Top 5 Ways Hospitality Brands Are Using TikTok to Drive Bookings
If TikTok isn’t already part of your hospitality marketing mix, it should be. The app that once felt like Gen Z’s playground has evolved into a powerful tool for getting bums on seats, heads in beds, and eyeballs on your venue — all with short-form, scroll-stopping content.
Hospitality brands across the UK (and beyond) are using TikTok not just for brand awareness, but to actually drive bookings.
And the best bit? You don’t need a big budget or a full-time videographer to get started.
Here are five ways restaurants, hotels, bars, and venues are using TikTok to make real results happen:
1. Behind-the-scenes content that actually gets people through the door
Let’s be honest — most people love a sneak peek.
Whether it’s the sizzle of a steak hitting the grill, a bartender shaking up your best-seller, or your front-of-house team setting up for a wedding, behind-the-scenes content performs brilliantly.
Not only does it humanise your brand, it builds trust. It’s the virtual equivalent of “come and have a look inside.”
✨ Try this:
“A day in the life of our kitchen team 🍽️”
“Setting up our garden terrace for tonight’s service 🌿”
“How we make our viral tiramisu 👀”
You’re not just selling food, drink or rooms — you’re selling experience. Show the work that goes into it.
2. Jumping on trends (without losing your brand voice)
Trends are the lifeblood of TikTok. And no, that doesn’t mean you need to do the latest dance challenge or lip-sync. But it does mean paying attention to trending audio, formats, and in-jokes — and getting creative with how they apply to your venue.
Hospitality brands that get this right stay current and keep their personality intact.
🌶️ Example:
Use a trending sound to show your staff reacting to a last-minute booking for 12 people on a Friday night.
Turn a popular meme format into a funny menu dilemma (“When you said you’d just get a salad… then saw the loaded fries 👀”).
It’s not about trying to be TikTok famous — it’s about being part of the conversation.
3. Working with local creators (they’re your secret weapon)
TikTok creators are the new word-of-mouth. When a relatable creator posts about your venue, it feels trustworthy — and followers take action.
You don’t need influencers with 100k+ followers. In fact, micro-influencers with smaller but highly engaged local audiences often bring in better results.
📍Why it works:
Local creators know your audience
They produce content that feels real, not scripted
Their followers are more likely to be nearby — and hungry
Whether it’s a free meal, a gifted overnight stay, or a campaign partnership, working with creators can massively boost your reach and reputation.
4. Positioning yourself as a 'hidden gem'
TikTok is built for discovery — and users love to feel like they’ve found somewhere special. That’s where the “hidden gem” format comes in.
It doesn’t matter if you’re slap-bang in the city centre — if you can position yourself as a place not everyone knows about (yet), you tap into TikTok’s explorer mindset.
🧭 Try captions like:
“POV: You’ve just found the best brunch spot in [City]”
“Hidden rooftop bar alert 👀🍸”
“This hotel is a secret oasis in [Region] and we’re obsessed”
The goal? Make your audience curious enough to book.
5. Encouraging guests to post about you
Some of the best-performing content about your venue might not even come from you.
User-generated content (UGC) is gold — and if you make it easy (and exciting) for guests to post, they will.
Especially if your food’s photogenic, your cocktails are colourful, or your view is TikTok-worthy.
📲 Tips:
Add a branded hashtag and encourage guests to use it
Create “Instagrammable” spots — think neon signs, branded menus, or plate-perfect dishes
Repost or duet guest content with a thank-you or cheeky comment
When other people talk about how great you are, it hits differently. Social proof matters — and it sells.
Final thoughts? Start scrappy, but start now.
You don’t need fancy lighting or a content calendar packed with polished videos to see success on TikTok. The brands winning right now are showing up consistently, being themselves, and finding creative ways to share what makes them special.
Whether you’re a restaurant trying to fill weekday bookings, a hotel looking to drive summer stays, or a bar hoping to go viral for your espresso martinis — TikTok could be your next big move.
💡Want help building your hospitality TikTok strategy? Let’s chat. Whether it’s content ideas, creator partnerships or a done-for-you campaign, I can help you turn views into bookings.
