It doesn’t matter if your establishment doesn’t typically cater to the Saint Patrick’s day crowd, there’s always a way you can get in on the action while staying true to your cuisine and your clientele.

Don't wait until the last minute to organize promotions. St. Patrick's Day offers a significant opportunity to boost your business, especially considering that Americans planned to spend a record $5.14 billion on the celebration, according to the National Retail Federation. Take advantage of this festive occasion with the following tips:

1. Market St. Patrick’s Day as an Exclusive Event: Position St. Patrick’s Day as a special event at your establishment rather than just offering holiday specials. This approach adds an exclusive touch and emphasizes that your venue is the go-to place for a unique celebration. Spread the word about your event for maximum impact.

2. Boost Engagement through Your Social Media Channels: Take advantage of the lively and vibrant spirit of St. Patrick’s Day by launching an engaging campaign on platforms like Instagram or Facebook. Infuse playfulness into your posts, using vibrant visuals and catchy captions to illustrate the exciting experiences customers can have at your restaurant or when opting for a takeout package.

Enhance the convenience for your audience by incorporating a ‘Book a Table’ or ‘Order Food’ button on your social media profiles. This seamless integration enables you to maximize traffic and engagement on your social media platforms. Drive this traffic directly to your booking widget or online ordering page, allowing you to monitor and measure the success of your campaign while avoiding additional commissions and fees.

3. Execute a Targeted Email Campaign to Boost Reservations & Online Orders: Leverage the wealth of customer data at your disposal by strategically segmenting your audience for a highly targeted email marketing strategy. Enhance both your open and conversion rates by directing your St. Paddy’s Day promotion emails exclusively to individuals with the highest likelihood of interest. This may include patrons with a penchant for beverages, loyal customers who regularly attend similar events, frequent online order enthusiasts, or those esteemed as your top reviewers.

4. Offer Limited-Time Irish-Themed Menu Items: Appeal to the 50% of people planning to buy food and 41% planning to buy beverages on St. Patrick’s Day by creating limited-time menu offers with Irish flavors. Craft variations of Irish-themed food and drinks, incorporating St. Patrick's Day ingredients like corned beef, shepherd’s pie, and Guinness-infused items. This not only attracts customers looking for a taste of St. Patrick’s Day but also generates excitement with exclusive menu items.

5. Host a "Lucky" Giveaway to Generate Leads: Take advantage of the St. Patrick’s Day theme by hosting a "lucky winner" contest or giveaway. Utilize email and/or text marketing to set up the giveaway, encouraging customers to text to enter. This not only ties your bar to the theme of the day but also allows you to collect leads for future engagement and remarketing campaigns. Promote the campaign, partner with local businesses for wider reach, and follow up with participants post-St. Patrick's Day.

6. Utilize Location-Based Marketing: Leverage location-based marketing to target local customers. Use geotargeting in paid social media ads before St. Patrick’s Day to reach customers in proximity to your business. On the day itself, employ geofencing advertising to target those near your establishment or in popular St. Paddy’s Day areas. Present enticing coupons or deals to drive foot traffic. For multi-location brands, promote your St. Patrick’s Day event on your website's location pages for easy access to information by local customers.

Even if your restaurant or bar has no specific connection to the Emerald Isle, St. Patrick’s Day is a giant opportunity to attract new customers and improve loyalty.