A good happy hour flyer also tells the neighborhood that this is the easy, low-pressure option after work, and gives them something specific to order.
Make the hours the hero
Put the days and times in the largest type, with a short line such as Monday to Friday, 4 to 6 pm. Directly under it, list the deals as a short menu: a drink price, a bite price and one pairing. Three or four lines is the limit. Every extra line weakens the rest.
Headline ideas
Happy hour headlines should sound relaxed and a little cheeky.
- Beat the commute. Start the evening here.
- Two hours. Great prices. Your table.
- Half-price bites until six.
- Your Thursday just got easier.
- Cheers starts at four.
What to list
- Days and times, including the end time.
- Drink specials with prices.
- Food specials with prices.
- Whether the deals apply at the bar only or throughout.
- Address and a note on parking or transit.
- An age notice where local rules require one, and a line encouraging responsible drinking.
Sizes for the bar
A table tent made from a 4 by 6 inch card works for bar tops and tables. A letter-size 8.5 by 11 inch poster suits the window and the host stand. A half-letter 5.5 by 8.5 inch flyer travels well to nearby offices. For social, a 1080 by 1350 pixel feed post and a 1080 by 1920 pixel story can both carry the schedule, and a weekly story reminder keeps the hours fresh in people's minds.
Where to promote it
Think about where people are at four and five o'clock. Offices, coworking spaces, gyms, train stations and hospitals nearby all have people leaving work. Give a stack to building managers and reception desks, and ask neighboring businesses if their teams can see a flyer in the break room. Invite local groups, like a running club or a book club, to use the deal as a regular meetup.
Check before it prints
- End time stated clearly.
- Prices match your register.
- Deal exclusions noted, such as no holidays.
- Responsible drinking line present where needed.
- The design reads from across the bar.
Special offers that suit a bar
The strongest happy hour offers are easy to understand and easy to order. A set price on a pour of house wine, a pitcher deal for groups, half-price starters and a signature drink at a fixed price all work. Pair a drink with a bite so guests build a small order rather than a single drink.
Make it seasonal
Refresh the flyer with the seasons. A patio line in summer, a warm drink in winter and a game-day deal in fall all give regulars something new to notice. A fresh version also lets you correct hours and prices that have changed.
Common mistakes
Listing too many deals, burying the end time and using photos that hide the drink are the three usual problems. Another is forgetting to brief the staff, so a guest arrives with the flyer and meets confusion. Make sure everyone knows the offer before it goes out.
Where it hangs in the room
Place the flyer at eye level near the entrance and at the bar, so walk-ins can read it while they wait for a seat. A small card on each table then reminds seated guests that the offer is still on and when it ends.
Making it in Studio
Studio makes offer creatives and flyers from your brand profile. Write the hours and prices yourself, pick a dish or drink image, and export a print or social version after you check every number.
