How to Find Grand Openings of Bars and Restaurants Near You

If you love good food and drink, there’s nothing more thrilling than finding out about a brilliant new watering hole or eatery that’s opening up in your area.

If you want to be one of the first through the doors of the latest and greatest establishments, you need to keep your ear to the ground. Here are a few ways to do that efficiently.

Find Grand Openings of Bars and Restaurants in Your Area with Local Media Outlets

If you're looking for grand openings of bars and restaurants near you, then local media outlets are the perfect place to start.

You can search physical newspapers if they’re still available, or browse websites dedicated to covering local news in your town. These sources will often highlight upcoming restaurant and bar launches with detailed information about what's on offer at each location. If you’re traveling for new food and drink experiences, the same rule applies.

Additionally, local radio stations may also provide updates about when new venues open nearby. By staying informed through these resources, it won't be long before you've tracked down a great spot for drinks or dinner.

Tap into Social Media to Uncover the Latest Grand Opening Events Near You

Social media can also be a great way to stay on top of grand openings for bars and restaurants that are just a stone’s throw away.

Many venues use platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to announce their upcoming launch events and give details about the food and drink they offer. Follow your favorite local spots on social media and also keep up to speed via relevant influencers so that you don’t miss out when new places open up nearby.

It’s also worth mentioning that many businesses will even post special discounts or offers exclusively for those who follow them online, which is an added bonus.

Research Online Listings for Upcoming Restaurant and Bar Openings

Online listings are another surefire option for finding out about upcoming grand openings for bars and restaurants in close proximity to where you live.

Sites such as openings24.com are ideal if you want to discover new store openings in the U.S., and they usually feature information on new venues, including when their opening dates are scheduled.

Many cities also have dedicated websites where businesses can list events and promotions, so be sure to check out these sources too. With a bit of research online, it won't take long before you've tracked down a fresh venue to eat, drink and be merry.

Join Mailing Lists to Receive Notifications of New Restaurant Launches

If you’re on a mailing list, many venues will send out notifications when they open their doors, putting you ahead of the pack in terms of getting an early booking. Signing up for emails or newsletters can be a huge help to discovering new openings, especially if you’ve got a particular chain, independent franchise or specific world-class beer on your bucket list.

As with social media, some businesses may even give money off to mailing list subscribers, so it's definitely worth taking advantage of them.

Attend Community Events Where Restaurateurs Promote Their Grand Openings

Finally, attending community events can be a great way to get the lowdown on any bars and restaurants that are set to launch locally.

Many towns and cities have regular gatherings where restaurateurs showcase their new venues, so keep an eye out for these in your area.

Exhibitors at these events may even offer free samples or special promotions that aren't available anywhere else. These events let you sample their wares before you commit to actually paying for the food and drink they offer.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there’s no excuse for missing out on bar and restaurant grand openings. Who knows, if you follow these tips you might even discover your new favorite restaurant!