Have you ever dreamed of owning your very bar establishment? Most people have at some point.
However, it’s very likely that most people are those who don’t pursue it. If you’re here, you’re one step ahead and you need to keep up the momentum.
This article will cover everything from opening a bar, to what permits you need, and even tips on hiring staff! We’ll also provide resources for finding potential locations with low overhead costs.
With this advice in hand, it won’t be long before you’re the proud owner of your very own bar! Keep on reading to learn more about bar ownership.
What Does It Take to Run a Bar?
The first thing you need is obviously a bar! While it may be true that location can make or break your business, there are plenty of places near population centers where the rent isn’t astronomical.
If you’re in charge of choosing the location for your new watering hole, consider looking at areas with large populations but few bars nearby. These locations will likely see an influx of patrons when word gets out about your establishment offering great drinks and atmosphere!
Opening a Bar
The best way to find potential properties is by asking around within local government agencies that oversee retail space.
You might also check real estate listings online if they aren’t available through city resources – and don’t forget to look in the classifieds! Opening a bar is not just finding property though.
Licenses & Permits
State regulations vary by location, but there are some common requirements you’ll likely have.
Foodservice is a must – your bar will need to offer food if it wants to stay open past midnight. You may also be required to obtain an occupancy permit depending on how many people the space can hold at one time.
The most demanding requirement outside of these basics is liquor licensing. This varies state-by-state as well, but typically includes having staff trained in responsible serving practices and purchasing alcohol through licensed suppliers.
If you’re unsure about any specific regulations in your area, call up local officials right away so they can help guide you to the alcohol industry.
Staff Hiring Tips
This can be a tough part of the process, especially if you’re just starting out. First of all, it’s important to remember that good help is hard to find – so make sure your employees feel appreciated!
Also, don’t forget about training programs in your area. Your state or city may have resources available to get new managers up-to-speed with regulations and best practices when working at bars.
One last thing before we go – do not under any circumstances hire family members as bartenders! Remember that customers come first. There are plenty of people who will work hard without drama coming into play.
Common Mistakes Made When Opening Your First Bar
The first mistake most people make is opening a bar without doing their research. Look into your market and find out what the competition looks like – if you’re going to open in an area with tons of bars, then you better have something unique or special that’ll draw customers away from them!
It’s not enough to just offer liquor at low prices. Bars need atmosphere, entertainment, etc.
Another big misstep would be getting too ambitious before setting up shop. If it turns out that there aren’t any nearby locations available for rent at reasonable rates, don’t sweat it!
Starting small will give you time to plan everything carefully so when the right spot comes along (or your current location gets more profitable), you can jump right on it.
Avoid sinking all of your money into opening up a bar. It’s fine to spend some cash on marketing and getting the word out, but you can’t expect to open up shop without taking in any revenue for months or even years!
Having enough savings will ensure that you don’t go bankrupt before you’ve put everything together properly – remember not to bite off more than you can chew.
How to Get Funding/Investments for Your Bar
The first piece of advice here is to keep your expectations low. It’s really hard for new businesses to get investments, even when they show promise.
You need a good business plan that outlines how you’ll make money in the future – this means outlining past successes and potential pitfalls so investors know what kind of risks are involved with backing you up.
Don’t forget about market research either! If there isn’t much demand for bars in your area, it might not be worth their while to invest because profits will likely be limited over time.
It could also help if you have an experienced team helping out with everything from day one – people who’ve run successful bar/restaurant operations before can give great insight into what works well and what doesn’t.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule – if you know someone with connections in the business world who believes in your project and wants to help out, then don’t turn down their assistance! It’s not easy for young businesses to get off the ground these days.
Furthermore, there are grants out there that you can apply for through nonprofits and other organizations. Although they’re not huge sums of money, these awards give your business a big leg up at the beginning stages before it starts making real profits.
As always, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it – remember that starting a bar isn’t easy! But with enough planning and determination, your dream pub will become a reality in no time flat!
How to Promote Your Bar
Having a great location is only half the battle – if no one knows about your business, then it’ll be difficult to make any money! Here are some promotional ideas that you can try out:
Put up flyers in highly trafficked areas of town. If people don’t know who you are and what your bar offers, they won’t spend their time or money there.
