Maybe you have dreams of moving abroad and want a business that can fund your lifestyle? Maybe you have always hankered after the life of a landlord, whether in a quiet country pub full of locals, or a busy city street full of Friday night revellers, it isn’t a lifestyle that suits everyone, but it is one that many people enjoy and would never give it up for the nine ‘til 5. It can be long hours and a lot of stress, especially when you are still trying to find your feet, but the rewards are high – it is more of a lifestyle than just a job.
If you have always dreamed of opening up your very own bar and are ready to take the leap or are not sure where to start, here are a few things to consider before making the leap into the wonderful (and often stressful!) world of owning your own bar.
Have you considered what you are going to charge – Do the maths and as much research as you possibly can before you begin. If possible, speak to other people who have set up their own bar who will know their stuff and will be able to give you some advice. Think about supplies, such as post mix juices from https://empireuk.com/post-mix-products/post-mix-juices/ and where you will source them from and work out what you will be able to charge to cover costs and to make a profit.
What are you going to serve – Are you going to be serving elaborate cocktails, traditional local ales and ciders or cheap and cheerful drinks for students? Think about your target audience and where you are based – a buzzing student bar is not going to do very well in a tiny rural village! If you are going to be serving food, consider what you will offer and how much of a role it will play – if you are relying on the food side of things to be your main source of income, then you need to make sure that a lot of emphasis is put on food and a dining area and family friendly facilities are available.
Have you got a Licence – To run a bar you must have a license to serve alcohol, and to serve food there are more regulations that you will need to be aware of and follow. If you are going to be a live music venue, you will also need to get permission to be able to do this, as in a residential area it is not always popular with the locals!