Hosting events and private hire in your pub, bar or nightclub

When people think of celebrations, pubs, bars and club venues often come to mind for their fun, flexible vibe and drinks-first focus. It's all about the experience.

1. A welcoming atmosphere

A lot of people want their events to feel relaxed, social and welcoming—and that’s exactly what wet-led venues provide. Often referred to as a 'third space' pubs and bars are where people go to unwind and connect outside of work and home life. From milestone celebrations to informal business events, your venue can offer a space where people feel like they are able to relax and connect. Unlike formal function rooms, a wet-led space can offer a comfortable, adaptable setting where guests feel at ease.

2. Going beyond alcohol

Sure, having a well-stocked bar is still important, but there’s more to it now. Craft beer selections, signature cocktails and even zero-alcohol options are helping venues stand out. The ‘sober curious’ movement is gaining momentum, so having creative alcohol-free options could be the thing that gets you repeat business.

3. Staying flexible

One night it’s a DJ set with a packed dance floor, the next it’s a private sit-down dinner. Wet-led venues are masters of flexibility. A lot of venues let guests rework the layout to suit almost any event, which is a huge selling point for those who want tailored experiences.

4. Delivering an experience

It’s not just about showing up and having a drink anymore—people want to be entertained. Think cocktail-making classes, immersive theme nights or fan events. Offering interactive experiences like these can make your venue a destination, not just another night out.

5. Community-driven and personal

For a lot of customers, supporting local businesses matters. Your venue is likely already a key part of the local social scene, which gives you an edge. Collaborating with nearby artists, event organisers or influencers can help boost your visibility and strengthen those community ties.

6. Budget-friendly options

Private hire doesn’t have to break the bank. Pubs and bars can often offer event packages that feel premium—without the price tag of larger, more formal venues. Customising options for drinks, food and entertainment means event organisers can control their costs and still provide a great experience.

When you understand what your customers are looking for, you can use the information  to build loyalty and attract new business. 

Different people come to your venue for different reasons. Corporate groups want something relaxed but functional, while party-goers want atmosphere and fun. And then there are the regulars—groups that meet for sports screenings, quizzes or fan nights. Understanding what these audience's value can help you tailor your events and boost bookings.

1. Corporate groups

For many companies, networking and team-building events need to strike a balance between casual and professional. Pubs and bars are perfect for this, offering flexible spaces without the stuffy, formal vibe of a traditional conference venue. Networking drinks, socials and team celebrations often fill mid-week slots, giving you a chance to increase business on quieter nights.

Offering custom packages such as pre-booked drink deals or add-ons like private areas or entertainment, can help you stand out to corporate planners.

2. Private celebrations

Birthdays, anniversaries, and engagement parties are bread and butter for pubs and bars. These guests are looking for lively spaces that can also accommodate their specific needs, whether it’s a private area, themed decor or a DJ. Providing simple, all-in-one packages with drinks, food and entertainment options can make event planning easier for your clients and drive higher spending on the night.

3. Special interest groups

These are your quiz teams, sports fans, gaming communities and themed event lovers. What they want is an interactive, engaging space where they can share their passions. These groups are often highly loyal, especially if you create a strong connection with their community.

Consider collaborating with local clubs, fan groups or even influencers to boost word-of-mouth and build a regular schedule of events that keep people coming back.

When you understand who your audiences are and what they care about, you can create experiences that make your venue their first choice. 

Keeping your events varied is a great way to appeal to different groups and drive repeat business. By offering a mix of in-house events, partnerships, and private bookings, you can maximise your venue’s potential. 

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. In-house ticketed events

Themed nights, live music, DJ sets and pub quizzes are all great options to draw in crowds. These events not only boost footfall but can also drive higher per-head spend, especially if you offer promotions like drinks packages or food deals with the ticket. It’s worth experimenting with seasonal events, like summer beer festivals or Halloween-themed nights, to create a buzz that gets people talking (and returning).

2. Third-party ticketed events

Collaborating with external event organisers can save you time and bring new faces through your doors. Think comedy shows, tasting tours or fan conventions. Promoters handle much of the event planning, while your venue benefits from increased exposure and footfall. Building partnerships with these organisers can also lead to a regular stream of events.

