Marketing

38 Restaurant Event Ideas to Drive Revenue

July 19, 2023

Hosting events is a great way to engage your community, create memorable experiences, and boost sales.

In the competitive world of restaurants, finding creative ways to drive revenue is essential. While delicious food and outstanding service are the foundation of success, hosting events can take your establishment to the next level. Restaurant events not only boost sales but also enhance guest experiences and customer loyalty. Read on for a list of creative, profitable restaurant event ideas.

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The Benefits of Restaurant Events

Increase guest loyalty.

By offering exclusive experiences and special events, you create a sense of appreciation and value for your customers. When patrons feel a strong connection to your restaurant through memorable events, they are more likely to become repeat customers and even become ambassadors, spreading positive word-of-mouth buzz about their experiences.

Drive more foot traffic.

Promoting events through channels like social media and email marketing can pique the interest of potential diners who may not have considered visiting your restaurant otherwise. This increased foot traffic not only benefits the event itself but also boosts business on other days as new customers may return for regular dining experiences.

Generate bigger check averages.

Special menus, tasting flights, and prix fixe options with add-ons typically lead to larger check averages as guests are enticed to explore unique dining experiences. By presenting creative options during events, you can encourage guests to try new items, leading to increased sales and revenue.

Build content for your online presence.

Capturing the excitement and ambiance of the events through photography, videography, and customer testimonials highlights your restaurant's offerings and attracts a wider audience. This content can also be repurposed for future social media and website promotions, creating a library of engaging and shareable material that highlights your restaurant's brand and events.

Create community & memorable experiences.

Restaurant events bring people together, fostering a sense of belonging. Whether it's a themed dinner, live music night, or cooking class, these events provide an opportunity for guests to interact, socialize, and connect with each other in a fun and engaging environment.

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Ticketed & Restaurant-Hosted Event Ideas

Ticketed events are hosted by a restaurant and produced in-house or in partnership with a collaborator. Here, we’ll cover twenty eight different types to consider.

Cooking Classes

Cooking classes offer a hands-on experience that deepens your relationship with some of your most avid fans. Two common approaches here are to dive into a specific area of your cooking, or to focus on one particular dish — as seen below. Tuscan Kitchen in Salem, NH regularly hosts classes covering topics like ravioli techniques, how to make the perfect meatball, and the secrets of a hearty sausage ragù sauce.

Guest Chefs

Invite local culinary talents to take over your kitchen for a night. This not only brings fresh flavors to your establishment but also attracts a new audience eager to try the creations. By hosting guest chefs, you provide your regular customers with an exciting change of pace while showcasing the culinary diversity of your community. Menya Ramen House in Metuchen, NJ uses Facebook events to promote their guest chef collaborations.

Trivia Night

Tap into the competitive spirit of your guests with themed quizzes. Trivia nights are lively events that keep guests entertained and encourage them to return for more rounds, resulting in repeat customers.

Decade themed trivia (think ‘70s, ‘80s, and 90s specific questions) and franchise trivia (like Harry Potter and Game of Thrones) are popular. Geeks Who Drink is a go-to trivia company for many restaurants and has a presence in 46 states. Sienna Mercato in Pittsburgh, PA partners with local company Trivia Jockeys for smart phone trivia every Thursday where guests play from an app. In terms of prizes, consider offering restaurant gift cards or free food and drinks for the winning teams.

Bingo Night

Engage your guests in an evening of excitement and friendly competition by hosting bingo night. Gather bingo enthusiasts for an experience filled with laughter, anticipation, and the chance to win fantastic prizes. Burgerology in New York City offers diners a bingo card with every drink purchase, or guests can purchase a card for $5. The restaurant offers prizes like water game sets and coolers for every round as well as a monthly grand prize for repeat customers.

Karaoke

Unleash the inner superstar in your diners. Especially for restaurants that have a fun, laid-back atmosphere and maybe even a live performance stage, karaoke is a proven draw. We recommend outsourcing this to a local karaoke production company: they'll bring the sound equipment, a host, and most importantly, a library of sweet, sweet license-free music. Rivercrest in Astoria, NY pairs their karaoke night with their late night happy hour menu from 10pm to 2am for a little liquid courage.

Pop-Ups

Collaborate with other restaurants, entrepreneurs, and food trucks to organize pop-up events. This allows you to showcase different cuisines, expand your reach, and attract a diverse audience eager to try something new. Pop-ups are popular year round, but they do particularly well around the holidays. At Oklahoma City’s Library of Distilled Spirits, a festive cocktail menu and lots of decor completes the experience.

