This Is Why Hospitality Venues Should Host Stranger Things Themed Nights To Gain New Customers!
As Netflix's Stranger Things gears up for its final season, the cultural buzz is already building through viral marketing and brand collabs, and smart hospitality operators are taking notice.
From themed cocktails to immersive watch parties, there’s no better time to tap into one of Netflix’s biggest global phenomena.
Here’s why now is the perfect moment to bring the Upside Down to your venue and boost your footfall in the process!
1. Take Advantage of a Preexisting Fan Base
The Stranger Things fandom is vast, loyal, and multi generational thanks to its use of nostalgic themes. Generations who lived through the 80's and younger generations are being brought together by their love for neon aesthetic, retro soundtrack, and supernatural storylines. By hosting a themed event or viewing party, your venue instantly connects with this built in community, drawing in new customers with a guaranteed interest in your event and offerings.
Think of it as a shortcut to relevance - you’re tapping into something that already has massive cultural currency!
2. Drive Footfall with Themed Experiences
Traditional promotions can only do so much, but themed experiences generate excitement and attract new audiences.
A Stranger Things watch party, for instance, can turn an ordinary evening into a ticketed event:
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Serve themed drinks such as “Eleven’s Eggo Martini” or “Demogorgon Daiquiri.”
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Decorate your space with flickering fairy lights, vintage props, and eerie smoke effects - bonus points if you add scented smoke effects to your drinks using Flavour Blaster Aroma Gun!.
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Encourage costumes or a ‘best dressed’ competition to get guests involved.
By creating a sense of occasion, you give customers a reason to choose your venue over watching the show at home - it’s entertainment with added atmosphere!
3. Boost Sales and Social Engagement
Themed events aren't just about increased footfall, they drive sales by increasing sales of regular menu items by rebranding them to fit your theme! Suddenly your regular hotdog is becoming a Stranger Things themed hotdog, and your typically boring mocktails are now your bestseller thanks to the nostalgic presentation and introduction of a themed name!
Not only will a themed night increase sales of your menu offerings, when guests are snapping photos of your Stranger Things inspired cocktails or sharing reels of your spooky setup, they’re doing your marketing for you! Every tag, share and repost will broadcast your venue to the online world, reaching far wider audiences than you could achieve with your own marketing!
Why not create an event hashtag, create an 80s themed playlist, or run a competition for the best photo tagged at your venue? With the right aesthetic and social buzz, you can turn one event into weeks of organic promotion!
4. Embrace Nostalgia and Pop Culture Appeal
In uncertain times, nostalgia sells. The Stranger Things universe offers the perfect mix of retro comfort and fantasy escapism - a theme that resonates deeply with today’s audiences.
By embracing the trend, your venue shows it’s in tune with cultural moments and customer interests. Whether it’s through themed menus, decor, or even trivia nights, aligning with pop culture helps your brand feel current, playful, and approachable.
5. Create Repeatable Seasonal Events
One of the best parts of a themed activation is its flexibility. You could launch a major Stranger Things watch party for the final season premiere, then follow up with smaller spin off nights e.g. quiz nights, karaoke sessions, or even “Upside Down Fridays” with lighting and music inspired by the show.
This creates a series of touchpoints for customers to keep coming back, boosting repeat visits and building community around your venue.
In Summary
Jumping on the Stranger Things trend isn’t just about being trendy, it’s about creating experiences that drive engagement, loyalty, and revenue.
The show’s combination of 80s nostalgia, supernatural suspense, and cult like fan energy offers endless creative opportunities for bars, restaurants, and hotels alike. Whether it’s themed cocktails, retro playlists, or immersive décor, leaning into the hype could be just the thing to pull your business out of the Upside Down and into the spotlight!
Need some Stranger Things Event Ideas? Get yours here!
Struggling with drink name ideas for your Stranger Things Themed Menu? Get recipes and inspiration here!
