Pub marketing that gets bums on seats, not just likes.
Bee Social helps UK pubs drive more footfall, sell more food and drink, and fill quieter sessions using a mix of local visibility, content that actually sounds like your pub, and campaigns built around what you are trying to shift this month.
This is for independent pubs, gastro pubs and bars that want to drive consistent covers and spend, not just the odd busy Saturday.
You might recognise one of these:
- Midweek is quiet and you rely on last-minute walk-ins
- Your events are good, but promotion is hit and miss
- You are losing trade to chains because they show up everywhere online
- You post regularly, but it does not translate into bookings or footfall
- Your website exists, but it is not helping you sell what matters (food, sport, functions, events)
For a more in-depth calculator, see our Pub Marketing Spend Benchmark Builder
Pub Marketing Spend Snapshot
Quick answer for your hub page: roughly what to spend each month, what it should go on, and when to push harder. Want the full breakdown? Link through to the full builder.
Tell us your basics
This is a fast estimate built for pub marketing planning. It is designed to be practical, not perfect.
Annual turnover band
Pick the closest. This keeps the tool quick and clean for a hub page.
Pub model
0 is wet-led. 100 is food-led. This shifts the channel mix.
Primary growth focus
One focus keeps the output simple and action-led.
Competition level
This nudges the recommended percent inside the bracket.
How this snapshot is benchmarked
We anchor ranges using pub-specific P&L style marketing baselines (BBPA running-a-pub guide), then use wider marketing budget context (Gartner) and a general hospitality bracket (Toast) for the growth scenario. This is guidance, not a rule.
Want the proper version with Maintain, Grow, Aggressive plus seasonality and a 90-day plan? Open the full Pub Marketing Spend Benchmark Builder.
Your snapshot
This updates instantly when you run the snapshot.
Run the snapshot to see your range.
You will get a simple recommended monthly spend plus a sensible split.
Suggested channel split
Built for pub marketing basics, so your spend does not disappear into random tactics.
Tip: treat SEO, content, email and reviews as your baseline. Turn ads up and down by season.
Next 30 days
We do not try to “do everything” on day one. We prioritise what normally unlocks the quickest wins.
No vague reports. No filler. Just clear work you can point to.
When we work on your pub’s marketing, you will always be able to see:
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What changed, and where it changed (pages, listings, content, campaigns)
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Why it was prioritised and what it is designed to improve
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Which offers we are pushing first (food, sport, events, functions, seasonal trading)
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What is moving in visibility, clicks, calls, direction requests and enquiries
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What we recommend next, based on what is actually working, not guesswork
We helped The Half Moon at Grendon improve visibility and drive more enquiries by focusing on the basics that actually move the needle for pubs: local intent, clear pages for what people search, and content that gets people through the door.
If you want a clear plan that ties marketing back to revenue, request a free pub marketing audit, and we will send back the highest-impact opportunities first.
How long does pub marketing take to work?
Some wins can show quickly, especially local visibility fixes and better event promotion. Bigger improvements compound over 3 to 6 months when your content, pages, and local presence start working together.
Do we need to be on every platform?
No. Most pubs do best by picking one or two channels and doing them properly. We focus on what your audience uses locally, and what fits your pub’s vibe.
Can you help us show up more in Google Maps?
Yes. Maps visibility is one of the highest-intent sources of footfall for pubs. We improve your profile, your local signals, and the pages that support local searches.
What should we promote if we are “just a pub”?
You are never “just” a pub. We usually build around your strongest hooks: food, sport, events, live music, quizzes, private hire, seasonal menus, and your beer garden or atmosphere.
What budget do we need?
It depends on how competitive your area is and what you want to achieve. If you want momentum fast, combine local SEO foundations with paid campaigns around key sessions or events.
Can you just do the website and leave the rest?
Yes. If your site is holding you back, fixing it first can unlock everything else. Then you can layer on SEO, content, ads, and email when you are ready.
