TVs in Taproom

I am all for a couple behind the bar, i don't think someone would avoid going there because it does have them if you are the only one in 20-30 miles. That being said I do think people would not come if you don't have them if there is a game on or even something like the debate.
And just my thoughts but people have been saying you can play movies when no such event is happening, but there is nothing I hate worse then getting into a movie late and or getting into one with no sound. Even if its a movie I have seen before it bugs the hell out of me.
Furthermore back to thinking of it as a business decision, TVs aren't free and while they are getting cheaper they can still be a lot depending on how many you want to slap in there. Then every TV needs a cable box (around $15-20 a month here from timewarner) and your cable package will likely have to include all the sports channels, not sure what it would all cost but that's money every month your spending that you don't want to on things your customers may not even enjoy or you may just have turned off most of the time.

If it were me, considering there will be food (encouraging customers to stay longer) I would have a couple or one big one behind the bar and another off in a corner. Also get Serious satellite radio for the occasions they are off and the place isn't poppin.

 

I don't mind TV's in taprooms, bars, etc. Most of the time they're just playing sports. Even if you're not interested in sports it gives you something to look at if you don't feel like talking to other people and it keeps people from just staring at each other. It also helps keep conversations from carrying with the added ambient noise. It's a pretty sure-fire way to drum up some business if you show fights. People are always looking for less crowded places to watch a fight and having good beer is a major plus.

I'm still waiting for a bar that will play something else...like sci-fi reruns, the walking dead, or game of thrones. Maybe it's just too small of a niche or something...

 

I like a few tvs, especially during this time of year. Soccer, football, and hockey are all going right now, and I like watching the games. A lot of others do too. You don't have to have the volume turned on. Silent tvs aren't really a distraction.

That's not to say you should plaster the place with tvs like Buffalo Wild Wings. One or two behind the bar, and maybe another somewhere else depending on the size of the establishment.

 

I'd stay consistent with what your heart wants, and leave the option for getting one down the line open but also with the idea of remaining consistent to what your heart wants. It sounds like with what you describe. You really don't want a screen getting in the way of what the function you have in mind with your taproom is.

 

look i love my TV, i play console videogames and watch alot of football/hockey/soccer along with a few TV shows i follow. otherwise i don't sit in front of my TV watching bs.

if you want an atmosphere that is more about the human experience and people-interactions then a TV is a no. i think people converse more when there isn't a TV to distract them.

BUT i do love watching my college football so i'll either stay home or watch it somewhere that the atmosphere accents it, such as a "sports bar", college fan bar, etc. it all depends on the customer you are trying to draw. do you want a place where people go for the game?

 

I travel a lot for work, and have been fortunate enough to visit some of the country's best craft and Belgian beer bars. Most of them have either 1+ macro handles and/or limited macro cans or bottles available at all times. They go virtually unnoticed, but interestingly they still remain a top seller at these craft/Belgian "only" bars. If you want to keep the lights on it probably isn't a terrible idea to follow suit. I doubt many of us craft loyalists would fault you. As far as TVs are concerned, I don't have an overwhelming opinion either way. However, I admit that I do occasionally choose my drinking habitat based on whether I will be able to watch a specific game. On the flip side, my wife would only be interested in going to your taproom if you did not have TVs. Different strokes.

 

From my experience this is what I've gathered. Generally speaking, customers won't walk out because there is a tv, but they will walk out if there isn't.

We have three tv's, always muted unless a local team is playing and the customers want to listen.

 

I vote no.

 

I find TVs distracting. Put them in the trash.

 

I also wouldnt worry about the BMC drinkers. I had a similar idea and somebody told me "no miller lite, youll go out of business" well then. Lol. Not everyone is so closed minded. there's a beer out there for everyone, and in my experience i wouldn't want to be around those hard heads anyway preAching how craft is bad all that negativity . 20 taps, two casks, a cooler? Theres sure to be something for everyone with a knowledgeable staff to lead people into a direction or another. Customers will seek you out. Lose a few? Ok. Theres 8 billion people on this earth

Ex, my gf hates most beer besides anything miller makes, MGD, lite, high life, but i know she likes sweets and bananas things like that. She tries Hefeweizens i buy as stubborn as she is. Something for everyone


Im sure i dont have to say anything though just my 2 cents.

Good luck on it.

 

TVs! They don't have to be 70inch monsters but it nice to have something. I generally find myself at my local brewery tap room solo. It's right next to the hardware store in town. So going to get grass seed and a pint is a usual Sat activity. 30 minute round trip grab seed and a pint. Home before the wife even notices.

 

I love the term 'soft opening'

Also- TVs are good.

 

I was an ass last night and gave my wife hell about being addicted to words w/friends, emails in general, and having her head tucked down looking at the electronic genie. God bless you if you can create a place that needs no superfluous stimulation. We are changing as a creature by the day.

 

I'm game as long as you only play the Qatsi films.

 

I've found presence of TV's to actually be a pretty good indicator of whether or not I enjoy a particular bar. In general I strongly prefer bars without TV's. Then again, I don't watch sports. If I'm going somewhere, I want to pay attention to the people I'm with and the conversations we're having.

EDIT: I love it when bars have TV's playing something obscure on mute (nature documentary, Spongebob or a Quentin Tarantino movie for example), with good music playing over it.

 

This is the answer. You can't satisfy everyone, just pick what is best for your establishment.

Personally, I don't care whether or not there are TVs as long the sound is muted, because TV noise kills conversations.

Reminds me of something.... I used to go to a small bar that had a small TV, and when there wasn't a major game on the bartender would often play videos of either alpine downhill skiing montages or classic Muhammad Ali boxing matches with some nice ambient music. It was a surprisingly cool vibe and I never felt like the TV distracted from conversation with friends. I also learned to appreciate that Ali was an amazing boxer, and I don't even like boxing or watching any sports for that matter, but Ali in his prime was like watching an artist.

 

This is true. I've been in groups that have left places because we specifically wanted to watch a game together and weren't able to. Never have seen a people walk in a bar/brewpub and proclaim "This place has TVs, let's get out of here!" In general, I like the approach that I have seen at several places where they only play the local teams' games (usually muted) and turn the TV(s) off when they're not playing. I don't care for the local teams here so it makes no difference to me but most of my friends do. Also, I think it's kind of fun that places will play cult movies with no sound just for background. I don't agree with the sentiment that people cannot be social with a TV or several around. In fact, I know it's 100% false.

As far as not carrying BMC, that's definitely your choice. It would be a much tougher one maybe 5 years ago, but I think you can definitely pull it off today. I could see maybe carrying bottles only, but if you want to be strong and not carry them in any format, I say go for it. Being that far away from a major city in PA seems like a place where AALs would be king by a long shot, but I can't say I'm too familiar with the area.

 

This.
If you have a particular vibe you want, which it sounds like you do. I'd be very careful with your programming of what's on the telly.

One of my favorite spots while in Portland, Oregon was Tugboat. There were rows upon rows of books, and tons of board games just like a well appointed coffee shop that invited you in to do some serious work in killing time, and shooting the bull with friends. There was one tv over the bar (from what I remember) and all it had on the screen was a nature video. The tv was not the focus, but it was there, and kept the mood calm like a lava lamp, so I'd be very conscious of your programming choices and what is allowed to be shown on it.

 

I vote no, televisions are distracting.