Running a successful pub isn’t just about serving great drinks and food – it’s about creating an experience that keeps customers coming back and brings in new faces. If you’re looking to increase bookings and fill those empty tables, you’ve come to the right place.
Running this problem at your pub?
Here's the system I use at The Teal Farm to fix it — real-time labour %, cash position, and VAT liability in one dashboard. 30-minute setup. £97 once, no monthly fees.
Get Pub Command Centre — £97 →No monthly fees. 30-day money-back guarantee. Built by a working pub landlord.
Optimize Your Online Presence
Your digital footprint is often the first impression potential customers have of your pub. Start by claiming and updating your Google My Business listing with accurate hours, contact information, and eye-catching photos of your space and menu items. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews – positive feedback builds trust and improves your local search ranking.
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and includes an easy-to-find booking system. Many potential customers browse on their phones, so a seamless mobile experience is crucial for converting visitors into bookings.
Leverage Social Media Marketing
Social media platforms are goldmines for pub bookings. Share behind-the-scenes content, showcase your daily specials, and highlight events. Instagram and Facebook are particularly effective for the hospitality industry – use them to tell your pub’s story and create an emotional connection with your audience.
Post regularly and engage with your followers. Respond to comments and messages promptly, and don’t forget to use location tags and relevant hashtags to increase your visibility to local customers.
Create Compelling Events and Experiences
Regular events give people a reason to visit and book ahead. Consider quiz nights, live music, seasonal celebrations, or themed evenings. These events not only drive bookings but also help build a community around your pub.
Partner with local businesses or organizations to cross-promote events. This expands your reach and introduces your pub to new potential customers who might become regulars.
Implement a Strategic Booking System
Make it as easy as possible for customers to book tables. Offer multiple booking channels – online, phone, and walk-ins. Consider using booking software that sends confirmation emails and reminder texts, reducing no-shows and improving customer experience.
Focus on Customer Experience
Exceptional service turns first-time visitors into loyal customers who recommend your pub to others. Train your staff to be welcoming, knowledgeable about your offerings, and attentive to customer needs.
Create memorable moments – remember regular customers’ preferences, celebrate special occasions, and go the extra mile to exceed expectations.
Used daily at Teal Farm Pub, Washington NE38
The Pub Command Centre handles everything in this article — without a spreadsheet.
Wet GP%, dry GP%, labour costs, beer line cleaning logs (12 lines), HACCP temperature checks, stock ordering, weekly P&!mp;L. All in one system. Used every shift at Teal Farm where labour runs at 15.1% against a UK pub average of 25-30%.
On a pub taking £900k a year, running labour at 15% instead of 25% is worth roughly £90,000. That is what tracking it daily — every shift, every week — actually looks like.
£97 once. No subscription. No monthly fee. Works on any phone, tablet or laptop. Setup under 10 minutes. Built and used by a Marston’s CRP licensee with a 5-star EHO rating and 180 covers.
See the Pub Command Centre — £97 →
One-off payment. Works on any device. Used by a working licensee, not a software company that’s never pulled a pint.
Build Partnerships and Community Connections
Connect with local sports teams, business groups, and community organizations. Offer group booking discounts or become a regular meeting spot. Word-of-mouth marketing from satisfied groups can significantly boost your bookings.
Ready to Transform Your Pub’s Success?
📊 Your EPOS tells you what sold. Pub Command Centre tells you whether you made money.
Real-time labour %, cash position and VAT liability in one dashboard. Built by a working pub landlord. £97 once, no monthly fees. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Take your pub to the next level with proven digital marketing strategies that drive real results.
Running your pub on gut feel?
The Pub Command Centre gives you wet GP%, cellar checks, staff cost and weekly P&L — from your phone, every shift. £97 once. No subscription.
See the Pub Command Centre →