More than just the cute guy or girl catches your eye at the bar these days.

Nearly 80 percent of people surveyed in a recent study recalled at least one of four advertisements running on digital billboard screens at bars where they were partying. That’s not a bad number considering the audience surveyed by Arbitron and Zoom Media & Marketing — 500 people aged 21 to 34.  That’s a demographic that advertisers love.

It shouldn’t be overlooked that Zoom Media is an advertising company with a big digital presence in bars and nightclubs. Still, the survey suggest that digital billboards really are getting eyeballs.

Another finding from the survey: “Consumers who were exposed to the advertising were much more likely to consider certain brands as category leaders. For example, when asked what they thought the top new video games were, twice as many people were likely to answer Assassin’s Creed — which was one of the commercials used in the survey — compared to those not exposed to the ad.”

Note that the study found 40 percent of those surveyed visit bars over 10 times a month. So whether these folks could recall the advertisements — or where they left their shoes — the next day is another matter altogether.

(Photo: Reuters)