Picking appropriate background music for restaurants is as essential to delivering a good dining experience, as a good track is to effortless dancing. Music tends to play a vital yet unique role in influencing the customer turnover rate as well. As per some researchers, the individual buying decisions at tables are also altered with music. Does that click something in your head already?

Slow music has been shown to increase the individual spending of customers per table. On the other hand, up tempo tends to increase the turnaround rate of customers. Additionally, people tend to take fewer bites every minute, drink slower and the same may tempt them to offer coffee, dessert or a post – dinner cocktail, while listening to music with a down tempo.

Restaurant music should complement as well as accentuate the essence of the cuisine served. Additionally, it must have an enhancing effect on the restaurant’s chosen décor, menu, theme and the stylized personality.

Careful thought needs to be given when music is being tailored for breakfast, lunch or dinner and even for the particular day of the week. If the cuisine served and the interior motif of the restaurant agrees, Fridays are the best to increase the tempo of the music.

This tends to have an increasing effect on a faster turnover. Selection of faster music post dinner also increases the traffic late night. On the other hand, slow music must be featured at Sunday brunches. A good suggestion would be some silky jazz which encourages and allows relaxation, conversation and mingling.

It is a “COMPLEX TASK” indeed!

You must already be getting the feeling that choosing background music for restaurants is a complex process, involving serious thought. This is simply because the right kind of music not only creates and enhances the appropriate atmosphere desired by you, it also helps manage other things.

These include table turnover rates, menu selections as well as regulation of customer age as part of an effort to reach out to the target segment of customers. Faster music tends to drive the older patrons away if kids are the prime demographic of a restaurant. Conversely, other places might target the older lot belonging to the higher income bracket.

Will hiring a professional help?

Creating a music playlist and picking background music for restaurants call for objectivity. The same is usually lacking in owners. The patrons or the employees are no good at the task either. While suggestions of customers might be taken into consideration, hiring a professional is always the safest bet.

The most commonly made mistake, as per experts, is the personal preference of the owner taking the upper hand, compared to what would suit the visitors. They might be pros at crafting the menu or designing the interiors, but music may not be their thing.

To create the perfect playlist, the experts understand the vibe. This is followed by studying the emotions of the guests. Finally, the menu items and the theme are tied to the music, thus completing it.

Music for each part of the day?

How about taking things to the next level with different music to suit each part of the day? We’ve got some advice for you!

• Daytime: Fun light tunes are generally the best, but daytime music can depend on the theme of the restaurant. Music can set the stage and atmosphere for lively conversations during lunch. So, the music needs to be light and fun, to not interfere with the meals or the talks, at the same time.

• Happy Hours: Socializing over snacks and a few drinks are generally the agenda for most individuals during the latter part of the day. Happy hour playlists, comprising of lively instrumental tunes or a hip vibe with indie tunes can zap visitors with guests and boost their energy.

• Dinner: Classic rock or jazz are a suitable pick as background music for restaurants during dinner time. The music needs to be such that it does not entirely take over the aura and the environment, but people connect to it at the same time. It must cater to the customer demographic as well as the image of the restaurant.

• Late night: Louder and upbeat tunes may take place to liven up the scene during late night dinners and happy hours. The customers can be engaged with music and definitely, the bars across the country are a great inspiration.

Soundtracks for different environments too!

That’s the magic of music. You can find something for every atmosphere. Undoubtedly, many restaurants alter the environmental music with that suitable during different times of the day. The important part is being aware of how to switch.

• Family Restaurants: You need to ensure that explicit lyrics are struck off your playlist. The music must be suitable for the audience.

• Fine dining: High quality food must have a good hand in hand with quality music. Low energy music to allow enjoying food and enhance the aura is necessary.

• Bar and Grill: Hip, high energy music to go with the vibe of the bar suits best. The unique scenario and theme of the bar need to be enhanced.

• Lounge: Fun, relaxed music is ideal for the evening spot vibe. It will help define the space and make you go a long way.

A lot more apart from just food and drinks makes up for the ‘complete experience’ restaurant offers. It’s about the customer experience. You need to have the perfect blend of hospitality, menu designing, playlist crafting, promotions and discounts, financial management, customer relationship and outlet management. For most of these aspects, a reliable restaurant software can make things simpler. As for the rest, let your creativity and innovation take over!