Then add up the cost of all the ingredients. Though we already suggested a wine bar/coffee shop combo above, the clientele you’ll attract for that small town business idea versus this one is significantly different. If you decide to become a bar owner, you now know how to get started and run a profitable business. Sure, people often go to bars to drink, but not all drunks are happy drunks, and they certainly aren’t safe, so it’s usually best to cut off their alcohol supply or send people home before they get too intoxicated. Chat with the owner or take a seat at the bar to watch the service.
What’s the fee? And after three tries, your taste buds are shot, so it might take you three weeks to come up with something.

Full-blown menu: Many bars have larger menus these days. You can be your own boss, network with others, and make a pretty penny. Expect to pay a minimum of $20,000/month for running an average sized bar. Other neighborhood businesses — whether it’s a clothing boutique or another bar — can add tremendous value to your business.

All he has to do is drive through the neighborhoods or stroll through the business and shopping districts. Putting yourself in the mind of your customers when you are planning the design of your bar can be extremely beneficial down the line. This not only helps maintain high customer service but helps with cost control -- reducing waste from unsold food.

We’re with you from Square one to whatever’s next. Consider introducing happy hour where you offer drinks and meals for discounted prices. In bars, sometimes the only menu is an appetizer menu. So easy." However, bar ownership is not for everyone—the long work hours, high startup costs and already saturated market mean opening and running a bar can be a considerable challenge.

Critical components of customer satisfaction are the service level and food quality. While crowds tend to be the heaviest on the weekends, you can’t keep your bar in business if you rely solely on Saturday night. Have a story you're not embarrassed to tell over and over. Besides the daily needs of running a bar — for example, what condiments to keep behind the bar and what to put on the menu — you also have to deal with the rigors of management, such as keeping your employees honest, staying on the right […] To encourage customers to come in during the week, most bar owners have a schedule of regular promotions and events like happy hour, game night, and karaoke. Issues such as the average income level of the town and the average age shape these choices.

You’ll have late nights and have to work on weekends and public holidays. Running a bar isn’t for the faint of heart. So on that case of beer that you think I made 30% profit on, I netted $7.


A variable cost is a corporate expense that changes in proportion to production output. Your profits will depend on how well you run your bar and manage your operating costs.

Entrepreneur.com: The Ingredients of Restaurant Success, Entrepreneur.com: How to Start a Bar/Club, The Average Profit Margin for a Restaurant, Privacy Notice/Your California Privacy Rights.

Market your bar in the following ways: Finally, you need systems and procedures that provide structure for employees and your operation. You’d be surprised by the things you need to have on hand when preparing food and drinks. The Square Editorial Team is dedicated to telling stories of business, for business owners. Whether it's a larger staff, higher rent, or that it costs more to heat the place.