Jazz Brunch

Differentiate your weekend brunch offerings with jazz music and design a relaxed and sophisticated ambiance. Miss River in New Orleans, LA caters to their upscale clientele with musical entertainment from 10:30am to 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. They’ve also added a Bloody Mary bar to add to the allure.

Tasting Menus

Take your diners on a culinary adventure. Tasting menus allow your talented chefs to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship while providing guests with an array of flavors and textures. To promote these exclusive dining experiences, highlight the thought and skill that goes into creating each dish. Share behind-the-scenes stories, interviews with your chefs, and details about the ingredients used. SoLo Farm & Table in South Londonderry, VT celebrates farm-to-table dining with weekly five-course chef’s tasting menus for $160 per person.

Beer Dinners

Partnering with local breweries to host beer dinners is an excellent way to attract beer enthusiasts. Beer drinkers tend to be incredibly loyal to their favorite brewers, so this is a great way to broaden your visibility through cross promotion. Knife & Fork Inn in Atlantic City, NJ offers a four-course dinner paired with four beers from nearby Ludlam Island Brewery for just $50 per person.

Wine Dinners

Similar to beer dinners, wine dinners offer a chance to showcase the expertise of your sommelier and collaborate with renowned wineries or vineyards. By curating a menu that complements the wine selection, you create a sophisticated experience that appeals to both wine connoisseurs and food lovers. Bonus points if you can bring the winemaker on-site for the dinner itself to talk guests through the pairings and backstory of the winemaking like Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles, CA did.

Wine Pairing Classes

If you’re looking for something less formal than wine dinners, host interactive wine pairing classes to educate your guests about the art of matching wines with different dishes. This event not only engages your audience but also highlights your wine selection and expertise. By providing insights into the flavors, aromas, and nuances of different wines, you enhance your customers' appreciation for wine and elevate their dining experience. Scarpetta NYC takes their wine pairing classes to the next level by providing a history of wine making, sharing the proper verbiage and tasting techniques to use, and supplying a cheese & charcuterie spread to enjoy throughout the class.

Cocktail Making Classes

Are you looking for another way to monetize the time and effort you put into creating your cocktail list? Is one particular drink a big draw? This event is among the simplest to host by your existing staff — especially if your business is known for a particular drink or kind of drink. Boston’s Citrus & Salt hosts regular cocktail making demonstrations led by their Beverage Director. The $45 ticket includes a welcome cocktail, snacks, and samples of the three drinks mixed up as part of the demo.

Charcuterie Board Making

Charcuterie is ranked #3 on the National Restaurant Association’s What’s Hot 2023 Culinary Forecast, and restaurants would be wise to capitalize on the trend. Instruct your guests on the art of assembling a visually stunning and delicious charcuterie board. Share tips on selecting the finest cured meats, cheeses, fruits, and accompaniments.

Just like wine and beer dinners are an opportunity to invite the maker as part of the experience, you can use charcuterie board making workshops to partner with local cheesemakers and butcher shops to expand your reach and promotion. Additionally, pairing up with local charcuterie influencers and companies like Southern Cross Kitchen in Conshohocken, PA is a way to outsource the actual event running and serve as the host.

Paint & Sip Events

Paint and sip events create a relaxed and fun atmosphere that appeals to both seasoned illustrators and beginners. Invite local artists to lead painting workshops paired with beverages. Alternatively, you can work with companies like PaintNite or Paint the Town — both partner with restaurants nationwide. At the RoofTop at Exchange Place in Jersey City, NJ, wine and beer are included complimentary with the $35 tickets. Consider that pricing structure when designing your own event. Either fold in additional cost per ticket or charge a lower price point for tickets that don’t include beverages.

Open Mic Nights

Create a platform for local talent with open mic nights. Musicians, poets, and comedians can showcase their skills while guests enjoy libations and meals. This event brings together artists and audiences, fostering a vibrant and supportive community. Every first Wednesday of the month is open mic night at Schooners in Cayucos, CA, where the restaurant uses their dedicated Music Room to host the evening.

Local Comedy Showcase

Partner with local comedians for comedy nights. To find options near you, search for “local comedians in [city name]” as a first step. Look to talent marketplaces like GigSalad and The Bash for a curated selection of comedians, each with a custom profile for you to read more about. Capo in Boston, MA fills up their basement dining room every Wednesday night with a free comedy show. Tickets aren’t sold, but reservations are encouraged, which gives the restaurant a better sense of turnout each week.

