How to Open a Good Bar

Opening a great bar requires a great deal of hard work and planning.

Anyone with enough money can open a bar, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be successful. An extraordinary amount of planning and attention to detail is needed to ensure that your business is profitable. It is vital to secure a good reputation in your market through service and atmosphere, and to maintain that standard through the hard work of good employees. When run correctly, a good bar can operate profitably for years.

Things You'll Need

• Employees
• Investors
• Architect

Instructions

Opening a Good Bar

1. Establish a financial plan. You may need to involve other investors or partners to help you realize your vision. Opening a bar may cost more than you anticipate and you're going to have to secure the funds to open the bar plus cover your personal expenses while you are establishing your new business.

2. Decide on a concept. You may want to open a sports bar, a sleek lounge, a neighborhood dive or a bar with another specific concept. If you are opening a sports bar, what teams are you featuring? If you're opening a lounge, is it going to feature martinis and have a throwback feel, or will you open a trendy lounge with house music? Visit bars with similar concepts to observe what works and doesn't work. Ask the bartenders at these establishments about their bar's strengths and weaknesses.

3. Hire an architect who has experience designing bars. Visit bars they have designed and check references thoroughly. If you have no experience working behind a bar, consult with bartenders on what makes a bar setup efficient and comfortable. The more conveniently the bar is designed for workers, the more drinks bartenders can get across the bar top, which means more money in the register.

4. Hire trustworthy employees with experience. Look for personable employees with energy. They will represent your business to your customers. Make sure to check references. The last thing you want to do is hire a bartender who has been fired for stealing at another bar.

5. Build a relationship with your beer and liquor vendors. If you build good relationships with your vendors, they are more likely to provide specials and promotions that you can pass on to your customers. You customers will in turn be more likely to return and become regulars.

References

• Entrepreneur
• Grow Think
• Starting a Pub