If we’re being honest, it’s a tough time to be a pub or bar owner. With rising costs, changing customer expectations, and ongoing staffing challenges, it’s never been more important for local pubs to market smartly and cost-effectively.
That’s why the experts at Brew – with their years of hospitality marketing experience – have pulled together proven marketing tips for local pubs in 2025.
These aren’t vague suggestions. They’re real actions you can take today to boost footfall, improve visibility, and get people talking (and visiting) about your pub.
Short on time, but still want the best local pub marketing tips? Grab your copy of our latest Pints & Pubs Bar Report – filled with the latest trends, customer behaviour stats, and actionable insights.
Otherwise, grab yourself a piping hot brew and let’s get into it.
1. SEO: Optimise your Google Business Profile weekly.
Expert: Sophie, SEO Specialist & Client Service Lead
In 2025, local SEO is driven by freshness, trust, and relevance. Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing a customer sees when searching for a pub near them. Keeping this profile updated weekly with fresh content (e.g. a new beer on tap, quiz night photos, or last-minute table availability) can drastically improve visibility.
According to a recent BrightLocal report, 68% of UK consumers say they’re more likely to visit a business if its Google listing is updated regularly (Source).
Actions you can take for your business:
- Post a photo or update weekly: No need for long text, just keep it fresh.
- Upload portrait images: They now perform better in maps and mobile results.
- Add your seasonal hours (especially around bank holidays).
- Use QR codes on table cards to drive more customer reviews.
For a deeper dive into the importance of local SEO, read our blog on mastering local SEO for hospitality.
2. Paid social: Boost organic posts about events 3-4 days before they happen.
Expert: Maxine, Paid Social Lead
Pubs often struggle with return on ad spend (ROAS), but it doesn’t have to be that way! Here’s what works in 2025:
Instead of designing complex campaigns with new ads from scratch, take one of your best-performing organic posts and simply boost it with £30-£40. Focus the spend 5-7 days ahead of the event, which gives Facebook and Instagram’s algorithm time to build engagement.
More paid social tips to remember:
- Target locally (within a 5-mile radius).
- Include interests like “Pubs,” “Live Music,” or “Craft Beer.”
- Always include a “Book Now” or “Get Directions” button to help turn interest into footfall.
In 2025, boosted posts tied to real, local events perform better than generic ads – because they feel natural, not salesy.
3. Social media: Turn your staff and customers into your best content creators.
Expert: Julie, Social Media Manager
In 2025, authenticity wins. Your staff pulling pints or regulars enjoying Sunday roasts creates more relatable content than slick, polished ads.
Here are a few ideas for increasing your social media presence:
- Give your team a 10-minute weekly "social shift": All they need is a phone and some basic prompts.
- Offer incentives for customers to tag your pub: E.g., a weekly raffle for a free drink.
- Repost their content with a thank-you note: This builds community and keeps your content coming with minimal effort on your part – and isn’t that the dream?
Want more pub marketing tips? Sign up for our LinkedIn weekly social newsletter and they’ll come straight to your email inbox.
4. Marketing Strategy: Plan 6-week micro-campaigns.
Expert: Matt, Director
Annual marketing calendars are out – nimble 6-week campaigns are in. With reduced budgets across the UK hospitality sector, smaller, more focused campaigns are proving most effective.
Pubs running short campaigns around events (like sports or seasonal changes) see an average 18% increase in midweek bookings. (Source: UK Hospitality Association’s 2024 Operational Benchmark Report)
Here’s how you make it work for your pub:
- Start with a theme: "Summer Garden Launch" or "Six Nations Specials" – set 1-2 clear goals and pick 3-4 supporting actions, such as:
- Run geo-targeted ads
- Email your subscribers
- Display table talkers promoting offers
- Collaborate with a local band or food truck
The goal is to create a mini campaign that’s easy to manage, track, and improve!
Need help planning? Contact us — we’d love to help, and it’s what we do best.
5. Content Marketing: Start a simple "Pub Diary" blog on your website.
Expert: Ryan, Lead Content Specialist
Fresh, relevant local content massively helps SEO in 2025. Regular content builds trust with search engines and potential punters alike. A “Pub Diary” blog doesn’t have to be complicated — think of it as your pub’s mini magazine.
Every two weeks, post 250-300 words about:
- Upcoming bands performing at your pub (or in the area)
- Landlord’s beer recommendations
- Best local walks that end at your pub
Use plenty of internal links (menus, booking page, etc.) and include images. Each post gives your pub more Google-friendly content while showcasing its personality.
No pub website yet? See the next section…
6. Pub website: Bring your pub into the digital age
Expert: Adam, Technical Director
Many pubs are still relying on outdated or hard-to-update websites, and that’s if they have a website at all. In 2025, having a clean, fast, and mobile-friendly site is non-negotiable. Customers expect to see your menu, make a booking, or find your opening times in seconds.
Brew offers affordable, brilliant, bespoke websites and email marketing for pubs – no tech skills needed…
Go on, it wouldn’t hurt to take a look 👉 You could have a new website for £50 a month.
7. Branding: Create a signature "Instagrammable" moment inside the pub.
Expert: Jim, Designer
Whether it’s a neon quote wall ("Pints and Good Times") or a quirky signature dish ("Giant Yorkshire Pudding Wraps"), pubs need something highly shareable.
Invest £200-£500 in creating one "focal point" that guests naturally want to photograph and post. Make sure your pub’s social media handle is physically printed nearby (use a QR code), so punters know who to tag in posts.
It’s low-cost branding that spreads organically, paying for itself over time with reach and awareness through user-generated content (UGC).
What’s next for your local pub marketing?
We know you didn’t open a pub to spend hours on Facebook or SEO. But a few focused, smart marketing moves can be the difference between an empty Monday night and a buzzing midweek crowd.
Our team at Brew has worked with hundreds of hospitality brands – and we know what works. You just need to decide if you want it to work for you.
And don’t forget to check out the Pints & Pubs Bar Report – packed with fresh insights from the UK hospitality scene in 2025.
Matt Bowell
Matt has been in marketing for 25 years, clocking up many years for institutions like the NHS, the BBC, Comic Relief, Goodyear Dunlop, and Lonely Planet in the UK and abroad. Matt leads the client service team as one of Brew’s directors.
