If you want VIPs to pull up to your spot, you’ve got to give them a reason. Once? Twice? No! Over and over. But this isn’t about chasing trends or copying what next door is doing.
You have to know your lane. What makes your business different? Every detail, from first impression to the moment guests walk out of your door, should reflect your brand, your story, and your standard.
Everything matters because VIPs notice when things are off. Your playlist, your lighting, and even whether your commercial fridge keeps the drinks ice-cold and the ingredients fresh.
Sounds overwhelming? We’ve got all the tips ready for you!
1. Make Your Brand Impossible to Ignore
Your brand is more than a logo; it’s the energy people feel before they even step through the door.
So, ask yourself: What’s your spot known for?
Is it the vibe? The plating? The playlist? The storytelling? If you can’t point that out, it’s time for a change.
Think of how Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole built a full-on movement. The name grabs attention. The visuals pop. From their menu names (e.g., “One Night Stand,” “Fussy Hussy”) to their food truck rollouts, everything tells a consistent, unapologetic story.
That’s the goal. Know your story. Own your aesthetic. Be consistent, from your menu design to your Instagram grid. If you’re in the food service industry, here’s a look at the restaurant concepts that are turning heads right now.
Pro Tip: Use clean shots, sharp design, and imagery that reflects your vibe to draw the right crowd. When your brand looks like it knows exactly who it is, folks notice. They don’t just show up; they bring their people.
2. Deliver a VIP Experience Every Time
VIPs don’t always roll in with a spotlight. That’s why every guest needs to feel like they matter.
Take Bomb Biscuits in Atlanta. Chef Erika Council earned national recognition not only for the food but also for the consistent, thoughtful experience. Clean space. Warm welcome. No detail skipped.
It doesn’t take glam. It takes care.
- Train staff to lead with warmth and calm.
- Remember regulars. Use names. Make it personal.
- Keep the basics tight: lighting, music, restrooms, and service flow.
- Stay ready, every time (even when it’s quiet!).
Nail the experience, and the VIP customers will keep coming.
3. Let Influencers Work for You
High-profile guests pay attention to where the buzz is, and influencers help create that hype. But skip the big-name celebrities with fake engagement. Focus on local voices with real reach in your city, such as food bloggers, lifestyle creators, and respected culture shifters.
Invite them to exclusive experiences that they’ll want to share (no hard sell), such as private tours, special tasting events, or a soft launch with first access vibes. That organic content and exclusivity signal to VIP guests that your spot is hot, trusted, and worth a visit.
Trap Kitchen grew its loyal customers through this kind of real love, not paid ads. People with influence showed up, posted, and the right people followed.
4. Network Like a Pro Behind the Scenes
Influencers bring attention. But access? That comes from insiders.
If you want to attract VIP guests, cultivate quiet relationships with publicists, artist managers, executive or personal assistants, and event planners. They’re the folks booking last-minute changes and tables or scouting the perfect vibe for a VIP’s night out. When they trust you, your name starts showing up in the right texts.
Host a closed-door session for them. Or send a personalised invite when there’s something special on the menu. Through this, you can build exposure and trust, and you’ll become the go-to for VIP customers.
5. Make Your Online Presence Match Your Energy
Before VIPs walk in, they check you out online, or someone checks your digital vibe for them. And if it’s off, they won’t book.
That means your Instagram, website, and Google listing all need to be tight. Clean visuals. Updated hours. Clickable links. Smooth booking flow. No excuses.
Look at Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley. Its online presence? Just like its dining experience: bold, polished, and photo-ready. You catch the vibe instantly. The colours hit, the energy’s real, and you already know what kind of experience you’re about to step into.
That’s what VIPs want: confidence before they commit. That means:
- Post crisp, professional shots
- Keep your link in bio updated
- Make it easy to book, call, or share
Let your digital front door speak for you, and speak well.
6. Host What They Can’t Get Anywhere Else
In the hospitality industry, VIP guests are always looking for an experience worth spending money on. That might mean a custom-tasting menu, but it could also include spa treatments, concierge services, or private jet arrangements through business partners. The goal? Make your business feel like a full escape, not just a stop.
Not to mention, extended stays with additional services: personal chefs, massage therapy, and access to exclusive events. Curate it.
One example is The Ivy Hotel in Baltimore, where five-star service and fine dining meet historic elegance. It’s culture wrapped in luxury, with charm you can feel in every room. From the grand architecture to the quiet, personalized care, it strikes that rare balance: intimate, but unforgettable.
When you create something they can’t get anywhere else, high-profile guests notice. They stay longer. Spend more. And tell the right people.
7. Stay Ready for the Big Moment
In this business, the big moment rarely comes with a heads-up.
A celebrity books under another name. A journalist walks in solo. A high-level guest’s team scouts your spot hours before arrival. If you’re not ready, you miss it.
So don’t scramble. Stay ready.
Train your team to deliver even when the room is quiet. Keep your space and press kit tight, and have your high-resolution photos ready. Build systems that don’t rely on you being in the room.
Because reputation? It moves fast. And in VIP circles, word travels faster than you think.
If your service is consistent, your space is always photo-ready, and your story’s locked in? You won’t have to chase the moment. It’ll find you.
Be the Spot That’s Worth Talking About
Attracting VIPs? It starts with how you treat everybody who walks through your doors. You’ve got to build a space that feels intentional, where the vibe speaks even without a word.
In a market full of copy-paste concepts, your story has to come through loud and proud. From a restaurant to a boutique hotel and private lounge (especially when you’re in scaling mode), having the right energy leads to longer stays, higher spend, and real loyalty.
After all, when guests feel seen and valued, they remember. And they tell folks.
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