Father’s Day might not draw the crowds of Mother’s Day, but it can still be a big day and, with the pandemic winding down, it may well be one of the first big celebrations as the country re-opens.

So, what to do to stand out from the re-opened crowd? First, make it into Father’s Day Weekend. Don’t tie Dad down to one brunchy afternoon. Spread it out over the entire weekend. Plan out food specials, drink deals, and an array of activities to appeal to even the most discerning Dad and keep those seats full all weekend long.

Fire Up the Grill

Dads like meat. OK, that’s actually an old trope that might not apply to every Dad, but you might have extra outside space completed during quarantine. Grilling burgers, sausages, and other meats outside in the midst of diners is a sure fire way to generate excitement and foster community — something we’ve all been missing for a while.

Slow-cooked BBQ could be the perfect cornerstone for a Dad party. Match it all up with all the right sides — slaws, potato salad, perhaps even some fresh, local corn on the cob to make it into a picnic to remember. For the meatless Dads, don’t forget to stock up on beyond meats such as Green Origin® burger patties and whatever fresh veggies are available for grilling.

Mix It Up

Dads enjoy being able to taste all the yummy things, so why not provide them with a way to sample all the different items on your menu? Maybe it’s a 3-for-$30 or a 5-for-$50 — create a list of your tastiest appetizers or pared down versions of your entrees and present them tapas style for the entire family to share.

The nice thing about “pick ‘em” specials is they can run the gamut from homestyle cooking to the most sophisticated farm-to-table dishes. Dads can get just as excited about baskets of poutine fries, onion rings, and sliders as they can anything else. And it’s a great way to showcase what you do best and allow everyone at the table to try it.

Don’t Forget Drinks

Beer cocktails are a thing and sure to catch Dad’s attention. Maybe it’s a Bloody Beer, a spicy take on a Bloody Mary using beer, or a Siracha-Lada, adding lime and hot sauce to a lager. You could even make that IPA less bitter and brunch-friendly by adding a little grapefruit juice, gin, and elderflower liquor for a great morning pick-me-up.

You also can’t go wrong with a few specials on the classics, like an Old Fashioned, or martinis and highballs. They’re easy to elevate with house-made ingredients and flourishes. I like a well-mixed Negroni with a single, massive handcut ice cube.

Entertain Them

As devastating as the pandemic was, it did bring about a number of changes that allowed restaurants to expand outside their normal spaces, and it seems this particular genie is not going back into the bottle. These overflow areas are perfect for a whole array of activities that most restaurants could never hope to provide before.

Yard games like cornhole and horseshoes have cropped up all over and even a few bocce ball courts have appeared in outdoor spaces. With warmer weather and fewer social distancing requirements, using these outdoor spaces to attract families is a great way to increase business. And even when the sun goes down that space can make for a great staging area for a little live music or an open mic night.

There’s a lot of pent-up demand out there and it’s likely this summer is going to be memorable. Offer an array of events, food specials, and just the right drinks for Dad, and this might be the event they remember years from now as the end of our year in quarantine.