Celebration Days - INAPUB WINTER MAGAZINE 2023 ISSUE 105

CELEBRATION DAYS FOR 2024

There’s a ‘national day’ for just about anything, so given the pressure licensees are under to make every under-utilised hour of their week profitable, here are some ideas for lesser-know celebrations in 2024 that might just be the hook you need to keep your tills ringing… *DISCLAIMER: We may have stolen some of these from the Americans.

January

National Hat Day is on January 15th and it’s not only a social media dream but brings no end of possibilities. A hat parade/competition? An origami make-your-own-hat session? A “name that hat style” quiz? Staff dressed in a variety of hats bringing free hat-themed snacks to customers – pork pie anyone?

February

On February 22nd we have National Margarita Day – say no more! Match your Margarita Menu (you’ll need a few variations) with some tasty Mexican sharing platters. Better still, get the whole thing sponsored by a tequila brand and maximise profit.

March

March 14th is National Crisp Day (OK, in truth it’s “National Potato Chip Day” but as we all know they’re called crisps and that’s an end to it). Unveil a Crisp Selection Menu, buy in every variety you can think of and pair them with beers or wines from your list. Or just give customers a free basket of crisps with each round – all that salt will have them back at the bar in no time.

April

April 8th is National Draw a Bird Day. Get the whole family involved and create a huge mural for your wall. If you’re feeling generous team up with a local wildlife charity and ask for donations for each bird added to your wall.

May

Lost Sock Memorial Day falls on May 9th this year. Host an odd-sock party, offer 10p off a pint to anyone wearing odd socks or get all your regulars to clear out their odd socks and send them to a clothing charity for recycling.

June

What excuse do we need really, but June 21st is National Selfie Day. Set up a suitable hashtag and get your social media humming with a competition to find the best selfie taken by a pub customer. Launch it with a Oscars-style selfie of your entire team.

July

World Ice Cream Day is on July 16th

Team up with Mr Whippy or set up a proper Italian-style ice cream counter. Add a separate ice cream menu, go to town with “diner-style” sundaes or ask your kitchen to come up with some weird and wacky flavours. N-ice!

August

On August the 9th we find National Book Lovers Day, a great day to launch a Book Club or start a Pub Book Library. You could also install a Book Nook in a quieter spot for anyone wanting to come in and relax with a book while they sip their pint.

September

September 12th is Video Games Day, and what better reason to put your big screens to use on a quiet Tuesday evening. Wire up the Playstation, plug in the X-Box and get customers involved? Or go retro and hire in some PacMan tables or old Space Invader machines.

October

October 1st is International Coffee Day, so get your team that barista training you’ve been meaning to organise and fire up your coffee machine. Why not host a charity coffee and cake morning, introduce a new coffee menu or launch a “coffee and a pastry” takeaway breakfast deal for people on their way to work?

November

It’s World Toilet Day on November 19th –the perfect excuse to spend some time sprucing up your facilities. Mend those door locks, re-paint the walls, replace old flooring and add some little touches like free toiletries or a new hand-dryer.

December

And finally, you hopefully won’t need much help pulling in the punters in December, but don’t forget December 8th is Christmas Jumper Day. A great way for staff to highlight your festive offer.