Sports Bar Attendees - Need your insight

[VolinArizona]

Alright Vol Nation, you've been very good to me, and I trust your words on a lot of things. Now I need your help.

I have started a plan that will eventually move me back to Knoxville with the end result being that I open a sports bar on the Strip.

I have a really cool idea that will make the sports bar a little more exciting and my idea gives the place something different - a gimmick if you will. I don't really want to say what it is right now, as I think it would kind of be the first of it's kind.

Anyway, what I would like you all to help me with is what YOU, the sports bar consumer, like and dislike about the general sports bars. What things have you seen that have made you say "This place is awesome"? What things have you seen that have made you say "This place blows, we aren't coming back"? What kind of menus do you like at sports bars? What kind of drink specials?

I know what I, Doug, like and dislike at sports bars, but I need a lot of input from other people.

So, help me help you!

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Sounds like a conversation I have hear many times over amongst people sitting at a bar at 2am.

[rwemyss]

I don't really care for the stupid bar game trivia things that are on the TVs. I guess that's fine if there isn't an actual sports even on TV, but usually, that's why I'm there, so get the game on ALL the TVs!!!

[VolinArizona]

Originally Posted by rwemyss

I don't really care for the stupid bar game trivia things that are on the TVs. I guess that's fine if there isn't an actual sports even on TV, but usually, that's why I'm there, so get the game on ALL the TVs!!!

Agreed. I hate those things.

[dan4vols]

For me it's the little things. How easy is it to get to, parking for example. Does the staff project that they wait on you cause it's their job, or do they seem glad to see you? And I think number 1 is immaculate cleanliness. The rest is hanging a dozen tv's and some 10k in sports memoribilia and your off.

[TennTradition]

Originally Posted by rwemyss

I don't really care for the stupid bar game trivia things that are on the TVs. I guess that's fine if there isn't an actual sports even on TV, but usually, that's why I'm there, so get the game on ALL the TVs!!!

That's funny. NTN Trivia is how I often pick which sports bars I go to when games aren't on. My wife and I go to one bar here in Boston all the time because they have it...there is pretty much no other reason we would go because there are a lot of closer bars. But, it's not really a Sports Bar. However, when I was in Knoxville, I went to Buffalo Wild Wings and Rick's Place a lot because they had it. (disconnected from when I would go there for games)

[kiddiedoc]

Nice, large TV's
Professional, well-attired, and courteous staff
Excellent smoke-removal system
Well-maintained pool tables and cues

[orange+white=heaven]

I'm sure I'll think of other things, but the first peeve for me is when you call ahead and they say, yes, they will be showing the game.... then you get there and while they are showing it, they won't turn it up because other people are watching different games. I didn't come in just to watch for pete's sake....

[doozer]

some things:

1. $2 domestic pints should be mandatory on Friday, Sturday, and Sunday afternoons.
2. late night Happy Hour is a great idea. run drink and food specials from 10-12 or 11-1 for those of us who have to work later than the normal people.
3. are the girls that work there hot? do they flirt? i realize i won't go home with them, but it's nice to have something to look at.
4. it shouldn't take 6 hours to get the channel changed to the game you want. i can't tell you how many times i've requested a game that wasn't on at the time and the staff just looked at each other like 'Huh?'
5. along the lines of #3, make sure and guys on the staff aren't dbags.
6. if your staff is working at a sports bar, make sure they actually know something about sports. i can't even begin to tell you what it does for my appetite, (true story) while watching a Lakers game, for the server (male) to tell me that Kobe is the most overrated player in the NBA and isn't worthy of half the praise he gets.
7. i love chicken wings. they are a must for any bar. the more selections on flavors, the better.
8. if i come to the bar, i want to hear the sound. i could sit at home with the TV on mute. i'm at the bar because i want to watch the game with a bunch of fans like myself, not listen to Kiss or Metallica or whatever else the usual schmuck plays on the jukebox.
9. that said, the online jukeboxes are sweet. they are must haves for any bar.
10. darts should be free. seriously, it costs about 15 dollars for a cheap board and darts. i'm not there to play on some world class dart setup. i'm there to BS with my buddies while throwing some darts.

[doozer]

Originally Posted by kiddiedoc

Excellent smoke-removal system
Well-maintained pool tables and cues

agreed on these two as well. i'm cool paying a few bucks to play pool if the equipment is in shape.

and i vote for non-smoking bars all together.

[allvol123]

Hire only good looking waitresses. Very important issue.

[therealUT]

My biggest complaint about Sportsbars is the lack of quality service. I would rather pay $1 more per drink, wings, etc. than have to wait 15-30 minutes between drinks for another round.

Also, there is no point in placing some TVs just to say you have that TV. If watching the TV is going to make the viewer strain in discomfort, then you might as well scrap that TV.

Also, the audio in sports bars should be the feed from the main game. I do not need to listen to crappy 80s rock while I watch a football game.

Just a few suggestions. Hope they help.

[VolinArizona]

On the point of audio - I have a very cool idea for college football (mostly) and college basketball.

[doozer]

speakers on the tables? that would be sweet.

[VolinArizona]

Originally Posted by doozer

speakers on the tables? that would be sweet.

Yes, and another idea that, in my mind, will make all of us college sports fanatics FLOCK to my sports bar. I need to do this, I think, for my own happiness and to create something new.