How the Right Soundtrack Can Elevate Your Brand as Much as Your Food

Open the door to your favorite restaurant or bar, and you know within seconds whether it has that spark. Exceptional food sets the stage, but it’s the room’s vibe — the first impression at the doorway — that keeps guests coming back, and telling their friends. Lighting, décor, and screens set the scene, but one element gives it a pulse: the music.

Music isn’t just background noise — it’s the emotional engine of the room that sets the tone, signals your brand’s personality, and shapes how long guests stick around. A Gant study reported that brand-matched background music lifted average sales by 37 percent. For restaurants and bars, that means guests feel more at ease, linger for the extra appetizer, dessert, or round of drinks, and enjoy the lively vibes at peak times and intimate vibes during slower dayparts.

Creating First Impressions That Turn Guests into RegularsThe opening minutes set the tone of the entire visit. It’s when most guests intuitively make a…