Spring Break brings the party, St. Patrick’s Day delivers the pints, and March Madness keeps the excitement going all month long. Even better? These events often overlap, giving your venue the chance to keep the momentum going for weeks—if you plan it right.
Instead of treating these as separate parties, why not blend the best of all worlds and turn March into an extended celebration that draws. Here’s how to make the most of these back-to-back opportunities.
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Create an Experience That Stands Out
Rather than hosting one-off events, run a March Madness Party Series with Spring Break hype, St. Paddy’s traditions, and basketball showdowns to bring in different crowds throughout the month.
Green, Gold & Game Days:
- Start the week with Spring Break energy (beach vibes, tropical drinks).
- Transition to St. Patrick’s madness by the weekend (and into Monday, since St. Paddy’s is March 17). Don’t forget selection Sunday for the March Madness tournament on March 16th
- Keep the March Madness watch parties rolling with food & drink specials during every game.
- Spring Break Shenanigans Meets Irish Traditions: A mix of classic Spring Break contests (think trivia, dance-offs, or beach ball giveaways) with St. Paddy’s-inspired twists (like a pot of gold prize or leprechaun-themed games) and bracket challenges.
- Shamrock Shore Party: Beach-themed party but with green sand, Guinness, and reggae remixes of Irish pub songs.
- Leprechaun Luau: Tiki drinks, Hawaiian shirts, but with Jameson and Bailey’s in the mix.
The key? Create an experience worth remembering and talking about, so customers feel like there’s always something new happening and they keep showing up.
Appeal to Different Audiences
March Madness, Spring Break, and St. Paddy’s attract very different guests—but that doesn’t mean you have to choose between them. A well-planned setup lets you keep everyone engaged.
- Daytime: Spring Break Chill, Nighttime: High Energy
- Afternoons: Spring Break vibes with tropical music, frozen drinks & relaxed social energy.
- Evenings: St. Paddy’s rowdiness & basketball intensity with Irish rock, crowd anthems & game-time hype tracks.
- Segment Your Space.
- Outdoor Patio: Laid-back Spring Break lounge with frozen drinks & social games.
- Inside: High-energy St. Paddy’s pub & game-day arena with screens, music, and themed décor. By offering multiple ways to enjoy the party, you maximize your appeal without overcomplicating things.
Keep Customers Engaged Longer
One of the best ways to increase sales and engagement is to give customers a reason to stick around and return throughout the week.
- March Madness Loyalty Challenge – Customers who visit for at least 3 events (Spring Break, St. Paddy’s, or a March Madness game) get VIP perks, discounts, or a shot at a grand prize.
- Real-Time Bracket Buster Deals – Use digital signage to run live votes:
- “Who’s winning tonight? Pick your team and get a deal if they do.”
- Group Party Promotions – Offer VIP tables & drink packages for groups watching the games, celebrating St. Paddy’s, or partying for Spring Break.
Make your venue feel like “the spot” people want to return to—not just a one-night stop.
Turn Your Crowd into Your Best Marketers
Your best promotion? User-generated content. Customers are already snapping photos and posting videos—give them something worth sharing.
- The Ultimate March Selfie Station Combine Spring Break props, St. Paddy’s gear & basketball-themed backdrops so every guest gets a photo-worthy moment.
- Photo-Worthy Decor & Activities: A “Pot of Gold” money-grab booth, a beer-pong tournament with green Solo cups, or a Spring Break confessional wall where guests leave anonymous (and wild) stories.
- #MarchMadnessVsMarchMischief or #SpringPattys Challenge: Run a TikTok or Instagram contest where customers post their best Spring Break vs. St. Paddy’s vs basketball fan look (or fusion outfits) – Winner gets a VIP experience.
- Surprise & Delight Moments: Randomly gift customers fun prizes (free drinks, t-shirts, VIP passes) if they post about their night at your venue.
Turn your party into a viral event, and your marketing budget shrinks itself.
Maximize Energy with Smart Music Strategy
Instead of simply creating two different playlists, think about how music can drive the energy throughout the night.
- Build Excitement with BPM & Transitions: Start the evening with chill Spring Break vibes, then gradually increase the tempo as the crowd builds. With Control Play, you can automate these energy shifts so your music evolves with the night.
- Mashups That Keep the Party Going: Who says Irish rock & hip-hop can’t mix? Throw in unexpected covers, crowd favorites, and fun genre blends.
- Music-Based Promotions: Announce “When this song plays, shots are half-price”—customers will stay engaged with the music while keeping drinks flowing. Leverage custom messaging between songs to push drink specials, contests, or upcoming events.
- Event Transitions – From March Madness watch parties to St. Patrick’s weekend celebrations, Control Play lets you schedule music that fits every part of the night, ensuring a smooth transition between different audiences and energy levels.
Your atmosphere should evolve with the crowd—not stay static all night.
March Is Your Time to Shine
Spring Break, St. Patrick’s Day, and March Madness don’t have to compete—they can work together to make March your busiest, most profitable month of the year.
By creating an extended celebration, balancing different audiences, and making your venue an interactive hotspot, you’ll be the go-to destination for every big moment in March.
Now, let’s make this a record-breaking month! Reach out to us if you want some assistance with your March strategy. We love to help.