Art Shows

Transform your restaurant into an art gallery for an evening, showcasing the work of local artists. Art shows create an inspired ambiance, attracting art enthusiasts and individuals looking for culture alongside their dining experience. Belles Beach House in Venice, CA leverages their local art-centric community to organize an art crawl on their patio with over a dozen vendors.

Bakery Workshops

Let your guests experience the joy of baking with bakery workshops. From bread-making to pastry techniques, these workshops provide a chance to learn from your skilled bakers. Not only is this type of event a lucrative revenue stream — you can charge 10 to 20 times the cost of a baked good — but also leaves attendees with new skills and a deeper appreciation for the art of baking, building positive brand association with your bakery. Café Ficelle in Ventura, CA regularly hosts baking classes on weekend afternoons covering topics from baguettes to sourdough to advanced croissant making.

Cake & Cookie Decorating

Tap into your guests' creative side by hosting cake and cookie decorating events. These interactive workshops allow attendees to learn piping skills, frosting techniques, and create their own edible works of art. Provide a variety of decorating options and treats to inspire your guests to unleash their inner artists.

This is an especially good option for bakeries to create a new revenue stream and sell at a higher price point than baked good products. The owner of Blackmarket Bakery in San Diego, CA supplies a 6” layer cake in her classes, then teaches participants how to make an Italian meringue buttercream before sharing decorating hacks like using the offset spatula and a bench knife.

Candle Making Workshop

Tap into the growing popularity of artisanal crafts by hosting a candle making workshop. Partner with local artisans or experts in the field to guide participants in creating their own custom scented candles. If you’re planning to host on your own, make sure to supply wax, wicks, fragrance oils, containers, thermometers, scales, stirring utensils, and safety gear like gloves and aprons. Consider space requirements for participants to work comfortably. Do individual workstations or a communal table work better? Plus, think about factors like ventilation and lighting. Hidden Craft Brewery in San Diego, CA partnered with an all natural local candle company to produce their event and supplied 36 self-serve taps as part of the experience.

Ugly Sweater Parties

The main focus of an ugly sweater party is the outrageous and festive attire. Decorate your restaurant with holiday-themed decorations like twinkling lights, garlands, and ornaments. This helps create a warm and cozy ambiance that complements the festive spirit. Consider offering seasonal favorites like hot cocoa, mulled wine, festive cocktails, and comfort foods that resonate with the holiday spirit.

Creative dish and drink names might feel silly but land well with customers. Think about setting up photo booths or designated areas where guests can take pictures with their ugly sweaters using props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and other holiday-themed accessories. Be sure to offer a prize for the ugliest sweater. New York City's Rivercrest provides a $50 gift certificate to the winner and free shots to honorable mentions.

Speed Dating

Your restaurant can become the perfect backdrop for connections to flourish. Consider collaborating with local dating organizations, matchmaking services, singles groups, dating coaches, or relationship experts to widen your reach. You’ll also want to set up your space to accommodate the structure of the event by arranging tables and chairs in a way that allows participants to engage in conversations. Typically, speed dating involves a series of short conversations (around 3-5 minutes) between pairs.

Consider using a bell or timer to signal when it's time to switch partners, and designate a break period for participants to relax and mingle — and grab some food and drinks. You’ll want to select a host or emcee who can lead the event, explain the rules and format to participants, and keep the flow of the event running smoothly. West & Co. in Culver City, CA works with matchmaker service My Cheeky Date for their bi-monthly events that cater to singles aged 24-36.

Murder Mystery Party

Murder mystery parties transport your guests into a world of mystique and intrigue. Choose a theme that aligns with your restaurant's atmosphere. It could be a specific era, setting, or genre (for example: 1920s speakeasy, Victorian mansion, or a Hollywood-themed event). Consider the space available in your restaurant and how it can be transformed to create an immersive experience. Use appropriate decorations, props, lighting, and music to create the desired vibe. Pay special attention to details that enhance the theme like table settings, centerpieces, and costumes.

Collaborating with professional event organizers who can orchestrate the entire evening means a lower lift for your staff. If, however, you’d like to host on your own, your team should be knowledgeable about the storyline, characters, and logistics of the event. Train them on how to engage with guests, provide hints if necessary, and maintain the flow of the evening. Il Palazzo in Wanaque, NJ partnered with a local theater company to produce their Murder at the Halloween Ball event.

