Blue Monday: How to navigate it in the hospitality industry

Blue Monday, dubbed the ‘most depressing day of the year,’ presents hospitality venues an opportunity to lift moods during the post-holiday slump, where live music can create meaningful connections between guests.‍

January is often considered one of the toughest months of the year. With cold weather, dark days, waning New Year's Resolutions, and the financial hangover from the festive season, combine all of that with the third Monday of January, and you get Blue Monday - coined as the ‘most depressing day of the year’.

For those customers who especially feel the effects of Blue Monday, it presents hospitality venues with an opportunity to engage with their customers in meaningful ways.

Venues can create experiences for their guests to uplift spirits and foster connections, from discounts to events and live music. Bars, pubs and restaurants have the power to make Blue Monday brighter for their patrons.

Hospitality venues serve as social hubs in the local community and provide much-needed social interaction among guests. Moods tend to dip on a day like Blue Monday, but these industries can play a vital role in improving their frame of mind.

How venues can navigate Blue Monday with live music

Whether your offering is great food, inviting spaces or a varied drinks menu, the hospitality sector plays an important role in lifting moods. It allows venues to position themselves as the antidotes to the day’s gloom. Offering specials, discounts, or entertainment can draw customers in through your door to create a positive atmosphere.

But, the ultimate element to improve the atmosphere in your venue is hosting live music. Whether a laidback acoustic performance, a high-energy band or a floor-filling DJ, live music has that power to instantly connect guests.

This is where GigPig comes into play. As the UK’s fastest-growing music marketplace, venues can instantly connect with some of their region's most talented artists to bring unforgettable live entertainment experiences.

GigPig makes booking live music and entertainment easy with a streamlined and simplified platform that helps hospitality businesses bring live music to their venue at times like Blue Monday.

For Blue Monday, GigPig can help restaurants, bars, and other venues set up live music events to transform the day's narrative from 'blue' to uplifting.

How venues can support their staff

While Blue Monday may have started as a marketing gimmick, it highlights the importance of addressing mental health, particularly during challenging times of the year. By recognising the struggles associated with this day and actively working to counteract them, the meaning of Blue Monday can be turned on its head.

While creating a positive experience for guests is essential, hospitality businesses must also focus on their employee's well-being. The hospitality industry is demanding - physically, mentally, and emotionally - and workers often face unique challenges that can impact their mental health. Blue Monday serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting staff during difficult times.  

Here are three organisations making a difference in the hospitality and music industries:  

Headstock

For those working in or around the music industry, Headstock offers vital support. The charity collaborates with charities, brands, and organisations to deliver music-led solutions that address the mental health crisis. Their MUSIC 85258 campaign provides free, confidential mental health support - text the word 'MUSIC' to 85258 for free, confidential mental health support at any time.

So Let’s Talk

This organisation is on a mission to 86 The Silence in hospitality. Through workshops, events, and training, So Let's Talk empowers businesses and staff with tools to improve mental, physical, and financial health. Their approach encourages open conversations and fosters mutual understanding between employers and employees.  

The Burnt Chef Project

The Burnt Chef Project aims to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in hospitality. They offer free resources, workplace training, and a 24/7 mental health support service to help employees feel supported and understood. By creating a culture where it’s safe to discuss mental health, to promote healthier, happier workplaces.

Turning Blue Monday on its head

While Blue Monday is often seen as a low point, it can be reframed as a moment of opportunity. Hospitality and live music venues have the tools to transform it by leveraging GigPig, businesses can seamlessly integrate live music into their offerings, creating memorable experiences that resonate far beyond a single day.

This Blue Monday, let’s flip the script. Instead of dwelling on the winter blues, we can focus on uplifting people through the power of live music.