How to Create a Bar Food Menu to Increase Profits

Posted on December 27 2023

Your guests likely crave a range of tastes when enjoying drinks at your bar, so what is the best bar food to serve? Creating a bar food menu can be challenging, since some customers just want your standard basket of fries, while others want a unique experience. To meet the needs of your guests, listing typical bar foods as well as your own inventive recipes are both great ideas. Below are some useful tips and bar food ideas to create a well-rounded menu that’s sure to satisfy any hungry customer.

Create a Bar Food Menu with the Classics Among the changing bar trends in the industry, some of the best bar food staples remain the same. Below are some common bar menu ideas to satisfy your customers and maximize your profits.

French fries

Onion rings

Nachos

Wings

Mozzarella sticks

Quesadillas

Burger sliders

Artichoke dip

Roasted cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, or other roasted vegetable assortment

There's always room for more classics. Add a regional or local favorite that your customers will love, like Philly cheesesteaks or Chicago-style hot dogs. Either way, you've started your bar food menu off right by including some classic options.

Bar Menu Ideas: The Eye-Catchers In addition to the classics, you can (and should) show off your unique recipes. To come up with new bar food ideas, you can develop a fresh take on the classics above or form your own new concepts. If you are just opening your bar or are looking to reinvigorate your bar food menu, take some inspiration from some of the hottest spots in major cities:

Restaurants and bars can set themselves apart with more intricate or aesthetically pleasing dishes that include exotic ingredients or that combine uncommon flavors. By offering your guests something different, you can create a memorable experience for guests who will look forward to returning.

Pricing Your Bar Food Menu Pricing your bar menu can be tricky, especially if you are serving a range of food, such as cheap, easy-to-make options like french fries, along with more complex items that might cost more and require more labor. Below are some suggestions for pricing your bar food menu.

Classic Bar Food Has a High Profit Margin Traditional bar food, such as french fries, onion rings, and wings, can be made quite cheaply. Not only can you find inexpensive bulk bar food, but most of it is quick to make and does not require much labor. This makes your more classic bar food excellent to feature on your menu for two reasons. It lets you keep your food affordable for virtually every customer, and you can turn a handsome profit even with low prices.

Whether your run a swanky, upscale bar or a casual pub, having a great bar food menu is essential. The best bar food ranges from your classic bar grub to unique and innovative dishes from your kitchen, so a well-rounded menu is ideal. And, by pricing your menu correctly, you will not only satisfy your guests, but your business can flourish as well.