The short version
- People check a bar's page to answer one question: what's happening tonight and is it worth going out?
- Post the same weekly events on the same days. Trivia night works because people can count on it.
- Face-first posts of your bartenders and regulars beat a stock photo of a cocktail every time.
- Post for adults, mention IDs where it fits, and never push people to drink more.
It's 5pm on a Thursday. A group of friends is texting about where to go. Someone pulls up Facebook, checks your page and finds a post from last month. They go to the place down the street.
These bar social media post ideas are built around the questions people ask before they head out: what's on, who's behind the bar and is it fun. Replace the [brackets] and post them as they are. Restaurants and breweries share a lot of this, so our brewery post ideas and restaurant post ideas are good second reads.
What bar posts need to do
- Say what's on tonight or this week, with the day and the start time.
- Show the room: a full bar, the patio, the stage, the dartboard.
- Put a name and a face on the people behind the bar.
- Make it easy to plan: hours, address, parking, whether kitchens are open.
- Keep it adult, friendly and clear that you check IDs.
A page needs a rhythm more than it needs perfect photos. A weekly Facebook posting schedule shows how to set one up.
Weekly event and live music post ideas
Trivia reminder
Trivia is back tonight at [time]. Teams of up to [number]. First round of questions starts at 7. Bring a friend who knows sports and one who knows movies.
Photo: The trivia sheet and pencils on a table.
Band announcement
This Friday: [band name] plays at [time]. No cover. Come early if you want a table by the stage. Kitchen is open until [time].
Photo: The stage with the amps set up.
Game night
Football Sunday at [bar name]. Every screen will be on the game at [time]. Wings are $[price]. Get here early to grab a booth.
Photo: Screens lit up above the bar.
Karaoke call
Karaoke starts at [time] on Thursday. Songbooks are on the bar. Yes, you can sign up for the one you've been practicing in your truck.
Photo: The karaoke mic with the lights on.
Open mic
Open mic night, every [day]. Musicians, comedians and poets welcome. Sign up at the bar by [time]. We'll bring the sound check.
Photo: A mic stand under a spotlight.
Post event reminders the day before and again that morning. One post gets seen by a few of your followers, and the second catches others. Why nobody sees some posts explains why a repeat is okay.
Bartender, regular and private party post ideas
Regulars come back for the people as much as the drinks. Show them, with permission from anyone who's in the shot.
Meet the bartender
Meet [name], on the bar Thursday through Sunday. [He/She] has been pouring in [town] for [number] years and makes the best [drink] in the county. Tell [name] we sent you.
Photo: The bartender behind the bar, smiling at the camera.
Regular of the month
Shout-out to [first name], who has been grabbing a stool at the end of the bar every Friday since [year]. Thank you, [first name]. Your next drink is on us.
Photo: The empty stool, or the person if they say yes.
Private parties
Need a place for a retirement party or a birthday? We can hold the back room for [number] people. Message us your date and we'll talk food and drinks.
Photo: The back room set up with tables.
Staff pick
Ask [name] what to drink tonight. The answer will be [drink], and it's a good answer.
Photo: A staff member holding the bottle.
Slow night and slow season post ideas
Tuesday has a reason
Tuesdays at [bar name]: $[price] tacos, a quiet room and a dartboard with nobody waiting. Come for one, stay for two.
Photo: An empty dartboard with a few darts on the ledge.
Industry night
Work in a kitchen, a shop or a hospital? Monday nights are yours. Show a work badge and get $[price] off your first drink.
Photo: A chalkboard sign with the offer.
Cold-weather menu
It's [temperature] out. We have a hot toddy, a fire in the corner and soup on the menu until [time]. Come in and warm up.
Photo: The fireplace with a drink on the mantel.
Quiet stretches happen to everyone. Slow season marketing ideas has more ways to give people a reason to come in.
A simple week of bar posts
4 posts a week
- MonThis week's lineupEvents and specials for the next 7 days.
- WedA face or a drinkA bartender, a regular or a drink of the week.
- ThuWeekend previewBand, game or kitchen hours.
- SunThank-youA photo of the room and a thank you to the crowd.
Do
- Post the day and start time for every event.
- Ask regulars before you show their faces.
- Mention IDs and rides home where it fits.
- Reply to comments the same day.
Don't
- Push people to drink more or drink fast.
- Post photos of people who are visibly drunk.
- Run specials that break your local rules.
- Leave last month's band on the page.
