Cheers: 6 Tips for Opening a Beer Bar
Do you have dreams of running your own bar? Thanks to the craft beer revolution, the beer market
has seen a resurgence in popularity. New brands, varied flavors, and the emergence of a distinctive
culture make the prospect of opening a beer bar a lucrative one.
But how do you go about starting your own beer bar? If you aren’t sure where to start, there are a few tips that could help you get started. We’re going to take a look at 6 things that might just give you the confidence to go for it (think of it like an opening a bar checklist), so keep reading!
1. Name Your Bar
Naming your bar is one of the most fun and exciting things to do when you’re starting up your own bar. Here are a few things to consider when coming up with a name;
- Is it easy to remember?
- Does it reflect you and your vision for the bar?
- Is it relevant enough to stand out, but not so niche that it’ll become dated?
- Does it reflect what your bar sells?
Once you’ve considered these points, come up with a name you love and that gets you excited!
2. Write a Business Plan
Thanks to the wonders of the internet, writing a business plan no longer has to be a scary prospect for those who have never written one before.
There are templates available online, but the basic structure of a business plan is as follows;
- An objective analysis of the current situation
- An in-depth analysis of the market you want to enter
- Where your product or service might position itself in the market
- Objectives and goals
- The strategies you’ll apply in order to achieve these goals
And that’s it! There’s a lot of work that goes into it, but it’s really an investment as you’ll benefit from
the knowledge you gain.
3. Secure a Location and Funding
If you’re wondering how to open a bar with no money, the answer is it’s very difficult. So whether you have your own savings, or have secured some investment, it’s important to start with some capital to buy equipment and stock.
The location of a bar can make or break its success, so when you’re looking at funding, be prepared to pay a little more for locations in areas with nightlife and high foot traffic.
4. The Legal Stuff
There are licensing laws in every state—you can’t just set up a stall and start selling beer. Do a little research into what the local laws and regulations are, and make sure you’re actually set up as a business entity, too.
This step may be a little boring as it’s not glamorous, but it’s an important one.
5. Buy Your Equipment and Stock
If you’ve established the kind of beer bar you want to run, you’ll already have a good idea of what
exactly you’ll need. Consider things like refrigerators, a beer pump (or pumps depending on your size), as well as things like glassware, trays, etc.
6. Hire Staff and Host a Soft Opening
Hiring staff is no easy task, so take your time in interviewing and vetting the applicants. You’ll want people who understand your trade, but are also able to hold conversations!
A great way to get going is to host a soft opening, which may just be for family and friends. It’s an opportunity for your staff to get used to working there, and for you to see how it all runs.
Get Started On Your Beer Bar Today
Hopefully, this article has helped you to see that with a few structures in place, anyone can start up
their own beer bar. Are you feeling inspired to go for it?
Whether you’re looking to set up an inner-city beer bar or a remote one, the tips here will help you
prevent some of the problems with owning a bar.
If you’ve enjoyed this article, check out the Business section of the website for more!
