DESIGN FEATURE
E U Q I T S Y M E N THE FEMINI
LE-FRIENDLY A M FE N R E V TA R U O Y G MAKIN ult population. lcoming for half the ad it is unwe rn to be successful if It is difficult for a tave e to women? iv ct e attra or m rn ve ta ur yo e ak But how to m
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huge concern for women when going out is the issue of safety. It is an unfortunate reality that women live unsafe lives in South Africa, and as such tend to be exceptionally careful about where we go in the evenings.
feel uncomfortable and vulnerable. Remember – a woman who feels safe and secure will relax, stay longer and spend more, so make sure the environment ensures her safety as far as possible.
• Of course, women love to unwind, and • Consider how safe your tavern might like a variety of drinks and snacks. be for women. Is the parking well-lit Beers alone won’t do, but it won’t and close to the door? Is there security cost a fortune to broaden the menu. inside and outside the premises? If Consider adding some fruit-flavoured your tavern has dingy, unsafe parking beers, ciders and fruit-based alcodown side streets and out of sight, it is pops, and a few house wines as well. an automatic no-no for female patrons. There are wine representatives that It is also important that women feel will gladly advise you on a range of safe once inside. Are there bouncers wines to keep, bearing popularity and to control unruly, drunken patrons price range in mind. that might make your female guests feel unsafe? Are the bathrooms • If you do offer snacks, adding light well-lit and close to the bar? Having low-carb options will be a big hit. With them down long corridors or outside a huge variety of low-carb cookbooks now available, have a look for a few in dark gardens can make women 34
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easy-to-make options and add them to your snack menu. Of course, where one might choose something lowcarb, another might choose something sweet, which means that adding a few sweet options to your snack could add to your revenue stream. • Widening your entertainment options is always a great way to attract new customers. Invite local musicians to play, and have experience evenings, with whiskey, wine or cognac tastings. Many of the alcohol companies have reps that will assist in organising such evenings, as long as they are clearly branded. Ultimately, women guests aren’t that different from male guests: we just want to unwind and have a good time, with ice-cold drinks, good vibes and happy friends.
