TVs in Taproom

My favorite taproom, Max's in Baltimore has multiple TV's behind the bar with the sound off. They up high so not distracting when you're talking to anyone and easy to ignore if you choose.

Sometimes on the weekend it's nice to see multiple Baseball games, world cup soccer and other events if you want, if not just keep your eyes down. See the webcam on their website for what I'm talking bout Willis.

 

Ok I am considering a move to Asheville:

Coffee shops: check
Breweries: check
Soccer on tv: check

I am missing anything? lol

 

Yes.

Fresh mountain air: check
Great hiking/biking trails near by: check
Four seasons of the year (but none of them extreme): check

 

I love watching sports but am irritated by the distraction of a TV in a public place. The worst are news channels, my vision of hell is being stuck in Newark underneath a TV blaring CNN.

 

I would put a tv or two.

 

I am an advocate of bar/restaurant TVs only being on things that don't need volume.
Sports. Poker. Jeopardy. Planet Earth / nature documentary. old cartoons. even iTunes visualizer synced with music.
but shitty crime dramas, sports center (or any post/pre game show), Duck Dynasty, etc. is ridiculous.
news is the one gray area. if there's an indelible force of nature coming through, or a public safety concern, sure. otherwise leave it off.

 

I prefer bars without TVs. Although, about a month ago I was at the Scurvy Dog where they were playing Hellraiser 2 on one of their TVs and Kindergarten Cop on the other. It was an unreal experience and one I will never forget. It was all happening whilst I had multiple pints of Jack's Abby brews.

But back to the question. TVs will be increase the likelihood of some people coming to your bar and staying at it. They will also decrease the likelihood of others coming to your bar and staying at it. The question is whether the area and population around your bar, or likely to travel to your bar is more in the first category or the second. If you're just trying to build a bar that is a reflection of your values (kind of, if I build it, they will come approach), then just go with your gut, nix the TVs and move forward.

If you've got a small space, then I'd say you have one flat screen up above the bar somewhere. However, don't always turn it on. If there's something specific people are interested in, then put it on. If there's no requests, leave it off. People's eyes are drawn to TVs regardless of what's on. I am not a fan of TV much at all. I don't even have cable at my house. However, if there's a TV on in a bar, I will strategically place my view away from the TV, because it will draw my attention nonetheless (and therefore draw my attention away from whomever I'm with, which is far more important than what is on TV, or, if I'm there solo, it'll draw my attention away from my thoughts and personal peace and quiet, both of which I prefer to what's on TV, save for when the Giants are on, which trumps all. But I've got to watch them at home, that way I don't get arrested if I decide to chuck something at the screen when Eli throws a pick-six, but I digress).

 

You'll have a hard time finding directors/movies that everyone likes. In fact, it's not possible. 90% of movies worth watching are rated R, especially cult movies, which work well silent in bars. Kung Fu movies are good in that format, too, since they're mostly action. You have to be 21 to drink...I hope someone that age or older can handle some violence or bare skin every once in a while. I could see not wanting to have movies that are too gory since you'll have food, but that's about it.

OP, as mentioned, you can always turn off the TV but you can't turn something that doesn't exist on. Good luck!

 

One of the greatest beer drinkers on the planet lives there: check!

 

Right, but the main points seem to be content and volume, especially in a small space. Keep it clean, keep it quiet, and me personally, I wouldn't even turn them on until someone asks.
And remember, all those sporting events will be running ads for beer you don't serve...continuously.

 

I can't stand TVs at any bars, restaurants or taprooms unless they are playing a specific game or movie. To have it on with ESPN or CNN or whatever is not why I came out, I can drink at home and watch that crap.

 

I remember the first place I went that didn't have a TV in the taproom was the old Thompson Street Brewery in NYC. It was great, people talked and interacted. That came to an end when they put a screen in. A local Brewpub had no TV, then a TV for special events and that was great. Now it's on all the time and people (including me) stare at it.

 

There is a nice feel to a bar without a tv.

 

T.V. is one of the biggest wastes of time there is.

 

i'd say on a basic level no, but if college football or any sport is particularly huge where you live might be a good idea to roll it out during the given season, better without but in certain circumstances understandable

 

I am still on a mission here in Melbourne, Florida to find an awesome craft brew bar that carries the NFL ticket. I don't need sound, but I love to watch the Colts while enjoying some good brews!

 

Up your sales brotha.. NFL, College Football, MLB playoffs, and the NBA coming up- get some tv screens up!!

 

I would say you should have TV's but no volume.

 

This isn't a simple question to ask. What is your brand? What type of establishment do you want to be known as? Who is your target clientele? How large is your space? What businesses are in direct competition with you? Does the local community have a large interest in sports?

Gotta think outside the hyper craft beer nerds that we are. Because yes, we all love and enjoy places without TV's, but there is a huge demographic that enjoys watching a game and enjoying a craft beer.