Gone are the days of ordering your favourite dishes for takeout and delivery, and dining in small groups. After three years of social distancing, bars and restaurants have a huge potential to curate something memorable for diners, as restrictions proceed to relax. The post-pandemic social landscape continues to evolve, and there’s a growing hunger for new culinary experiences that satisfy more than the appetite. Diners are craving multisensory, social experiences that satiate their need for connection, interaction, and entertainment.
As the dawn of multisensory dining experiences transforms the F&B industry, we’ve compiled a list of ways different restaurants have adapted to changing consumer wants and needs.
1. Four Hands Dinners
Restaurants are always looking for innovative and exciting ways to draw in customers, and Four Hands Dinners have taken the culinary world by storm, first gaining traction during the pandemic. Amidst the travel restrictions, chefs from different restaurants have collaborated to design special menus for a limited period, showcasing a unique blend of their individual cooking styles, by incorporating flavours, techniques, and ingredients from each other’s cultures and regions.
The result is an exciting culinary fusion that appeals to the existing customer base of each restaurant, drawing in engagement and attention that increases revenue and awareness for both brands. Four Hands Dinners are particularly effective when collaborating chefs each have an established fan base or distinctive culinary personalities.
2. International Guest Shifts
As travel becomes more accessible, particularly to those in the APAC region, there are plenty of opportunities for key regional players in the F&B industry to interact and collaborate with one another. Chefs are able to travel abroad to seek inspiration from other industry leaders and cuisines and expand their network, building a reputation outside of their home cities.
These cross-border connections also enable gourmands to enjoy something new in their own cities, satisfying their appetite for novelty and exclusivity as international chefs collaborate with local chefs in the creation of limited tasting menus and experiences. Bars can also consider hosting international guest shifts, inviting renowned mixologists to collaborate with their own team in order to forge one-of-a-kind experiences that draw in their target audience.
3. Thematic Dining Experiences
In today’s social climate, dining out is no longer just about the food. It’s an experience that people actively seek, an escape from their daily routines, and an opportunity to indulge in new tastes, sights, and sounds.
Thematic dining experiences are a way to make dining out more memorable for customers. Some ways in which thematic dining experiences manifest include themed restaurants that immerse guests in a particular world, culture, or era. For example, a Japanese restaurant that pays tribute to traditional folklore may weave in historical elements into the menu and atmosphere, as traditional Japanese folk music plays in the background. Each element contributes to the experience, from the menu, to the music, entertainment, décor, and the hospitality.
4. Dinnertainment
Dinnertainment is a trend that has been gaining traction in recent years, and for good reason. Not only does it add an element of fun to the dining experience, but it also creates lasting memories, and a buzz that attracts new customers and keeps regulars coming back for more.
There are multiple ways that a restaurant or bar can incorporate entertainment into their offerings. One simple and popular option is to hire performers or musicians to entertain guests while they dine. Performances can include live bands, open-mic sessions, or even dance performances that are relevant to the venue’s atmosphere and style, appealing to the right target audiences.
Interactive experiences are also another way to engage diners, such as cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, or even quiz nights. This not only provides entertainment, but also offers customers the opportunity to learn something new and take something valuable from the experience. These types of experiences can also be a great way to promote a restaurant’s brand and showcase its expertise, allowing them to differentiate themselves from competitors in a saturated marketplace.
Need a Helping Hand?
Getting the ball rolling on some of these marketing ideas can be tricky. Not to mention, if you're going to get the best result for all that effort, you need to ensure that you're marketing effectively.
At Monogic, we are more than an agency. We partner with restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses to help you reach success as part of your team. Drop us a message and learn how we can make your business truly successful.