How to Open a Bar

Step 3: Get Ready to Advertise

Once you know what kind of bar you're looking to open, you can create a marketing plan. Websites and social media are low-cost means of spreading the word; when properly managed, they can be used to build relationships with customers and give your business a positive reputation. You should advertise your bar before its grand opening to ensure potential customers know about the new venue; make sure to set a firm opening date so they know when to visit.

Step 4: Manage Your Bar's Money

Creating a budget for your new bar will help you determine the amount of money to procure for opening a bar. This will depend largely on whether you're acquiring an existing business or starting from scratch. Most projects end up being more expensive than originally expected because of unanticipated setbacks, such as legal obstacles and construction delays. It might take a while for your establishment to break even and longer still for it to become profitable.

Your budget should account for operating costs, licenses and permits, wages, and any food or alcohol products. If possible, pad your budget with more funds than you anticipate needing.²

Step 5: Finish Your Bar Business Plan

Now you're ready to write out a business plan. If you also don't have the necessary capital to pay for your bar, you will need to fund your business through business partners, investors, or loans. You'll need your well-crafted plan to show any potential investors. The U.S. Small Business Administration provides a more in-depth look at writing a business plan.³

• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Ice makers
• Frozen drink machines
• Commercial blenders
• Sinks
• Storage: cabinets, shelving, racks

• Bar garnish caddies
• Speed rails
• Glassware: beer glasses, wine glasses, specialty glasses
• Wine service supplies
• Liquor pourers
• Underbar equipment
• Optional: Glass chillers

Equipment that keeps your drinks fresh and cold is crucial to your bar. Purchasing quality refrigerators and ice makers is the best way to avoid warm drinks, which are unacceptable in a bar setting. Back-of-house and underbar refrigerators—as well as back-bar units, bottle coolers, and wine refrigerators—will keep beverages at ideal serving temperatures.

With several different types of ice available from commercial ice makers, finding the right one for your drinks can elevate your guests' experiences. Larger cubes are great for presenting high-end liquors and have a large surface area, which sustains cooling and slows melting. Half-cube ice is better for soft drinks, while nugget and flake ice both work well in frozen cocktails.

Glass chillers can elevate your drinks even further. Couple a glass chiller with a draft beer system to cultivate a loyal customer base, capitalizing on the growing popularity of craft beers.

Having the right Underbar Equipment will streamline service and make your bartenders' jobs much easier. From drainboards to sinks with blender dumps, it's important to have accessibility to water and drains. You'll also want to ensure plenty of glass storage is available, whether it comes in the form of cabinets, shelves, or hanging racks.

A soda gun and filler station will eliminate the need for soda bottles and cans, freeing up valuable bar space. An ice bin/cocktail unit is another vital piece of underbar equipment, and some models have a convenient sink to help keep the bar area tidy.

Investing in a couple speed rails for holding your most popular liquors will keep those frequently used spirits within easy reach for quick service. Underbar glass washers significantly reduce the labor required to keep a steady supply of at-the-ready glassware. Bottle cap catchers and openers also speed up bottled beer service.

Commercial blenders are critical components in any bar setup. Most bars also need frozen drink machines for margaritas and daiquiris. The temperature at which alcohol freezes depends on the proof of the liquor: the higher the proof, the lower the freezing point. Before purchasing equipment, check the unit's spec sheets to determine whether it will be suitable for frozen alcoholic drinks. Almost all bars, however, will need to invest in at least one quality drink blender. You want to make sure the blender is rated for crushing ice; many brands have models with powerful motors and specialized ice-crushing blades.

Merchandising liquor displays can add a visual element to your bar, but you'll need to verify you have a variety of drinkware designed specifically for the spirits you plan to serve. Rocks, high ball, pilsner, and shot glasses, as well as beer mugs and pitchers, can be placed on shelves for aesthetic effect. Likewise, stemmed glassware for wine, martinis, and margaritas can be hung by the stem in wire or wooden racks for display and easy access. Bucket servers, coolers, carafes, and stoppers can enhance wine service.

Liquor portion control pourers help control inventory by metering the amount of liquor that comes out in one pour, preventing wasted profits from improper pouring. There are some specifications as to how these pour units can be used, so make sure to check local codes when using store-and-pour containers for storage.

Adding finishing touches to cocktails can be done efficiently and stylishly with bar top dispensers. Specialty spoons and muddlers help prepare leaves for mojitos and oranges for old fashioneds, while signature margaritas are completed with glass rimmers.

Finally, you'll need to equip your wait and bar staff with the items they need to best serve their customers. Ensure your wait staff has cash carriers, trays, and coin holders to establish a smooth payment process.