple fancy dress night based around something such as The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland would do just as well. Themed evenings could be big business.”
