Can you make money with a small bar?

Asked by: Merritt Funk  |  Last update: September 24, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (21 votes)

In the future, you might want to look into franchising and moving into larger locations. However, a good place to start is with a small location that suits your needs without breaking the bank. In a small bar, your average bar profit is about the same as any other bar, as long as your marketing is on point.

How much money does a small bar make?

The average bar revenue is $27,500 per month, which translates to an average of $330,000 annual revenue. Average monthly bar expenses are $24,200. That leaves about $39,600 net profit annually. A bar owner's yearly salary will be drawn from, or be, the bar's net profit margin.

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.

Are bar owners rich?

Although the average bar owner salary is $70,000, the amount that you will be able to pay yourself as a bar owner varies widely depending on your startup costs, revenue potential, gross profit margins, and operating expenses.

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.

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.

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 much profit does a bar make per drink?

In general, pour costs can range from 15% (for premium spirits) to 28% (for wine). Beer generally has a pour cost of 24%. As a rule of thumb, you will want to aim for a pour cost of 20%. This will help to generate the 80% profit margin that is the benchmark of a well-run bar.

What percent of bars are profitable?

Most bars aim for a profit margin of around 80 percent. In fact, the overall average gross profit margin for bars is about 75% . The key to reaching that number is to measure and control your pour costs. Pour cost is an essential benchmark for your bar's profitability.

How do you run a bar?

How to Run a Bar – 10 Tips to Running a Bar Successfully
  1. Scope out other bars.
  2. Ensure your finances are in top shape.
  3. Optimize your bar layout.
  4. Establish relationships with neighbors.
  5. You can't survive on the weekend alone.
  6. Stress hospitality.
  7. Don't skip out on inventory planning.
  8. Keep your drink menu simple.

Are college bars profitable?

One of the best demographics that you can choose if you want to make a lot of money with your bar is the 21 to 30 year old crowd. Overall, they tend to go out more often and they aren't afraid to spend a lot of their cash. For this reason, opening a bar on a college campus can be very profitable.

What is the profit margin on a liquor store?

However, you may not be able to take on too much inventory if you're looking for higher-end brands and varieties than other stores. Your liquor store profit margin will typically be between 20% and 30%. These profit margins are in line with averages from other retail businesses.

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 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.

How do open bars make money?

In addition, restaurants that have an open bar night typically have cover charges, where patrons pay a fee at the door. For an open bar to be profitable, the amount collected from food purchases and the cover charge must bring in enough cash to pay back the alcohol and supply costs, as well as pay the restaurant staff.

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!

How do I make my bar successful?

How To Run A Successful Bar
  1. Visit Other Bars To Get Ideas. Make a list of local bars that you've had great and awful experiences in. ...
  2. Provide Great Hospitality. ...
  3. Train Your Staff To Upsell. ...
  4. Keep Your Drink Menu Simple. ...
  5. Create A Signature Drink. ...
  6. Measure Your Liquor. ...
  7. Host Happy Hour And Special Events. ...
  8. Keep Track Of Transactions.

What makes a bar the best?

Service, décor, atmosphere, drinks selection and food, or at least bar snacks, all contribute to make a good bar but within those broad headings it is numerous small things that contribute to make a truly great bar. What follows is something of a check list.

Is a bar owner an entrepreneur?

Often, bar owners are successful entrepreneurs who have dreamed of owning a venue and leveraging their business expertise to manage their operation.

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.