How to Start a Bar Restaurant

Before you start a bar restaurant business you must know how to go about the process and what you will need. Some people think all you have to do is have some upfront capital and you are ready to go. In the case of a bar restaurant there is much more involved in starting up the business. Before you can even open a business of this type, you need licenses, supplies and a building that passes state and local codes for cooking and serving customers. Once you have the licenses and certifications, the real work begins.

Things You'll Need

• Licenses Certifications Supplies Employees Furniture

Instructions

How to Start a Bar Restaurant

1. Apply for a Employer Identification Number (also known as a federal tax identification number), State Tax number, ATF tax stamp, liquor license, restaurant license and any other licenses required by your state and city. You will need to have a building and health inspector come to the property and inspect the kitchen, bar area, service areas, dining area and the restrooms and storage. Once you have all the licenses and certification from the building and health inspectors, you are ready to start planning the business.

2. Order all supplies from authorized distributors in your area or online. Liquor, soft drinks, food, snacks, table accessories, kitchen accessories and bathroom supplies all have to be ordered from a qualified distributor. If you need dining furniture or bar furniture, you can buy these items anywhere.

3. Set up the kitchen and bar areas to meet safety and health regulations. You will also have to set up a pest control account with a qualified dealer. This is the time to start advertising for employees. You can interview employees while the bar restaurant is being set up.

4. Contact distributors for wall décor if you have nothing available. All of the beer, liquor and food distributors will be able to give you items for your walls and for behind the bar. Call the soda distributor if you plan to have a soda gun. They will install the cooler system, gas lines and guns around the bar.

5. Finish setting up the bar area and dining area. Make sure the bathrooms are set up. By now you should have hired some employees. Have all employees report to work at least two days before opening so that you can familiarize them with their job duties and how the bar restaurant will operate. If they need uniforms, you will want to have them available at this time.

6. Open the doors as advertised and make sure you are there all day. There are going to be questions from employees and even from customers. You want this business to succeed and you need to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Keep an eye on cleaning procedures and kitchen cleanups.

Tips & Warnings

• You should have at least two or three month's worth of money in the bank to cover monthly payments. If you fall behind in the first couple of months, this money is there to help you meet payments.

• Never open any bar restaurant without the proper licenses or certificates. Never allow employees to have substandard cleaning habits and personal hygiene habits.

Resources

• Get an EIN