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There has been a growing trend across the food and beverage industry to explore adult beverage solutions for restaurants, bars, and other foodservice establishments. Adult beverage solutions go beyond the traditional beer and wine selection, and offer a wide array of craft, creative, and specialty drink options for customers to enjoy. With more and more restaurants and other foodservice locations adding an adult beverage program, it’s important for foodservice owners and managers to understand the different factors to consider when offering these drinks.
Finding and choosing the right ingredients, glasses, and barware, as well as making sure the program is in compliance with local liquor laws, is just the beginning of this process. Additionally, proper staff training and marketing the beverage program are essential components for successful adult beverage service. With these considerations in mind, here are the top 10 things to consider when implementing an adult beverage program:
1. Learning the Fundamentals of Alcoholic Beverage Service:
Employees should have ample training in proper alcohol service and protocols. This includes knowledge of pouring drinks, alcohol content of different cocktails, strategies to prevent over-service, and laws and regulations regarding one’s specific area.
2. Choosing Liquors and Ingredients:
Choosing high quality liquors and ingredients is not only important for maintaining customer satisfaction, but it also helps give a bar program character and can create a unique identity.
3. Purchasing the Right Glassware:
Not only should restaurant owners choose glasses and barware that is appropriate for the drinks they serve, but it is also important to select glassware that highlights the drinks’ color and is easy for customers and staff to use.
4. Designing the Menu:
A bar program must be designed to visualize and accommodate all different kinds of drinks and cocktails. It is also important to consider how drinks affect others, such as an alcoholic beverage’s impact on non-alcoholic beverages or food.
5. Creating Pricing Strategies:
Creating a pricing strategy for adult beverages is important for the success of the program. This involves setting a price that customer will be willing to pay, and that also reflects the cost of materials and production.
6. Understanding Alcoholic Beverage Distributors Laws:
There are a variety of different laws when it comes to serving alcohol in different states and regions. Educating employees on these laws is necessary, and proper licensing should also be acquired before starting the bar program.
7. Assessing Staff Training:
The effectiveness of a bar program depends on the knowledge of its staff. Proper training should be given to all employees and managers in order to ensure that all drinks are served correctly and according to local and state laws.
8. Implementing Food and Non-Alcoholic Drink Menus:
A successful bar program should also offer a variety of food and non-alcoholic drinks for patrons to enjoy. It is important to ensure that the menu complements the adult beverage selections by offering a variety of different options.
9. Marketing the Program:
Marketing the bar program is essential for its success. Social media, special offers, and discounts are a few of the popular ways to promote a bar program.
10. Evaluating Performance:
The only way to know if an adult beverage program is successful is to evaluate its performance. Tracking performance will help businesses determine which drinks and cocktails are popular, and allows them to make changes to improve the program.
In order to create a successful adult beverage program, understanding each of these components is necessary. By recognizing and analyzing each of these elements, restaurant owners and managers have the best chance of successfully implementing these services.