Flower Arranging Classes

Flower arranging classes are a way to bring people together and explore their creativity. Partner with local florists or flower experts to offer hands-on workshops where participants learn the art of creating stunning bouquets. Decide if you’ll focus on seasonal arrangements or specific floral styles (like modern or rustic). When setting the pricing for the classes, factor in instructor fees as well as the cost of materials like fresh flowers, greenery, vases or containers, floral foam, and floral shears. Billie’s Grocery in Kansas City, MO set a price point of $125 for their class, which also included a summer dessert box of treats from the café.

Book Club

Reach out to nearby bookshops or your community library to facilitate this type of event. You can tap into their audience of readers and book lovers while serving as the venue for people to congregate. Decide if you want to have a facilitated discussion, a guest speaker, or a panel of experts to provide insights on the book. If the book is by a local author, consider inviting them to participate. Pub Thirty-Two in Mission Viejo, CA hosts a monthly “Book Club in the Pub” event in partnership with their local library.

Movie Nights

Firstly, ensure that you have the necessary licensing and permissions to legally screen movies at your restaurant. Compliance with copyright laws is crucial to avoid legal issues. Motion Picture Licensing Corporation offers support specifically to restaurants and bars. You'll also want to invest in a quality screen and audio system to ensure a good viewing experience for your guests. Set up the screen in a location that provides good visibility for all attendees. And, consider creating a movie-themed menu with dishes or drinks inspired by the film's setting or characters.

Pick a cadence and frequency, too — will this be weekly or monthly? Make sure to choose movies that cater to your target audience and align with the ambiance and theme of your restaurant. Café Habana in New York City hosts their free movie nights outdoors every Sunday with a screening of an old classic.

Crawfish Boil

Embrace the rich flavors of Louisiana with a traditional crawfish boil. First, ensure that you have a reliable and quality source for fresh crawfish. Work with reputable suppliers who can provide you with the necessary quantity of live crawfish for the event. You’ll also need to obtain the necessary equipment for a crawfish boil including large boiling pots, propane burners, and long-handled utensils for stirring and serving. Set up an outdoor area or a dedicated space within your restaurant where the boil can take place.

Enhance the boil experience by including additional ingredients in the pot. Traditional additions include corn on the cob, potatoes, sausages, and whole garlic cloves. And don’t forget to add authentic Cajun or Creole seasonings into the mix — think cayenne pepper, garlic, paprika, and onion powder. Brennan's of Houston in Houston, TX hosts their crawfish boil outside in their courtyard and makes it all-you-can-eat alongside beers and Creole bread pudding for dessert.

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Private Events & Buyout Ideas

Whether you’re offering partial and full buyouts, semi-private and private dining, or off-site catered events, a private events strategy is imperative — and don’t forget an events management tool to organize it all. Here are eleven private event and buyout ideas to use as inspiration.

Weddings

Sure, you can have the after party or the rehearsal dinner, but plenty of restaurants are able to offer themselves as event spaces for the actual thing, too. Assess your restaurant's capacity and layout to determine if it can comfortably accommodate a wedding party, including guests, a dance floor, and any additional requirements such as a stage or ceremony area. Consider whether you have separate spaces for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Your restaurant's event coordinator should create comprehensive wedding packages that outline what your restaurant can offer. Gather in Boston, MA has a robust document that covers capacity limits, sample floor plans, vendor partners, rental fees, and creative uses of the space.

Rehearsal Dinners

Hosting rehearsal dinners requires attention to detail and the ability to create an intimate atmosphere. Ensure that the area is separate from the main dining area to provide a sense of exclusivity and privacy. This allows the wedding party to enjoy their time together without disruptions. Do you have a set catering menu, or will you work with the couple to create a customized menu? Either way, pay attention to details that can make the event feel unique and memorable.

Ask if any audiovisual equipment or microphones are required for speeches, slideshows, or presentations. Ensure that your restaurant can accommodate those needs and test the equipment beforehand to avoid any technical issues. Lastly, coordinate with the couple or the wedding planner to establish the timing and flow of the dinner, allowing for speeches, toasts, or any other planned activities. 3 Keys Brewing in Bradenton, FL has three spaces to choose from for their rehearsal dinners, with special pricing and catering options for parties larger than 30.

