Summer is a critical period for the hospitality industry. The sunshine brings out more revellers wishing to spend money on great food and drink, and tourists (both domestic and international) will explore what some of the most popular UK cities have to offer.
These visitors are potentially lucrative for your restaurant, with TheFork’s data showing that 24% of bookings in July and August last year came from tourists rather than local diners.
We’ve already shared some tips for getting more diners through the door as part of our British Summer Tourism series. In this guide, you’ll find ideas for extra-special experiences you can offer customers to make your restaurant a thriving summer hotspot, no matter what kind of establishment you run.
Chef’s tables
To give your customers the ultimate intimate dining experience, consider hosting a chef’s table for curious foodies and tourists alike.
These events are perfect for tighter spaces where you can offer a small number of covers close to the kitchen, whether that’s counter seating or a private dining room.
As well as offering customers the unique chance to get up-close-and-personal with your chef, it’s also a great opportunity to craft a one-off menu to add to the exclusivity of the experience.
For summer, prioritise seasonal produce and fresh flavours to give tourists a taste of what your restaurant has to offer.
Live music
To create a truly unmissable atmosphere in your restaurant this summer, offering a night of brilliant live music is always a good idea.
Whether you’ve got an outdoor terrace where you can host a day party soundtracked by a live DJ, or you’ve got a luxurious indoor space that lends itself perfectly to some silky smooth jazz, consider what kind of music would make the most sense with your restaurant’s ambience and cuisine.
Or, if you don’t want to invite a professional in to provide the music…
Try TheFork Manager today
Karaoke
…get the diners to create it themselves with a karaoke night! With the rising popularity of karaoke bars in the UK, especially in London, hosting a karaoke night at your restaurant is a great way to tap into this trend while filling your tables.
This is an ideal way to attract fun-loving groups of tourists looking for a different way to spend an evening visiting your neighbourhood.
Partnering with tour operators
Many travellers look to maximise their time visiting a new area by booking themselves onto tours that allow them to soak up the sights and enjoy special experiences, such as eating local cuisine.
For restaurants, these tours can be very worthwhile: tour groups usually have a short, allotted time slot for dining, which means you can make space for more guests shortly after, and they’re likely to spend more than other diners.
Reach out to local tour operators in your area to find out what kind of collaborations could work for you. Just make sure it feels authentic to your brand.
No matter what kind of experiences you’re looking to host this summer, TheFork Manager makes it simple to organise and run special events. From the menu and seating capacity to the specific area of the restaurant you’d like to use, you can manage everything directly in TheFork Manager’s straightforward platform.
To find out more about maximising your capacity and revenue this summer, get in touch with our team today.
Empty tables and ever-increasing costs?
