Building Community in Your Taproom Through Weekly Programming

Creating reasons for people to visit outside of traditional drinking occasions helps shift your brewery’s taproom from being just a stop for a pint to becoming a genuine third space — a spot where people gather, participate, and feel part of something.

Diverse programming in your taproom can invite different types of drinkers and activity-seekers, broadening your reach and deepening community ties. If your brewery can build weekly rituals you may often see stronger loyalty, more predictable foot traffic, along with steadier revenue across the week.

Here are some ideas shared to Brewer from breweries across the country.

Bingo: Low-Effort, High-Return Engagement

For many breweries, bingo remains one of the most reliable and versatile weekly events. At Low Tide Brewing, Monday Night Bingo has become a staple, partly because it pays homage to the building’s past as a bingo hall.

“This event remains a crowd favorite, bringing in families and friend groups, even during slower months,” Taproom Operations Manager Allison Havens said. She added that their dedicated emcee keeps guests returning week after week.

Thirsty Buffalo Brewing has found similar success with its “YAY FUN BINGO,” an event that blends entertainment with purpose. Owner Erin Bishop said the format fosters a family-friendly atmosphere without losing appeal for adult guests.

“Events like this give us the opportunity to engage with the community on a deeper level,” she said.

The brewery often ties bingo nights to charity support and outreach, creating what Bishop describes as “experiences that are not only fun and welcoming, but also meaningful.”

At No Label Brewing, midweek charity bingo adds another dimension. Vice President of Marketing Tom Paynter said the format works because it balances enjoyment with impact.

“It’s a low-effort, high-enjoyment evening that keeps people engaged and gives back at the same time,” he said.

Trivia: An Anchor Event That Builds Routine

Trivia continues to be one of the strongest midweek draws across taprooms of all sizes. Low Tide, Pikes Peak, Goat Patch, and Roosters all rely on weekly trivia as a consistent traffic driver.

Havens called Wednesday Trivia at Low Tide “one of our most consistent weekly events,” appealing to both locals and tourists.

At Pikes Peak, Trivia Tuesday is part of a broader weekly rhythm.

“People like routine and look forward to weekly events that are expected,” Taproom Director Michelle Bruening said.

Goat Patch sees trivia as a foundational event while it explores new programming options, and Roosters in Ogden, Utah also anchors Tuesdays around trivia to give regulars something predictable to plan their week around.

Tournaments and Seasonal Play: Cornhole, Darts, and More

Low Tide uses seasonal transitions to create variety without losing consistency. Their Tuesday Cornhole Tournament runs March through December before giving way to an indoor Dart Tournaments during the winter months. Havens noted that a single emcee across these events creates continuity and keeps participation strong.

Breweries like Goat Patch are exploring similar interactive formats, from Music Video Bingo to sports-centered gatherings, as they continue shaping their taproom identity.

Member Perks and Routine-Based Programming

Pikes Peak has found success with simple, predictable weekly offerings.

“Member Mondays, Trivia Tuesdays, Food Truck Sundays,” Bruening said.

By giving each day a clear purpose, the taproom builds habits that keep people returning throughout the week.

Weekend Energy: Music, Markets, and Family Programming

No Label Brewing shifts its strategy for the weekend crowd. Paynter said Fridays and Saturdays focus on “energy: markets, live music, food trucks, limited beer releases.”

Sundays lean heavily family-focused, offering petting zoos and bounce houses to ensure the taproom feels welcoming for all ages. Roosters takes a similar approach with Thursday night live music, giving guests a dependable start to their weekend routine.

Here’s a checklist of the events listed above along with tips to run:

Bingo (from Low Tide, Thirsty Buffalo, Roosters, No Label)

• Establish a consistent weekly day
• Use a charismatic host/emcee to keep energy high
• Offer desirable prizes (beer, merch, gift cards)
• Consider a “family-friendly” angle
• Develop themed or charity-focused editions
• Promote as a low-effort, high-fun weeknight draw
• For Thirsty Buffalo style: only clear cards after an adult win to keep kids engaged
• Pair with community give-back programs (raffles, round-ups, charitable partnerships)

Trivia (from Low Tide, Pikes Peak, Goat Patch, Roosters)

• Set the same night weekly so guests build routine
• Use a dependable, entertaining host
• Market it as a locals-and-tourists-friendly event
• Offer small but consistent prizes
• Keep timing tight (no long lulls between rounds)
• Promote as a midweek anchor event for repeat foot traffic

Cornhole / Darts (from Low Tide)

• Seasonal shift: cornhole outdoors March–December; darts indoors January–February
• Structured tournament format
• Encourage team signups to build community
• Offer a leaderboard/championship structure
• Maintain smooth transitions between seasons

Member Mondays (from Pikes Peak)

• Provide perks for Mug Club/loyalty members
• Use this day to drive early-week traffic
• Push renewals and sign-ups on site

Food Truck Sundays (from Pikes Peak)

• Rotate trucks to keep offerings fresh
• Promote menus ahead of time
• Use Sundays as a family-friendly food-driven day

Live Music (from Roosters, No Label)

• Build a weekly rhythm (Thursdays) OR weekend energy (Fri/Sat)
• Book consistent talent to build following
• Pair with food trucks, markets, or releases

Markets, Limited Releases, & High-Energy Weekends (from No Label)

• Schedule Friday/Saturday for entertainment-forward programming
• Use these days to showcase new or limited beers
• Add vendors, makers, or food partners for festival atmosphere

Family-Focused Sundays (from No Label)

• Activities like petting zoos, bounce houses
• Market heavily toward families
• Ensure safe, controlled spaces for kids and parents

Concept Exploration Events (from Goat Patch)

• Test new ideas: Music Video Bingo, sports gatherings
• Gauge demand before committing weekly
• Use new events to define identity for young taprooms