Bridal Showers

Bridal showers are typically held a few months before the wedding, and restaurants are popular venues for them. To accommodate this type of private event, configure seating arrangements to allow for a seated meal, mingling, and gift opening. Designate an area where the bride can comfortably open her gifts while guests watch and celebrate. Ensure the area is well-organized, easily accessible, and provides enough seating for the bride and any gift assistants. You may want to consider providing a small table or props for displaying the gifts as well. In terms of food offerings, experiment with a pre-set menu. Grand Concourse in Pittsburgh, PA offers three tiers of banquet packages that all include deluxe bread service and coffee, tea, and iced tea.

Baby Showers

Baby showers often involve games, gift opening, and conversations that can generate noise. Consider seating the group in a more secluded area or a private room to minimize disturbance to other restaurant patrons. If private areas are limited, inform other guests about the event to manage their expectations. Monarch Rooftop in Manhattan shares information about their customized baby shower experiences on their website with a call-to-action to inquire.

Graduation Parties

Play host to high school or college graduations during the months of May and June. Create special menus or packages that cater to different preferences and budgets, plus offer a variety of options including buffet-style, family-style, or plated meals. You might want to consider special offers for booking early like Rusty Pelican in Miami, FL does — parties booked by March 31 receive a complimentary graduation cake and champagne or non-alcoholic toast.

Prom Dinners

Position your restaurant as a prime prom dinner venue. Create prix fixe menus or customizable options to cater to prom-goers, allowing them to begin their special night with a top-notch dining experience. Considering the age of the attendees (high school students), think about offering a larger menu of non-alcoholic beverages like mocktails or specialty sodas. Chart House has locations around the country and provides a three-course menu for $39 per person during prom season.

Birthday Parties

Create birthday party packages that include food, beverages, and optional add-ons like decorations, personalized cakes, or entertainment. Offer flexibility in customization to accommodate different party sizes, ages, and preferences. Most of all, make it easy for customers to inquire about availability, menu options, and pricing. Providing clear instructions on how to reserve a party, including any deposit or payment requirements, is key to designing a streamlined process. Elephante in Santa Monica, CA has a simple yet informative private events page that shows the different spaces available to book and capacity limits. Additionally, each button links to a YouTube video tour of the specific space, which is a helpful touch.

Business Meetings

Your restaurant can be a professional meeting space by utilizing your private rooms and equipping the space with audiovisual tools. The space should be equipped with the necessary amenities like Wi-Fi access, power outlets, presentation screens, and whiteboards. Emphasize the importance of privacy and confidentiality to your staff. Train them to respect the sensitive nature of business discussions and to refrain from sharing any information heard during the meeting. At Chef's Dinner Table in New York City, off-site meeting rates for corporate customers start at $350 per hour with a special multi-day booking option.

Team Building Activities

A lot of offices are thinking beyond trust falls — they want unique team building activities. Restaurants are gathering places where employees actually want to be, so make use of that interest and host private events accordingly. Work closely with the event organizer to understand the specific goals and objectives of the team-building activity. This will help you tailor the experience to meet their needs and ensure a successful event. Keep in mind that you may need an open area for group activities or breakout rooms for smaller team exercises. Team-building activities can be dynamic and may require adjustments on the spot, so having staff members who can think on their feet and offer creative solutions will contribute to a smooth and successful event. District Winery in Washington, DC offers a unique mix of sessions from a hands-on wine blending session to games & trivia to a wine & cheese pairing 101 course.

Holiday Parties

When promoting holiday parties at your restaurant, encourage customers to book well in advance as these events are typically in high demand and fill up quickly. Many restaurants set up holiday decor during the month of December for all guests to enjoy so if you'll have decorations during that time, mention that when marketing your holiday private events. It can be a big draw! Rochambeau in Boston, MA lays out their two room choices for holiday parties on a dedicated website page with clear instructions on how to book.

Charity Fundraisers

Support local charities through fundraising events. Create partnerships with organizations and offer special menus or dedicated nights where a portion of the proceeds goes towards a good cause. The biggest decision here is figuring out the format of the fundraiser. This could include a percentage of sales donated, a fixed donation amount per guest, a ticketed event, or a combination of these. Clearly communicate the fundraising format to customers and provide them with information about the charity and its mission. At My Burger in Minneapolis, MN, organizations like schools, teams, and charities can partner with the restaurant for a percentage of all sales to be donated back to the group.

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