IT’S PLAYOFF SEASON! Bring the Energy. Drive Traffic. Keep Guests Coming Back.
The NBA and NHL playoffs are a massive opportunity for bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. With fans fired up and games nearly every night, this season is your chance to boost revenue, keep guests longer, and turn casual viewers into loyal regulars.
Here’s a no-fluff game plan—packed with practical, high-impact strategies you can start using tonight.
Table of Contents
1. Pre-Game Power Hour (That Actually Fills Tables)
Instead of waiting for the first whistle, launch a “Pre-Game Hype Hour” one hour before game time with a high-energy playlist (think upbeat rock, hip-hop, or crowd-favorite anthems) that build intensity and excitement. Pair that with appetizers or drink specials that end right at tip-off or puck drop.
- “$5 Apps Until First Shot”
- “Shoot Your Shot” beer buckets
- Music: A Control Play “Pre-Game Pump-Up” playlist auto-starts at 6:30 PM
Why it works:
Gets people in early, boosts early revenue, and staggers the rush to keep your staff from getting “crushed” all at once.
2. Emotional Engagement Through Music & Signage
Playoff nights are emotional rollercoasters – lean into it. Pair digital signage with mood-matching playlists for a deeper fan connection:
- “Show Us Your Game Face!” (with QR code to upload selfies)
- “Which Leafs loss still haunts you?” or “Your favorite Lakers moment?”
- “Mood Check: What song matches your playoff stress right now?”
3. Use Signage to Do the Talking (And the Selling)
Let your screens handle some of the hustle with auto-rotating playoff messages:
- “Happy Hour Ends at Tip-Off—Don’t Miss It”
- Remind guests of your next big playoff event
- Highlight game-specific specials (auto-scheduled through Control Play)
Why it works:
Zero staff effort, more upsells, and it keeps your playoff energy front and center.
4. Smart Promotions that Don’t Break the Bank
You don’t need a massive budget to create playoff magic. Here are a few easy, effective playoff promotions:
- “Wear Your Jersey, Get 10% Off Wings”
- Game Night Giveaways: Free merch, drinks, or tickets announced via signage
- Finals Night Themes – Staff in jerseys, specialty drinks, themed music
- When your team wins, everybody wins – Stars Win? Pints Drop to $5 ‘Til Close.
- Get a dollar off nachos for every goal scored
(The more they score, the more you snack.)
5. Build Playoff Rituals that Stick
Create low-effort traditions that fans come to expect and love:
- Victory Song: Pick one iconic track to play when the home team wins. The crowd will go wild when they hear it—win after win.
- A “Cool Down” playlist + one last happy hour round
- Fan Therapy Hour: If the team loses, offer moody music and discounted drinks to soften the blow.
- Repeat Seat Culture – Put up a sign: “See You Thursday—Same Seat?”
Again, we have a playlist for that! Check out our Gameday Playlist Pack.
It’s About the Game Plan.
With Control Play, you’ve already got the tools to create playoff energy. From music to signage to scheduling—it’s all built in. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just plug in a few smart ideas and let the playoffs do the rest. And key for multi venue locations, this can all be controlled remotely, so you set it once and it can be pushed to all locations!
Need help setting up your playoff programming?
Let us help you lock it in for the next round.
