How to open a hot bar or club

open a hot bar or club

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My tips are going to be general because rules in each state may vary. Opening a bar or club is more difficult than it may seem.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

A location, a liquor license, a dance license, partners with experience in the bar business, alcohol, cool vibe, and guests

Step1

Get a liquor license. Unlike most businesses, you can not open a bar or club (that serves alcohol) without getting a liquor license. The most valuable license in California is called a 48 and that allows you to serve only alcohol; other types of licenses require 50% of your revenue to come from food

Step2

Partner with experienced professionals who have been in the bar business before. In acquiring the license you will have to deal with the ABC (Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco and Firearms), local law enforcement, and numerous local and federal agencies

Step3

Remodel the location to give it a cool vibe. It is nearly impossible to move a liquor license from the existing establishment where it resides, so you will likely have to remodel the old broken down bar you just bought (its very rare to find a cool ready to go bar you can afford)

Step4

Set up a relationship with a liquor distributor and hire an experienced staff.

Step5

Begin marketing the bar to the local neighborhood and online. Bring in unique music and other things that appeal to an upscale audience.

Tips & Warnings

Don't enter the business unless you plan on a significant investment
Look at it as cool place to hang out more than a business investment; lessens the stress
Apply for a dance permit
Don't serve underaged people

Comments

Sartoris said

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on 7/14/2007 Any advice on how to scout out a location? I am just begining to work on my business plan, and it's obvious I'll need to know how much might rent will likely be?
How do I get information on possible venues for my pub?

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