i am thinking about opening a beer bar, any advice?

[nynor]

advice, warnings, its all welcome.

i've been wanting to do this for a LONG time, 15 years or more.

i am thinking it would be close to the university, as there isn't a single beer bar near it, nor is there a full service bar or club. i would serve only beer, no liquor (liquor licenses are absolutely non-existent in utah and they are talking about altering the state constitution (!) in order to allow for more) and some simple foods like fries, hot wings, frozen pizzas, whatever. a couple or three pool tables, wifi, jukebox, with the goal of keeping it simple.

[Steve Viegas]

Keep it small (but large enough to be profitable).

Hire smartly. It is amazing how much I prefer to go to places with a beautiful wait staff.

Know your audience. If you are near a university, best to keep sell reasonably priced beers, not primium stuff.

Good grub at a reasonable price will keep people coming back.

[M.D. Holloway]

Ya...don't do it. It is every mans dream (like screwing a supermodel) but those that do/have find out very quickly that certain dreams should be left between the ears.

There are better and funner ways to make money. Find your self a good pub and visit every so often. Have one for me while your at it!

[onlycafe]

lots of liability insurance. good luck, sounds like a great idea.

[M.D. Holloway]

BTW - if your in SLC, there is a reason why there are not many if any bars around...three letters...BYU

[Burnin' oil]

Can you locate it next to Big Eds?

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by nynor

.....i am thinking it would be close to the university, as there isn't a single beer bar near it, nor is there a full service bar or club....

A lot of times there is a reason for this.

You need to do some research and find out if it has been tried in the past, how often.

As counter intuitive as it sounds, competition in a given geographical area can be a good thing.

Ever notice where there is a McDonalds there is a Burger King or Wendy's. Fast food joints tend to be congregated in close proximity.

It shows the area can support a certain type of business.

People like choices. Consumers opt to go to places/parts of town that offer variety.

[Rich76_911s]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

BTW - if your in SLC, there is a reason why there are not many if any bars around...three letters...BYU

BYU is in Provo not in SLC. University of Utah is in SLC, and has a population of drinkers I'm sure.

My only suggestion for opening a bar is offer free peanuts and let everyone chuck the shells on the floor. I always feel at home when I can throw stuff on the floor and not worry about it

[goat]

Dito What stomachmonkey says.
Sonoma State University lobbied enough power to close down a local pub eatery because it was across the street!
Otherwise you better start sampling many micro brews.
Even though fried food is popular they are messy but I guess these days a bio-fuel people would be willing to take the stuff off your hands.

[pwd72s]

Depends on whether or not you want to make money. One successful bar I know of caters to pool players. Every night of the week, league pool or a tournament is going on. Jakes Bar & Grill, Salem, OR...do your own web search. They keys are good bar food, and well maintained bar size pool tables.

(edit) The key is, you gotta have a gimmick to draw the crowds. Don't think the bar you described will survive. Also, you'd better like long 12-14 hour work days with very little time off.

[p911dad]

A verrry important aspect is the owner/operator needs to keep tight control of the cash and inventory, preferably running the cash register himself, or have someone super trustworthy in that capacity. Also, beer going out the back door will kill your business over time.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by gmeteer

A verrry important aspect is the owner/operator needs to keep tight control of the cash and inventory, preferably running the cash register himself, or have someone super trustworthy in that capacity. Also, beer going out the back door will kill your business over time.

+1.

There are more ways to fleece bar than maybe any other business. Know who you are hiring and keep them under a watchful eye. If I were tending your bar. I have a choice I can make. I can pour honest and make a few tips. I can pour some freebies and make a lot more tips. You decide how my motivation works.

A bar of any kind is not a playpen. It's all business all the time or you're out of business in no time.

[pwd72s]

Many people are successful in the bar biz...but it's sure one I'd not be interested in.

[Seahawk]

The replies have been spot on. My gratuitous warnings, cautions, etc:

Taxes and the tax man. If you want to own your own business, make the tax burden and business taxation requirements part of your business plan: federal, state and local. Know in advance what you will owe and when.

Many small businesses fail solely on ignoring their tax posture and responsibilities.

Accounting/CPA/Tax Accountant: Get one, find one part time. Make sure they know payroll, etc. Do not do your own taxes!!!

Lease everything in the beginning. That way, should you go sneakers up your fixed liability is low.

College towns wither in the summer...do not expect a buoyant market.

All that and more.

Best of luck should you take the plunge...you are a brave man, Sir Robin.

[myamoto1]

One of the beer only bars back in NY had a great gimmick. They catered towards true beer drinkers. Not the ones looking to get smashed, but the ones that enjoyed analyzing the beer and tasting as many different beers as possible. To do this, they had a computer which tracked every beer you had ever had there - any tasting notes, etc you had written. When you get to the bar, you head back to the computer, log in and print out your beer sheet (updated w/ the night's choices). After 500 beers, you got your own mug. After 1000 beers, you got your mug engraved w/ whatever you wanted. after 1,500 you got a plack above your mug hook.

The place is pretty small and didn't offer much in terms of food. However, this kept the local drunks out, you're party binge drinkers, etc. It almost became like a private smoking club, but for people who really enjoyed beer.

[TechnoViking]

I know nothing of the restaurant business. But as a marketing expert of sorts, I encourage you to ask yourself these questions:

What will your business provide that others in the area do not provide?
Why is that service not being provided already?
Is your idea defendable, or is it easily copied by your competitors?
Do you have any experience or knowledge that will allow you to manage your business better than others in the area?


Remember, economic profits go to the innovator. If you have no innovation it will be hard to make any real money no matter what the business.

[TechnoViking]

Originally Posted by myamoto1

they had a computer which tracked every beer you had ever had there - any tasting notes, etc you had written. When you get to the bar, you head back to the computer, log in and print out your beer sheet (updated w/ the night's choices). After 500 beers, you got your own mug....

We have a pizza chain in Colorado called Old Chicago that does that. It's a good way to build loyalty.

[chuckr]

3 Docs Brewhouse | Ruston, Louisiana
This place just opened up near me. 3 doctors, one MD two PHD's own it. They wanted a place
that had good beer, they got it !
It is walking distance from a university, no food, live music, pool tables, darts.
Don't know if they will make it or not, too soon to tell, but I'm giving them all the business I can.

[scottmandue]

Many businesses I would like to go into... owning a bar is not one of them.

Not many bars near USC... however they have a bar on campus in Long Beach... go figure.

If you do open a beer bar... install pay toilets.

[Cornpanzer]

We have a small craft beer bar that opened up here in Dayton a couple of years ago. Its a fantastic little place. Serves great homemade pizza as well as wings.

They usually have about 16 craft beers on tap plus all the more traditional beers in bottles.

The great part of the business model is that the taps are in constant flux. This motivates the audience to return week after week to see what is new. (as opposed to having the same stuff on tap every week = no reason to go to your bar instead of someone else serving the same stuff).

They also have special tappings where they bring in one keg of something really special on a set night and tap it at a specific time. They send out emails to those on the mailing list and via twitter. This packs people in!

I think its a great model. Craft beers, simple food (you have to eat when you are drinking 8 and 9% beer) and a bright clean atmosphere.

Lousy website, but a great bar. South Park Tavern | Dayton's Best Pizza, Entertainment, And Handcrafted Beers on Tap!