The B.Y.O.C. bar in London, England, doesn't provide any alcohol. Instead, it asks that patrons brink in their own booze. What the bar will do for you is provide a mixing service complete with mixers, a bartender and a trolley. The bartender comes around and uses your drink of choice to mix cocktails.
B.Y.O.C. was forced to work with this business model because the quaint cocktail bar simply doesn't have an alcohol license. As a result, they are not allowed to sell any alcohol to customers.
Since the bulk of the cocktail's value is provided by you, every cocktail mixed is free. Instead, patrons pay an upfront fee of 20 quid before entering to cover the mixers and service.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Alcohol-free Bars
- Providing fully functioning mixing services to customers without providing alcohol themselves creates an opportunity to accommodate sober people and those who choose not to drink.
- Bring-your-own-consumables Bars
- Business models that offer customers the opportunity to bring their own items, such as alcohol, encourage creativity and consumer participation and reduce the business's overhead costs.
- Experience Over Alcohol
- Focusing on providing experiences rather than products, alcohol-free bars create a unique selling point that caters to a particular demographic seeking new experiences.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Hospitality
- In an industry where alcohol consumption is ubiquitous, an alcohol-free bar creates a new niche, expanding hospitality for drinkers and non-drinkers alike.
- Retail
- Partnering with alcohol stores to provide alcohol to patrons is an opportunity for retail stores to increase their sales while providing a unique experience.
- Entertainment
- Focusing on providing experiences through unique concepts such as B.Y.O.C. bars creates new entertainment opportunities in the industry.