Get social media accounts set up on Facebook and Instagram as soon as possible so that you have an online presence. Presently, most customers want fast access to information – this means having everything from menu items to average wait times available at a click of a button!
Advertise during local events whenever possible. Even just setting up a tent with free drinks will be enough to draw a crowd.
Do some research online and find out what kinds of events are popular in your area, then set up shop nearby (don’t forget to apply for the necessary permits!). People love attending themed parties like movie screenings, book signings, fundraisers, etc., so this is an easy way to make money!
Nothing helps drum up business like word of mouth. Ask regular customers if they wouldn’t mind sharing their experiences with others on Facebook or Twitter.
It’s much more powerful than any ad you could ever run! If people keep coming back because it’s such a great spot, everyone else will take notice eventually.
As long as you don’t give up and stay persistent even when things start to look dire, your bar will be a success story in no time!
How to Ensure Your Bar Stands Out From the Other Bars in Town
If you want to make money, then you need your bar to stand out from the crowd – people will not be willing to spend their hard-earned cash on boring experiences. Here are some creative ideas that you can implement:
Host a weekly trivia night where participants have to answer questions about pop culture and other topics in order for them to win prizes. This is a great way of getting new customers into the fold!
Provide high-quality food that goes beyond typical pub grub like burgers or fish & chips. People love going out because they know there’s always something delicious waiting for them at these types of establishments.
Just look around next time you go somewhere new – if it doesn’t smell good right away, chances are you won’t get a table.
Add some colorful décor to freshen up the place – this is an easy way of making your bar more inviting without spending too much money at all! Just make sure you keep things clean and tidy so that no one has any complaints about their experience there in the long run.
As soon as people realize what kind of well-rounded fun they can have when they come to your place, word will spread like wildfire and you’ll be bringing in customers left and right!
How to Hire the Right People for Your Staff
Your bar will only be as good as the people you hire to work there! With that in mind, it’s important to make sure you spend time interviewing everyone who wants a job so that you can find the perfect fit.
Pay attention to how they treat others; if they don’t seem like positive role models, then chances are your customers won’t have a great experience either. Remember – your staff is often representative of your company (so keep this in mind when hiring!).
Always conduct multiple interviews with each candidate instead of just taking their word for things. You want someone responsible and hardworking, not simply an empty shell who’ll do anything for money.
Make sure that every new person signs an NDA before starting on the job as well! You don’t want them to tell your secrets or share any trade information with other companies.
This is the only way you’ll be able to make those business connections that will help take your bar from ordinary to extraordinary! Loyalty is crucial in the bar business, so make sure you pick the right people from the start.
Consider using a pull house system to ensure that everybody works as a team and that the bartenders are not fighting for tips. They must encourage each other to serve customers better.
How to Lead Your Team in the Bar Business
If you want to make sure that your bar is a success, then it’s important for you to lead the team with confidence and positivity.
If something doesn’t go as planned or there are problems on the floor, don’t yell at people who made honest mistakes. Learn about MTS Seating here.
It’ll only cause more issues down the line if they begin hiding what needs changing instead of resolving those problems. This will not help anyone in their jobs!
Make notes about each person so that you know how best to deal with them; some employees might respond better than others depending on their personalities and skillsets.
Always listen carefully when people speak up, even if it interrupts what you’re doing at the moment – this way, everyone can achieve maximum productivity together.
Encourage your employees to get creative with their work; this is the best way for them to make a real difference in how much money you bring in as a business. Always encourage communication and feedback from those who work under you.
Make Your Bar a Success
The complete guide that makes opening a bar simple. Make sure you follow these steps to ensure your business becomes successful!
Hire the right people, lead with confidence and positivity, encourage creativity from those who work for you as well as communication and feedback. Your bar will become a success if you follow this advice!
In essence, a bar is a business in which you serve clients alcoholic beverages. As soon as people realize what kind of well-rounded fun they can have when they come to your place, word will spread like wildfire and you’ll be bringing in customers left and right!
In order to make sure that everybody has the best experience possible, it’s important for you to hire responsibly. If you’re interested in learning more about business, please check out our tailored articles on the sidebar.
