A solid music video playlist keeps people engaged, entertained, and in their seats. It gives diners something to watch between conversation lulls, helps set the pace of the night, and keeps solo customers from diving into their phones out of boredom.
A study on music recall found that people remember what they hear in a restaurant for up to an hour after leaving – and that memory is linked to their experience. Now, add a visual element to the mix, and the recall time increases even more. That means your guests aren’t just eating and leaving – they’re absorbing the full atmosphere. When it’s done right, they remember your venue long after they’ve left.
If you’re only thinking about music videos as “background entertainment,” you’re missing out. A well-planned video playlist can actually influence customer behavior in ways that increase dwell time and sales.
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Where Music Videos for Restaurants Go Wrong
Okay, so it sounds easy—just throw on some trending music videos and call it a day, right? Nope. Here’s where things can backfire:
- Overstimulation – You know what’s not a great experience? Trying to enjoy a conversation over drinks while a strobe-light-heavy EDM video blares in the background. Some videos are visually chaotic—fast jump cuts, extreme lighting shifts, or hyperactive animations. These can be fine in small doses, but over time, they create fatigue and actually make people want to leave sooner.
- Unintentional Mood Killers – Imagine sitting down for a casual meal with your mom when Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” starts blasting on the screen in full HD. Cue the uncomfortable silence, awkward eye contact, and the sudden urge to stare intensely at your napkin. Mood? Ruined.
Music videos should support what’s happening in the room, not fight against it.
- Brunch? Light, upbeat indie, acoustic, or throwback pop videos.
- Happy hour? Energetic but not overwhelming—think pop, funk, or classic rock.
- Late night? Hip-hop, electronic, or alternative for a more high-energy feel.
- Date night crowd? Smooth R&B, soft rock, or stylish jazz visuals.
The point is, don’t just press play on whatever’s trending—be intentional.
- Weirdly Silent Videos – One of the biggest mistakes? Playing music videos on screen but running a completely different audio track through the speakers. If someone sees a classic 80s rock video but hears Top 40 pop, it’s like watching a movie with the wrong soundtrack—it just doesn’t feel right. It’s like watching a badly dubbed movie—it just feels off. Syncing up audio and visuals is non-negotiable.
- Mood Whiplash – Nobody wants to hear Mad World by Gary Jules when they’re at a lively weekend brunch. And unless your theme is “most chaotic playlist ever,” don’t follow a high-energy pop anthem with a slow, brooding ballad. Flow matters.
- Playing the Same Stuff Everyone Else Does – If your music video playlist is just “whatever’s trending on YouTube,” you’re missing out. The goal is to create a unique experience that makes people want to come back. Themed nights, deep cuts, and unexpected throwbacks can make a place feel fresh.
How to Do Music Videos Right
If you want to make music videos work for your restaurant or bar, here’s what to keep in mind:
- Match the Vibe to the Time of Day – Keep it light for brunch, energetic for happy hour, high-energy late at night, and smooth for date night. (See point #2 above for details.)
- Know Your Crowd – If your spot leans heavily into craft cocktails, your guests probably don’t want wall-to-wall Pitbull music videos (unless it’s ironically awesome, in which case, go for it). Tailor the experience to the people who are actually coming through your doors.
- Make It Look Good – Screens should enhance the atmosphere, not dominate it. A few well-placed screens? Great. A full-on sports bar-style wall of flashing lights in an intimate bistro? Not so much. The best places for music video screens?
- Near the bar area, where people expect entertainment.
- Lounge spaces where guests are socializing, not eating full meals.
- Open, high-energy areas where the vibe is already lively.
- Embrace Theme Nights & Unexpected Fun – Themed music video nights can be a huge draw. Think Taylor Swift Tuesdays (Swifties will show up, trust me), MTV Throwback Nights with classic 80s and 90s videos, or even a “So Bad It’s Good” night featuring the most ridiculous, over-the-top music videos of all time (Total Eclipse of the Heart, we’re looking at you)
Looking for some more tips check out our video integrations page!
The Takeaway
Music videos are a secret weapon for setting the perfect vibe, keeping guests around longer, boosting orders, and making your venue unforgettable. But they’re not just “set it and forget it” background noise —you need to be intentional and curate the experience to make it work,
So, if your current setup is a loop of YouTube playlists and random TV filler, it might be time to step up your game.
Want help curating the perfect music video experience for your brand? We’ve got you. Let’s talk.
