The Question Menu

Served to Justin · Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge · The New Website

Thirty-two small pours. Short answers are perfect. Order by number, or let’s talk it over a Mai Tai.

Answer these questions →
answer first · important · when you can

A. Running the SiteHouse Rules

  1. 1Who’ll update the menu and merch? How often, and how techy are they?
  2. 2Any website platform you love or want to avoid?
  3. 3OK for the bar to own every account: domain, platform, hosting?

B. ReservationsSecuring a Booth

  1. 4OpenTable built right into our site, so guests never leave it: does that work?
  2. 5How much do you lean on OpenTable’s diner network and reviews?
  3. 6Keep timed seatings (90 min / 2 hrs) and walk-ins as they are?
  4. 7Roughly what share of covers come via OpenTable’s network vs. your site?
  5. 8Open to SevenRooms if it plays nice with Heartland?

C. Merch & Gift CardsThe Trading Post

  1. 9Replace the Shopify store, or keep it running behind the scenes?
  2. 10Is shop.forbiddenislandalameda.com OK, or must the shop be on the main site?
  3. 11Mugs: limited drops or pre-orders? Is pickup at the bar important?
  4. 12Do gift cards need to stay on Heartland for the register?
  5. 13Merge the Shopify and Heartland gift cards into one system?

D. Private Events & CateringShared Experiences

  1. 14Confirm the new policy: 35 guests, $1,000 minimum, on-site events on the patio.
  2. 15Under the minimum: stop the request, or point them to reservations?
  3. 16Mention the 9pm patio close on the events page?
  4. 17Catering: what’s included, how far you’ll travel, any deposit?
  5. 18Type 58 caterer’s permit in hand? Can under-21s attend catered events?
  6. 19Who gets event inquiries, and how fast do you usually reply?
  7. 20Custom cocktails: how it works, pricing, and where the info should live?

E. The MenuBitter, Spice & Everything Nice

  1. 21Which drink categories, in what order? Show prices? Strength ratings?
  2. 22Bar bites, beer and N/A drinks in the same menu?

F. Staff PageYour Humble Guides

  1. 23Who’s on it, and are there photos and bios? (And who is Miami Dave?)

G. Kill Devil ClubFor the Super-Sippers

  1. 24How many have finished the 100 list and the 2.0 list? Honor-roll names since 2014: public?
  2. 25Paper lists only? Do cocktail rums count? How often does 2.0 change?
  3. 26“100” and “50+” vs. ~230 bottles on the menu: what are today’s rules?
  4. 27Someday member logins: what would you want, and how soon?

H. Photos, Art & VideoRelics & Treasures

  1. 28Original logo, menu art and mug art files? Who owns the rights?
  2. 29More footage from the hero video shoot, or other pro photos?

I. Quick FactsLast Call

  1. 30Correct hours? (Google: Mon–Fri 4–midnight, Sat–Sun 2–midnight)
  2. 31Can we get access to Google Business, Analytics and Search Console?
  3. 32Did Martin Cate leave in 2008 or 2009? Anything in the story you’d tell differently?
Mahalo, Justin!Answers served neat or on the rocks. Skip any you’re unsure of, there’s no corkage fee.