By: Spotlight Marketing Solutions LLC
Dive Bar, North Carolina’s premier arcade bar brand, has been making waves since its launch in Mooresville in 2021. Now boasting five unique locations, the company has its sights set on further expansion in 2025. Dive Bar offers a distinct blend of entertainment and affordability, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Owner Rob Grosskopf highlights the simplicity and appeal of Dive Bar’s concept: “We are the arcade bar where fun meets affordability,” he says. This vision caters to individuals looking to have a good time without breaking the bank. Dive Bar has been locally recognized in each city for its high level of entertainment, featuring a variety of activities such as claw games, retro arcade games, photo booths, pinball machines, and a fully stocked bar offering comfort food.
Dive Bar’s five locations each offer a unique experience. Two of the locations, in Winston-Salem and High Point, are family-friendly until 8 p.m. daily. These spots cater to families seeking an enjoyable outing with their children. The other three locations maintain a strictly 21+ policy, creating a more edgy and adult-oriented vibe. Regardless of the location, Dive Bar ensures a fun and inexpensive experience with daily specials starting at just $3.
Photo Courtesy: Spotlight Marketing Solutions LLC
What sets Dive Bar apart from its competition is its genuine and human approach to marketing and branding. The company has successfully built real connections with its patrons through its lively and unorthodox social media presence. “Our social media pages have each reached millions of accounts just by having fun, being unhinged, and not selling 24/7,” explains Grosskopf. This strategy has resonated with a wide audience, making Dive Bar a standout in the industry.
The ambiance of Dive Bar is a nostalgic tribute to the best elements of dive bars and childhood memories. The walls are adorned with classic car memorabilia, license plates, and vintage drinking paraphernalia. “We kind of joke it’s like a dive bar-themed bar. Then there are other things that are a little nostalgic for us,” says Grosskopf. This includes quirky food options such as dinosaur nuggets, which Grosskopf fondly recalls from his childhood. The menu also features a variety of bar foods and snacks, including frozen pizzas—a nod to the dive bars of the upper Midwest where Grosskopf grew up.
“We’ve got dinosaur nuggets for food, and that’s kind of an homage to my childhood,” he notes. “A lot of little bar foods and snacks, doing the frozen pizzas behind the counter. I grew up in the upper Midwest, and a lot of the dive bars there have a pizza oven behind the bar. So, yeah, it’s kind of a collection of who we are and our favorite things at bars sprinkled in with some games and some good humor.”
Dive Bar’s success story is a testament to the power of staying true to one’s roots while embracing innovation and creativity. The company’s expansion from a single location in a basement to a multi-location chain in less than three years showcases its resilience and appeal. With its commitment to providing affordable and entertaining experiences, Dive Bar is poised for continued growth and success in North Carolina and potentially beyond.
Photo Courtesy: Spotlight Marketing Solutions LLC
The unique marketing strategy employed by Dive Bar is a crucial factor in its rapid growth. The brand’s social media presence is marked by its playful, unfiltered content that engages a broad audience. By not adhering strictly to conventional marketing norms and instead focusing on creating a fun, relatable online persona, Dive Bar has managed to cultivate a loyal customer base. This approach not only draws people to their physical locations but also fosters a strong online community.
This success was the product of a close working relationship with Spotlight Marketing Solutions,LLC– a creative and web design agency based in Atlantic City, New Jersey that has deep ties to North Carolina and prides itself on personalized, “on-brand” content once the voice is decided upon. The only way this is done is with careful planning and consideration before launch, as well as a human approach to making relatable content whether it be relatable memes or visually-appealing designs. The main @DiveBar_NC Instagram account alone has reached 3.1 Million accounts in the last 90 days (Apr. 25-July 23), that’s not counting the individual location accounts which each get their own stream of content.
Spotlight’s founder, Paul Brown who is a native of South Jersey openly admits he has an unorthodox approach to marketing, regardless of the industry his client is in. “So many marketing agencies focus on selling, selling, selling. Nobody wants to be sold to anymore, because it’s every 3rd post on social media”. He goes on to say that every account he works with has a different voice, and the way to grow as an SMB is creating a community of people who are entertained and informed by the client’s content.
Furthermore, the brand’s ability to adapt to different demographics is noteworthy. The family-friendly locations provide a safe and enjoyable environment for parents and children, while the adult-only bars offer a more mature atmosphere, complete with a touch of nostalgia and edgy entertainment. This flexibility allows Dive Bar to cater to a wide range of customers, ensuring that everyone can find a place where they feel comfortable and entertained.
Dive Bar’s plans for future expansion are indicative of its success and popularity. As Grosskopf and his team look to open more locations in 2025, they remain committed to maintaining the core values that have brought them this far: affordability, entertainment, and a personal touch. Each new location will continue to embody the unique charm and welcoming atmosphere that have become synonymous with the Dive Bar brand.
For more information, visit Dive Bar, follow them on Instagram, or check out their lively content on TikTok.
Published By: Aize Perez