3. Private functions and large group bookings

Milestone birthdays, engagement parties and corporate events are a staple for most wet-led venues. Guests often look for packages that include everything—food, drinks and entertainment—all in one place. The more flexible you can be with layout options and customisation, the more likely you are to secure these bookings.

Upselling extras like a welcome drink, private areas or entertainment (like a live band) can also boost your event revenue.

It’s not enough to plan a great event—you need to make sure people hear about it too and relying on word-of-mouth only goes so far. A well-thought-out promotional strategy can help you fill your event calendar and attract a wider audience.

1. Get social

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook are your best friends when it comes to promoting events. Post teasers, behind-the-scenes clips, and countdowns to build excitement. Reels and TikToks work particularly well for showcasing your venue’s vibe and getting in front of younger audiences.

You can also use polls or questions to engage your followers—ask what theme they'd like to see next, or which cocktails should be on the event menu.

2. Partner up

Local partnerships are a win-win. Collaborate with nearby businesses to cross-promote events. For example, you could partner with a local bakery for a dessert tasting night or a fitness studio for a post-run social.

Influencers can also help you reach new audiences, especially when they’re connected to your local scene. Invite them to your events to share the experience with their followers.

3. Incentivise pre-bookings

Encourage people to book early with offers like early-bird discounts or VIP packages. Offering perks—like reserved seating or a complimentary drink—can make people commit sooner rather than later.

Don’t forget platforms like DesignMyNight, which connects your events to a massive audience already searching for a night out. Listings here help you attract people who might not have heard of your venue otherwise.

Making an event run smoothly is all about preparation. The little things matter—how your space is set up, how fast guests can get a drink and whether your team is ready for anything unexpected.

Start with the layout

People don’t want to be stuck waiting at the bar or crammed into a corner. If it’s a standing event, give them space to move around. For a sit-down event, think about how you can adjust seating for different group sizes. And make sure there's good access to the bar—it can make or break the night.

Service is key

Slow service kills the atmosphere. Pre-paid drinks or mobile ordering might help speed things up. If you’re expecting a rush, make sure you’ve got enough staff to handle it. Quick service keeps people happy (and spending).

Don’t overlook safety

Your guests want to have fun and feel safe while doing it. Make sure you’re meeting licensing rules, and if it’s a big event it is best to have security around to help manage crowds and avoid trouble.

Be flexible

Things go wrong. A DJ is late. Something breaks. It is best to have a backup plan in place and know who to call. If you can handle surprises calmly, your guests won’t even notice.

A packed house might seem like a good indicator of success, but it’s not the whole picture. To really know if your event delivered, you need to look at a few key metrics. Tracking these will help you refine your future events and improve your offerings.

Start with the basics—attendance and revenue

How many people showed up? Did they spend as much as you expected? Keeping tabs on footfall and average spend per guest helps you understand the financial impact of your events.

Check your drink sales

Which packages, offers, or drinks were the most popular? If one package outsold the others, it could point to what’s resonating with your customers—and help you plan future events.

Look at repeat bookings

How many guests came back or booked another event? If they’re returning, you’re doing something right. If not, it’s worth digging into why.

Gather feedback

Don’t just guess how the event went—ask your guests. Short feedback forms or post-event surveys can give you valuable insights. You can even sweeten the deal by offering a discount code for their next visit in exchange for their thoughts.

The more you learn from each event, the better you’ll get at delivering unforgettable experiences that keep people coming back.

In this article, we’ve talked about how wet-led venues can increase revenue by offering both events and private hire. We've shared ideas on the types of events you might want to host, and how to plan and promote them. But one of the biggest challenges you're likely to face is getting bookings—how do you make sure your events and hire spaces are fully booked?

There are plenty of ways to promote your venue and attract new and returning customers. Social media and email campaigns are particularly effective, especially if you're outside a busy city. But for venues in busier areas, discovery platforms like DesignMyNight can be incredibly helpful.

With DesignMyNight, customers can search for venues by location, type, and event date. This helps your space get noticed by people actively looking to plan a celebration or find their next night out. What’s more, the platform lets guests book directly—whether for private hire or ticketed events.

At the same time, Access Collins simplifies how you manage reservations. You can track large group bookings, organise multiple events and handle requests without the usual admin headache.

If you’d like to learn more about how these tools can support your venue, book a demo or speak to our friendly team.