Whether you’re a hospitality industry veteran or just starting out in the field, it’s worth learning all you can about running a bar. As you likely know, it’s not as simple as opening up shop and waiting for the customers to come rushing in—there’s a lot involved behind the scenes.
Thankfully, we know all the steps involved in running a bar, and we’ve curated them all here for your reference. (And you can get any equipment you need at your local supplier e.g. RS Components). Lucky you!
By following our checklist, you’ll be prepped and ready to start (or maintain) a successful career in the bar business.
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Have a plan ready
A bar isn’t just a place for the locals to relax after a long day—it’s a bona fide business! And successful businesses require careful planning.
With a business plan in place, you’ll have a better idea of what you hope to accomplish, the type of bar you’d like to run, and how much money you’ll need to get started.
Some important points to consider in your plan include:
– A well-defined financial plan,
– Realistic goals,
– Competitor and market analysis.
You see, drafting a well-defined financial plan is one of the most crucial steps involved in entering the bar business. Otherwise, you could end up with a labour-intensive (and not to mention expensive!) concept that can’t sustain itself.
Competitor and market analysis is also essential. You don’t want to step blindly into the industry—the more information you gather about other bars in your area, the better off you’ll be.
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Craft a killer brand
Like all businesses, bar owners need to define their brand. It’s an essential part of making a name for yourself in the industry.
It’s essential have high-quality branding for your bar if you want to grab the attention of potential customers. A great logo, custom graphic design, and a unique colour choice can help you stand out in a crowded marketplace.
But keep in mind, branding isn’t just about your logo or company colours—it’s about how everything comes together to represent your business identity. Choose something that really says ‘you!’
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Get your licensing on-point
A bar isn’t going to get much business without alcohol on the menu—but to serve it legally, you need a license.
In Australia, bar or pub without a liquor license is not legally permitted to serve alcohol—and liquor is the way to make money in this industry! While licenses can be expensive, they’ll pay dividends in the sales you’ll make as a result.
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Put your best foot forward
One major part of running a successful bar is presentation. You’ll need to maintain a neat, sparkling clean premises to keep customers coming back for more. The best way to achieve this is to invest in quality cleaning equipment, like bottle brushes, rubbish bins, glass washers, drying racks, and rinser trays.
Conclusion
So, you know all there is to know about running a bar now—so why not rush out there and get started? Stock up on all the right supplies and you’ll be well on your way to running the next ‘place to be’ in your town.
