We’re thinking of starting up a Bike Night at a Local watering hole in TN. I’m looking for ideas of what makes a successful bike night. Looking for any good feedback. The Bagger Nation is the type of crowd we’d like to attract.

Night of the week?
50/50 drawings?
Bike show?
Old Cars included too?

 

Ice cold beer!

 

Beer, food and bikes. The rest will take care of itself. Make sure there is ample parking!

 

I work road construction and I almost start crying when the bike night crowd rides by on thursday, please do it on a sat or sun.

 

besides the obvious (beer, food specials, music) an outside area that you can eat and observe the bikes rolling in would be nice.

 

Keep us posted we enjoy getting out and meeting folks with our products..and where are ya in Tennessee?

 

What city are you in?
If you're in my city, Knoxville, forget Thursday nights.
Quaker Steak & Lube has had that night pretty much wrapped up for years.

I think if you try to do a bike night on a night that another place has one, that's been long running and popular...will be a flop.

Offer LIVE music and beer specials.
Toss free t-shirts into the crowd.
I think that's the key to Quaker Steak & Lube's success here.

 

Being a musician and playing a lot of different bike nights at a lot of different bars, I can tell you, good music, good cheap, maybe even free food, and if you have an outdoor area, you'll do better. A bike night crowd wants to look at bikes. Their own and see what people pull up on.

 

In the summer here a local bar has Hot Rods & Harleys Night, the bar has an out door area where he has burgers and a beer for 2 bucks and also live music and Miller Girls,Need i say more?

 

Besides what everyone else said, try to find quality vendors that have something that bikers would be interested in. Don't try to turn it into a flea market, and only allow one vendor for each service (eg., LED's, Stereos, Local HD Dealer) the idea is to get the vendors excited about bringing their best. You can hit the vendors up for free swag to toss out to the crowd.

Try to secure a local biker publication to help you promote it, and to provide MC (as in emcee, not Motorcycle club) support. The MC can provide distraction between band breaks with things like trivia contest, stupid human tricks, and other things where swag can get tossed.

Getting a major sponsor always helps. Ideas would be the local HD dealer, a large indy, an attorney, or other large service that can supply advertising, and promotional support.

Saftey is an important concern. Having the local police involved to supply traffic control is essential. It will also help if you pave the way with them and let them know that you want a fun, but safe, and sane atmosphere. There will appreciate it, and, perhaps, allow a little more leeway for fun.