Can a small bar make money?

Asked by: Clifford Deckow PhD  |  Last update: December 15, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (61 votes)

If you are still wondering if owning a bar is profitable, the answer is yes. But only if the business owner has a solid grasp of business structure and financial projections with a business plan. The intricacies of menu pricing, table management, and gross profit margins are only a part of a bar's profitability.

Are small bars profitable?

In a small bar, your average bar profit is about the same as any other bar, as long as your marketing is on point. Your bar operating expenses may be substantially lower than they would be in a larger space, as you'll have less to look after. The monetary answer to this question is about $900.

How much do small bar owners make?

Bar owners make an average annual salary of $74,791 per year or $6,247 per month. Net profit, depending on the type of bar you decide to open, buy, or own, ranges from 5–10% to between 10% and 15% per month, sometimes even higher if you add a retail component to your bar.

What makes a small bar successful?

You need to ensure that you're well-stocked, serving tasty drinks, creating events to excite potential customers, and protecting yourself from any potential liabilities.

What kind of bars make the most money?

These are the top three most profitable types of bars:
  • Bar and Restaurant Combination.
  • Sports Bars.
  • Clubs.

Can you make a living owning a bar (Real Talk) w/ Dan Flitsch - Seattle Bar Owner

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Are bars worth owning?

Profit margins are high, especially on alcohol. Expect to make anywhere between 200% to 400% on drinks. There are superb networking opportunities to meet people for both business and pleasure. You're your own boss and can live and work on your terms.

What is the average profit of a bar?

The average net profit margin for a bar is between 10 and 15% . However, the average pour cost varies by bar business type, drinks served, and location.

Is it hard owning a bar?

Startup costs are the first major hurdle to bar ownership. These expenses range from real estate and documentation to additional costs, such as supplies, wages, and insurance. Costs can range anywhere between $100,000 and $850,000, including startup costs. But you can start this kind of business for much less.

How do I start a small local bar?

How to Open a Bar
  1. Choose a Bar Concept and Brand.
  2. Choose a Name for Your Bar.
  3. Choose a Business Entity for Your Bar.
  4. Write a Bar Business Plan.
  5. Secure Funding for Your Bar.
  6. Find the Perfect Location.
  7. Obtain Permits and Licenses.
  8. Find a Liquor Supplier.

What attracts customers to a bar?

36 ways to bring in customers
  • Gaming Tablets.
  • Self-Pour Beer & Beverage Walls.
  • Photo Booths For Everyone to Enjoy.
  • Popular Bar Games.
  • Live Music.
  • Open Mic Night.
  • Trivia Night.
  • Holiday Events.

Can I run a pub with no experience?

Can you run a pub with no experience? The simple answer is yes. If you've had experience of working in or running a pub before that's great, but don't worry it's not a requirement. The most important qualities you need are dedication, determination and a passion to make your business succeed.

How do you make a bar profitable?

Let's go.
  1. Upselling Strategy.
  2. Create Mocktails.
  3. Boost Premium Liquor Sales.
  4. Offer Free Tasting.
  5. Update Your Menu.
  6. Create a Cozy Bar Atmosphere.
  7. Introduce Bar Games and Themed Nights.
  8. Promote Your Bar on Social Media.

What is the profit margin on alcohol?

Your liquor store profit margin will typically be between 20% and 30%. These profit margins are in line with averages from other retail businesses. If you're looking to open a beer or wine store, those businesses have about 40% average net profit.

How do you market a small bar?

Top Bar Marketing Ideas
  1. Focus On Your Online Experience. For many prospective customers, their first impression of your bar will be your website. ...
  2. Find Your Personal Touch. ...
  3. Games, Discounts and Themed Nights. ...
  4. Generate Referrals. ...
  5. Utilize Social Media. ...
  6. Form Partnerships with Local Businesses. ...
  7. Consult the Data. ...
  8. Upsell Products.

What does pour cost mean?

Your bar's pour cost is the percentage of costs that your drinks cost compared to your bar's resulting sales from those products. It is a way of measuring your gross profit margin on your bar's products and goods.

What is a good cogs for a bar?

The COGS usually fluctuates based on market conditions and the types of drinks that are popular at any given time. However, the COGS for a bar is typically about 30% of sales. It means that the bar spends about 30 cents in costs for every dollar in sales.

How big should a small bar be?

Typically, you want about 2' of space between bar stools to have enough room to navigate in and around the stools. Most standard home bar designs are at least 6' long to accommodate three bar stools or an 8' bar that will give you room for four stools.

Is it hard to start a bar business?

There are many long days and nights associated with learning how to open and run a bar. Once you've filed all of the paperwork and licenses, however, opening a bar becomes a little easier. As long as you have a clear vision for the design and work tirelessly to provide excellent customer service, people will come back.

How do bar owners get paid?

Consider all of this when pricing your menu to retain maximum profitability for every drink you sell. Regarding you, the business owner, the average bar owner makes a yearly salary drawn from the bar's net profit margin.

Is being a bar back easy?

Make no mistake – barbacking is a tough job. But it's absolutely vital to our industry and to any high volume bar. And it's also a fantastic stepping stone to work your way up to a bartending job. If you work hard, pay attention, and try to get better every day, then you'll make a fantastic barback!

What are the risks of running a bar?

Potential Risks to Avoid
  • Fires. Fires can destroy your business quickly and often take a long time to fully recover from. ...
  • Employee Injuries. Accidents can and do occur while your employees are working. ...
  • Business Vehicle Damage. ...
  • Property Damage. ...
  • Personal Injuries. ...
  • Flood and Water Damage. ...
  • Storm Damage. ...
  • Liquor Liability.

What is profit margin of drinks in a bar?

While the average profit margin for a bar is between 10 and 15%, profits are less for those bars that also sell food. Why? Because you'll need to factor in costs other than alcohol that include food costs, costs of running a kitchen, and additional employee costs.

What is the profit margin on soft drinks?

Alcoholic beverages have a 44 percent gross margin, while soft drinks have a 53 percent gross margin, according to research done at NYU's Stern School of Business. Food processors' gross margin is typically 25 percent, while farming and agriculture has a 13 percent gross margin.

How do you calculate pour cost?

Pour cost is calculated by taking the cost of a drink and dividing it by the price of the drink. To calculate total pour costs, take your total inventory usage (or cost of goods sold for beverages) and divide it by your total sales for beverages.