The Science Behind the Perfect Bar Music – How to Set the Right Mood
Music is one of the most important aspects of a bar. The right music can create a certain atmosphere and make customers want to stay longer.
Some bars want to create a relaxed atmosphere where people can hang out and chat with friends. For this, smooth music is best.
Listen to Your Audience
The best way to set the right mood is to listen to your audience. You can do this in various ways, including making eye contact and using casual language. You can also ask them questions and encourage participation. This will give them a reason to listen and help you understand what they need from your presentation.
If your audience is engaged, you can tell by their body language. They will likely be leaning forward and seem attentive. You can also hear their reactions by listening to muttering or the rustling of their seats. If they are silent, this may indicate that they don’t care about your topic or have already heard your presentation.
Another great way to listen to your audience is by inviting them into the content creation process through crowdsourcing. You can ask for their opinions on a topic and use the responses in your blog posts or white papers. This will give them a sense of ownership and encourage them to share it with their social media followers.
Pick Up On Their Atmosphere
From the moment patrons step inside your bar or pub, their mood is set by everything around them. Sometimes this is intentional, and the entire environment is designed to convey a certain vibe. Other times, the atmosphere could be more deliberate. Televisions blare mindlessly, and background music is often treated as necessary white noise.
Whether soothing, soft, or energetic, the bar music you play will directly impact the overall atmosphere. For instance, smooth, relaxing music is best to encourage people to talk. On the other hand, rock and pop music is ideal if you want people to dance and get excited.
You can also use your decor to set the right mood. For example, consider using warm lighting and candles to create a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Then add some interesting wall art to the mix to make your space feel like home.
Choose the Right Genre
Music genres are a useful tool for bar owners to use in marketing. Choosing a genre that is familiar to your target audience is important. More familiar music will seem out of place and can be off-putting to patrons.
Familiar music will be recognizable and help create a sense of affiliation and familiarity with your space. It can also be a good way to keep your music fresh and engaging.
For example, some musicians will explore a new genre to challenge themselves and break out of old habits. Getting the hang of writing in a new genre can be hard, but it is doable with some practice and professional training.
One of the best features for identifying a music genre is its tempo. This is typically listed as Beats Per Minute (bpm). Tempo can indicate how happy or sad a song sounds and help create the right mood for your audience. However, tempo can be misleading as some songs can change the way they sound to make them fit into different genres.
Choose the Right Lighting
The music used in bars must be appropriate for the loud or low atmosphere. Loud music can make talking difficult, which is great for increasing table turnover rates but not ideal for a bar that wants to encourage guests to sit and drink.
Lighting also plays a big role in setting the mood. If it’s too bright, it can look harsh and unwelcoming; if it’s too dim, it can look bland. Ideally, the lights should match the style of the music you’re playing.
One great way to do this is by using musical LED lights that synchronize with the frequency of the music. This allows the lights to flash along with the beat of a dynamic dance song while fading slowly when a more soothing slow song is played. This creates a more engaging experience for your guests and keeps them coming back for more.
Choose the Right Decor
In addition to choosing the right music, bars and pubs must select the right decor. After all, the atmosphere of a space affects how patrons interact with each other and can influence whether or not they’re willing to spend money in your establishment. For example, a bar might play quieter blues music early in the evening to encourage patrons to converse and relax and then switch to dance classics later at night to help get people on the dance floor and spend more money.