Planning a successful back to school bar crawl is all about timing, catching students the second they are back on campus and ready to go out. To pack every venue on your route and keep ticket sales moving, you just need a straightforward plan that hits the right crowd from day one.
Your primary crowd consists of university students, incoming freshmen during Frosh Week, and young adults in their early 20s. Tailoring your event tone directly to this group sets the foundation for high attendance.
Nail the Timing and Theme
September is the prime window because energy is high and everyone is looking for plans. The first week back on campus is when everyone wants to socialize. So pick a theme that gives people a reason to participate.
Host a crawl specifically tailored for incoming freshmen during their first week on campus. This is prime time because thousands of new students are looking for ways to make new friends and meet new people. Brand it specifically for the younger crowds and partner with residence life advisors to ensure students are ready for a fun first week.
Host a White Lie Bar Crawl, order affordable bulk shirts from a site like Blank Apparel and hand them out with Sharpies so attendees can write a lie on their shirts. This theme is a common one for bar crawls because it works, the shirts are used as an instant conversation starter and students are able to break the ice and meet new people in a fun way.
Keep it simple with a traditional semester kickoff theme. Focus entirely on how excited everyone is now that they are all back together and starting off a new school year. You can also encourage crowd participation by suggesting some school inspired dress codes, however keep it simple and effective.
Connect with neighbourhood bars early to negotiate deals and map out a route that keeps the crowd moving smoothly from one venue to the next.
Leverage Student Ambassadors
Word of mouth marketing is most common for campus events. Reach out to fraternity and sorority members, student run clubs, and well connected campus figures to spread the word. Offer package discounts or ticket incentives so they are motivated to bring their entire group. This also drives promotion, so once your tickets go live, you can build momentum by pairing student community outreach with active social media campaigns.
Keep Ticketing Simple
Your purchasing process should be fast and seamless. Using AdmitOne gives you the option to self serve or have their team build your event page for you. It provides a straightforward setup that is affordable compared to other major ticketing platforms.
