Ah, the unassuming bar and restaurant chalkboard. No one expects it to be the source of information, artistry AND laughter, not to mention the subject of viral internet sharing. If you run a bar, restaurant or really any business, you know that the chalkboard can do more than just display daily specials. It can be the hook that gets new patrons to step off the sidewalk and under your roof.
Whether you’re looking to make a cheeky joke or entice someone to order the latest seasonal draft, here is some of our favorite chalkboard inspiration for bars and restaurants.
Funny, Clever and Artistic Chalkboard Signs
This was captured outside a wine-tasting bar in Napa. If you're looking for more inspiration to drink the world's oldest beverage, this might be it:
Here's an example where pop culture and straight-forward advertising go hand in hand:
Nobody wants to eat a bad sandwich, but Joe Dough in NYC definitely raised some eyebrows when they challenged customers to call out that one bad Yelp review in this now-classic chalkboard display:
Even though they are no longer around, the once-iconic Not A Burger Stand in Burbank, CA would give specials to anyone who'd order in the voice (or guise) of a famous character. Here are a few of our favorites:
It doesn't always have to be cheeky jokes or not-so-subtle ploys to get patrons inside. Sometimes all you need is a fine looking board to let your customers know what they're getting, like this gorgeous raspberry spread from Alana McCarthy:
And of course we have to end with another classic that went viral all those years ago. It's crude, it's simple but it seals the deal at grabbing people's attention and making them laugh:
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