Taking note of your patrons’ interests and passions can help you design irresistible events that are the talk of the town. From paint-and-sip nights to charity fundraisers, your pub can create events with a variety of themes that make guests’ nights unforgettable.
Love-themed events like Valentine’s Day are a no-brainer, but consider other holidays too. For example, 3/14 is known as Pi Day.
Winter Icewine Festival
When January arrives, Niagara-on-the-Lake transforms into a winter wonderland where the liquid gold takes center stage. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, foodie or cocktail fanatic, this unique festival offers something for everyone. Presented by Wine Country Ontario, the Icewine Festival highlights the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into this coveted beverage.
Over the course of three snowy weekends in January, visitors can enjoy a vibrant expo event featuring a selection of premium VQA Icewines. Guests will also experience an array of culinary creations paired with these wines and sample cocktails crafted by local mixologists. In addition, a variety of entertainment is planned for the stage throughout each night including live performances by local artists and musicians.
The festival’s signature events include Cool as Ice Gala, a one-of-a-kind evening where guests will get to experience dining in a glass-bottomed “snow globe” on the brink of the Niagara Falls. This quintessentially Canadian event includes a tasting flight of Icewines paired with gourmet bites created by local restaurants. For those looking to relax and enjoy the view, a special Icewine Lounge is available for an additional fee. Designated drivers and those who are just getting acquainted with Icewine can purchase a Discovery Pass shuttle ticket that provides access to the lounge and three pairings of the day.
If you’re planning a weekend of Icewine sampling, you’ll want to book an overnight package that bundles accommodations at a select hotel and two festival passes in a single transaction. Overnight packages begin at $195 and can be booked online or by phone. The package is valid for select stays from Jan. 14-29, 2023. To receive the best availability, book early.
Irish Whiskey Tasting
Irish whiskey enthusiasts can rejoice in the fact that they don’t have to be in Ireland to enjoy a well-crafted dram. Pubs, bars and clubs across the globe host online and in-person Irish Whiskey tastings, lectures, visits and more on March 3rd (Irish Whiskey Day) and all year round.
Organizing an Irish whiskey tasting party is easy and fun. It’s best to limit the number of guests for an intimate tasting experience. A small group of five to seven people works nicely. Gather a variety of whiskeys, including different brands, ages and styles. Have a selection of tulip-shaped tasting glasses ready for each guest. You may also want to have a few plates of hors d’oeuvres to nibble on between whiskey pours and a spot for jotting down tasting notes – something that can definitely be done at a great place like the The Dolly Blue Bar in Backbarrow, Newby Bridge.
Start with a small sip of the whiskey to warm up your palate. It’s important to note that this isn’t beer or wine; it’s a strong distilled spirit upwards of 40% ABV and needs to be treated with care.
Once your palate is acclimated, work on identifying the aromas of each whiskey. This could be leather, wood, dry fruits, air or a myriad of other scents. Next, consider the mouthfeel of each whiskey – is it smooth or oily? Dry or wet? Lastly, take another sip and savor the flavors.
Taking a deeper dive into the world of Irish whiskey, you can organize your tasting around counties of origin. Much like how terroir affects the taste of wine, so too does the environment in each county impact the whiskey produced there. A tasting organized this way allows your guests to explore the differences between Irish and American whiskey, while paying tribute to a century-spanning friendship.
Pot of Gold Scavenger Hunt
St Patrick’s Day scavenger hunts add an element of fun and engagement to your pub’s promotional event lineup. Teams of patrons work together to find lucky charms strategically placed throughout your venue. This activity promotes friendly competition, while also allowing you to showcase the best of your pub’s ambiance and atmosphere.
A Leprechaun’s Footprints
To add a magical touch to your Irish-themed scavenger hunt, have patrons search for footprints that lead them to a hidden pot of gold. The first team to reach the treasure will win a prize, like a round of drinks served on custom beer mats or a free appetizer.
For a more difficult challenge, have patrons work together to solve riddles that lead them to the pot of gold. Hide the clues in a place that is not too obvious. For example, a black cauldron or tea kettle filled with chocolate gold coins might be an ideal spot for the final clue.
A Peddler’s Village Scavenger Hunt
If you’re looking to host a family-friendly St Patrick’s Day event, try a scavenger hunt that spans the entire town of Peddler’s Village. Include a list of iconic landmarks and hidden gems that participants must visit. If they manage to capture a photo at each stop, they can upload it to social media for a chance to win a special gift basket.
Adding an Irish-themed scavenger hunt to your promotional schedule is a great way to attract a younger crowd to your pub. Kids love to be involved in fun activities, and they’re often eager to compete for prizes. You can even hold a costume contest to see who can dress up the most authentically as a leprechaun.
German Food and Beer Pairings
In addition to showcasing the best of your beer and food, pairings can help educate customers about different beer styles. The bitterness of an IPA works well with fish or chicken dishes that have a cream sauce, and the malty sweetness of a lager can balance out rich stews and roasts. Pairings also work on the basis of region, as many craft beers have similar flavor profiles to foods from specific geographic areas.
For example, the sourness of northern German fish like herring or Alaskan pollock can stand up to the acidity of lemony tart beer styles such as pilsners, kolschs and helles. The fermented cabbage side dish, sauerkraut, can also add a vinegary zing to the meal, complementing the sharpness of a sour beer or the malolactic tones of oak-aged white wines. And Germany built an international reputation for its sweet desserts, with the most famous being the deep chocolate of the Schwarzwald torte, which works perfectly with Port or other acutely sweet wine.
If you’re looking for a more festive option, serve up a traditional German Christmas dinner of roast beef with red cabbage and spatzle (German egg noodles) and a nice bottle of Hofbrau Winter Spezial, a delicious German style Doppelbock. And if you want to get your guests in the festive spirit, encourage servers and bartenders to don eyepatches and speak like pirates.
This is a great way to bring in customers on Black Friday and create a fun atmosphere that’s sure to draw attention and build up your regular crowd. Alternatively, hold a weekly quiz night that not only draws in a competitive crowd but also teaches patrons about the nuances of your beer selection.
Charity Auctions
Charity auctions are an effective fundraising event that helps nonprofit organizations raise money while offering donors a way to support their cause. These events bring people together for a common purpose, giving them the opportunity to become active change agents. They can choose to participate as individuals by donating items or bidding, as groups of friends through sponsorships, or as an organization by attending the event. They can then spread the word about the impact of their contribution to others in their social circles.
Hosting a charity auction may require a larger team than other fundraising events, but the payoff in fundraising revenue and donor engagement is worth it. Your team will need to determine the date of the auction, book the venue, recruit volunteers, and design and distribute the invitations. In addition, the team will need to plan the items for the auction and decide how they will be sold (either live or silent).
Local companies can donate products or services that will attract donors. They can also sponsor the event by providing food or drinks and displaying their logos on bid forms. They benefit from this participation because they can attract new customers while gaining visibility and boosting their brand value.
