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Benefits of advertising in pubs & bars

31 October 2025
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When was the last time you sat in a pub and didn’t glance up at a screen? Exactly. Whether it’s chatting with friends over a pint or waiting for your food to arrive, pub and bar screens have a way of drawing our attention. And that’s why they’re such a powerful space for brands to connect with people.

Longer dwell time means more chances to be seen

Pubs and bars aren’t places people rush through - they’re where people relax, chat, and settle in. On average, people spend around 72 minutes in these venues. That’s over an hour of natural exposure time where your message can be seen multiple times without feeling repetitive.

Place-based advertising helps your message travel further

One of the biggest benefits of advertising in pubs and bars is that every impression happens in a social environment. Around 60% of people say eating and drinking out is their main way to socialise, meaning they’re rarely alone in these settings - they’re surrounded by friends, family, or colleagues. They’re talking, laughing, and enjoying the moment. That makes your message more than just something they see - it becomes part of a shared experience.

When a great ad captures attention in that setting, it naturally becomes part of the conversation. A witty visual, a funny video, or an irresistible offer can spark conversation across the table and stick in people’s minds long after they’ve left. In fact, according to the Nielson Survey Chart 2021, 89% of people are more likely to trust recommendations shared through word of mouth than any other form of advertising.

Alight Media’s Dwell network shows that 100% of impressions on the network happen in these social environments.. That means your ad isn’t just being seen - it’s being noticed, discussed, and remembered.

Pub and bar screens make your ads more noticeable

Pub and bar screens give your ads a chance to shine where people are relaxed and actually paying attention. Unlike online channels, there’s far less distraction - no endless scrolling, no pop-ups, just your message in front of a relaxed, social audience.

And the results back it up. Campaigns from our Dwell by Alight network saw a 22% increase in ad recall and a 16% boost in consideration intent, well above industry benchmarks. When people aren’t distracted, they remember what they see - and that’s what makes pub and bar screens so effective.

Digital screens bring your ad to life

The screens in pubs and bars are more than just displays - they’re full motion, HD screens made for storytelling. You can show your product in action, share a short video, or create something visually striking that naturally captures people’s attention.


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Pub screens deliver results for both big and small brands

You don’t need to be a household name to make an impact in pubs and bars. In fact, it’s often local brands that stick in people’s minds the most. Whether you’re launching a new menu, promoting an event, or raising awareness for a service, pub screens let you connect directly with your community.

And for bigger brands, it’s a chance to get personal. Instead of relying on national campaigns, screens let you show up in specific towns, neighbourhoods, or even individual venues - places where people are relaxed, engaged, and actually paying attention.

Advertising in pubs and bars drives real results

This isn’t just about getting noticed - pub and bar advertising actually drives real results.

When people encounter a brand in an environment they trust and enjoy, they’re far more likely to engage. Campaigns on Alight Media’s Dwell network delivered a 22% uplift in sales. With over 3,600 screens across 250+ towns in the UK, reaching 8.8 million people and an average dwell time of 72 minutes, the network is a strong channel for driving real results.

FAQ’s

People spend longer in pubs and bars - on average 72 minutes - and aren’t distracted by endless scrolling, pop-ups, or notifications. This high dwell time in a relaxed social environment means your message is more likely to be noticed, remembered, and even discussed.

Local brands can leave a big impression in pubs and bars. Screens in hospitality settings give you a way to connect directly with people in your community, adding a personal touch that big campaigns often miss.

Even national brands can use pub and bar screens to feel local. These screens let you target specific towns and venues, showing messages that actually resonate with the people in that area. It’s a way to make big brands feel approachable and relevant.

Campaigns on Alight Media’s Dwell network have seen a 22% increase in ad recall and a 26% boost in purchase intent. With fewer distractions than online, your ads are more likely to stick in people’s minds.

Full motion, HD video content tends to perform best. Ads that tell a story, show a product in action, or are visually striking catch attention and are more likely to spark conversation among groups of people.