The Ultimate Guide to Why You Should Play Music in Your Restaurant
People come to restaurants for many reasons. Some want a place to eat, others wish for somewhere they can hang out with friends and family, and some just want to be entertained. Music is an excellent way of entertaining people in your restaurant without breaking the bank or making it feel cliche. This guide will discuss why you should play music in your restaurant and how you can do it effectively!
Why is music important in a restaurant?
Music is not only a way to improve mood, but it can also help customers spend more time at their table. For example, one study showed that guests exposed to slow music during their dinner spent an average of a minute longer per drink visit and almost two minutes longer per meal visit than those who weren’t attending with such a background.
That means your restaurant can be more profitable by playing music. Music will also help create a unique atmosphere for different customers in various moods and tastes – from the family with kids, a couple on date night, or a business meeting.
What do you need to play music in a restaurant?
Before you play music in your restaurant, be sure to ask these important questions. Suppose you broadcast recorded music in public, including playing a radio or TV on your premises. In that case, you will usually be legally required to obtain both a PPL and PRS for Music license.
Different audiophile blogs will rave about which element of the PA system is the top priority: whether you should put most of your money into the AV receiver to create surround sound and the speaker, etc. However, one thing’s for certain: great music comes down to having a great quality source. This can mean anything from a record player or laptop to live bands with pro equipment; speakers and amplifiers can only do their best to keep an audio signal clear if it’s coming from something high-quality.
Does loud music make people drink more?
A study of the effects of music levels on drinking in a bar setting has found that high sound levels lead to increased consumption and a decreased rate. In addition, the study found that people drink more when the sound level is louder but spend less time doing so.
What kind of music is played in restaurants?
Choose soft jazz or classical music as a background option. Luxury hotels may also offer live classical recitals at the weekend. There is also a rising trend for restaurants to offer live jazz, while casual dining venues may favor something more upbeat from the likes of Johnny Cash.
A restaurant that plays music will have different types depending on their customers and the atmosphere they are trying to create:
- If you want your guests to enjoy themselves and feel relaxed, classical or soft rock might be best.
- For a lively environment with lots of chatting, an upbeat pop track could work well – but make sure it’s not too loud!
- In some Asian cultures, music at dinner time can help promote harmony, so traditional Thai tunes may be popular in this scenario.
- Some establishments choose background noise (such as wind chimes) over playing recorded soundtracks.
Songs can make waiting more pleasant
According to scientific research, music can make queuing less stressful. Waiting guests don’t become as anxious and stressed if nice, soft tunes play in the background. Perhaps counterintuitively, slow music has been found to make time go by faster than uptempo music. So if you run a busy café, make sure to start the day by playing pleasant and relaxing tunes that will sweeten your guests’ moods as they queue for their morning coffees or teas.
You can increase spending with the right beat
A powerful cue indicating one interpretation of a place is the music that fills it. Restaurateurs can take advantage of this by playing certain types of music in certain places to create different interpretations. For example, pop or rock songs work well for making a space seem more relaxed than classical or jazz does among customers who want quick service or a restaurant with kids.
To make your establishment stand out from the competition and maximize earnings, play whatever type of music you think will resonate most with your customer base before they enter the doors.