What to Look at When Starting a Bar
In this article I will try and help you with some ideas about setting up your own bar but remember this is a big undertaking and you should do some serious soul searching before getting started.
For the first few years you life is likely to be consumed by your bar and you could end up doing 70+ hours per week.
Still want to continue? OK.
The first and most serious issue to look at is location.
I am sure you have heard the phrase "location, location, location" but it is so true.
A business can be set to fail at this point and you will find it very hard to overturn it.
Once you have chosen a location and got set up changing your mind is practically impossible.
You have to look at the demographic you are aiming at first.
No point setting up a college bar in a town with no college and there is little point setting up a nook and cranny regulars bar in a town full of younger people.
Of course an important issue when dealing with location is what you can afford.
It's all well and good finding a great location only to realize you are way out of price.
Although if you find yourself priced out of any great location you find you might have to reconsider your venture.
There is little point getting a poor location because it's all you can afford.
You might as well throw the cash away.
The next issue you should look at is what style of bar you want to run.
This is going to depend on what your keen on running but also what would be popular and offer something new to the location.
Some of the obvious options are Local bar, Irish bar, Sports bar or a college bar.
This is an important decision as while it is not definite, to change the theme of the bar will cost money on redecoration, a loss of revenue while doing so and setting you back to step one in your marketing.
Another area you can examine is music.
This can change wildly as you learn what works with your customers but the theme of your bar should give you some ideas as to what style of bands you look to get in.
Feel free though to try something different every now and again.
You might surprise yourself and stumble upon a gem.
When it comes to food you will have to decide what level you are serving at.
Will you offer simple snacks like baskets of fries etc.
or will you offer a restaurant level menu or somewhere in between.
Remember when it comes to food, health and safety are very picky and you may be best getting them involved from the start so you don't have to rearrange your kitchen's layout.
Finally once you have it all set up and ready to go you will need staff.
These too can make or break a bar.
Look for someone who seems trustworthy and also holds a great personality especially if you're establishing a local bar where the regulars will often be in chatting with the staff.
Well I hope you found this helpful and are closer to making a final decision and best of luck with the bar!
For the first few years you life is likely to be consumed by your bar and you could end up doing 70+ hours per week.
Still want to continue? OK.
The first and most serious issue to look at is location.
I am sure you have heard the phrase "location, location, location" but it is so true.
A business can be set to fail at this point and you will find it very hard to overturn it.
Once you have chosen a location and got set up changing your mind is practically impossible.
You have to look at the demographic you are aiming at first.
No point setting up a college bar in a town with no college and there is little point setting up a nook and cranny regulars bar in a town full of younger people.
Of course an important issue when dealing with location is what you can afford.
It's all well and good finding a great location only to realize you are way out of price.
Although if you find yourself priced out of any great location you find you might have to reconsider your venture.
There is little point getting a poor location because it's all you can afford.
You might as well throw the cash away.
The next issue you should look at is what style of bar you want to run.
This is going to depend on what your keen on running but also what would be popular and offer something new to the location.
Some of the obvious options are Local bar, Irish bar, Sports bar or a college bar.
This is an important decision as while it is not definite, to change the theme of the bar will cost money on redecoration, a loss of revenue while doing so and setting you back to step one in your marketing.
Another area you can examine is music.
This can change wildly as you learn what works with your customers but the theme of your bar should give you some ideas as to what style of bands you look to get in.
Feel free though to try something different every now and again.
You might surprise yourself and stumble upon a gem.
When it comes to food you will have to decide what level you are serving at.
Will you offer simple snacks like baskets of fries etc.
or will you offer a restaurant level menu or somewhere in between.
Remember when it comes to food, health and safety are very picky and you may be best getting them involved from the start so you don't have to rearrange your kitchen's layout.
Finally once you have it all set up and ready to go you will need staff.
These too can make or break a bar.
Look for someone who seems trustworthy and also holds a great personality especially if you're establishing a local bar where the regulars will often be in chatting with the staff.
Well I hope you found this helpful and are closer to making a final decision and best of luck with the bar!