Want to boost a slow night at the brewpub? Games might be the answer

We at Craft Brewing Business have two real loves: Craft beer and games. The point of life, really, is to try and combine the two as often as possible. That’s why this news from digital entertainment company Buzztime caught our eye. Buzztime is launching a new product on their BEOND (Buzztime Entertainment on Demand) tablets, that allows bars and restaurants to quickly and easily create live gaming events in order to bring in more customers on slow nights. The concept is currently being rolled out to all Buffalo Wild Wings in the country, but is also looking to implement the idea in many other independent venues and chains.

Maybe an option for your own brewpub or tasting room?

Venue owners can now run live gaming events so their customers can join teams and play games like:

· Trivia LIVE:  Teams compete in categories like pop culture and sports.

· Hold‘em LIVE: Venue TVs become live poker tables while players use the tablets to hold ‘em or fold ‘em.

· OpinioNation LIVE: This game invites teams of patrons to correctly guess fellow Americans’ responses to amusing survey questions.

Players can enter their answers on the new Samsung tablets (using Android OS), and venues can provide prizes for the winners.

The tablets have already proven their worth; since Buzztime introduced them last year, their number of registered users increased by 70 percent, going from 3 million this time last year to 5 million now. The Buzztime team is confident that LIVE games on the tablets will increase player registration for them and increase revenue for venues.

“We build Buzztime products in order to provide real solutions for our customers. Our growing suite of on-demand Buzztime LIVE games are designed to attract new crowds. Now, by integrating these games with the BEOND platform, we are bridging the gap between the tech world and the hospitality industry to help our clients take their businesses to the next level,” said Vladimir Edelman, Buzztime’s Chief Development Officer.

“Bottom line numbers don’t lie, and we’ve seen an increase in sales. Tuesday nights alone have increased by 30 percent,” said Steve McKinney, General Manager at JR’s Pub, an independent eatery in South Carolina. Just one month after implementing Buzztime’s new BEOND tablets at the venue, McKinney saw a 110 percent increase in overall gameplay.

Once the venue selects a game, date for the event, and hosting option, Buzztime will provide tools to help the bar or restaurant promote their events, including on-screen advertising, in-venue collateral, social media tips, and other resources such as training materials.