Anyone here own a bar?

[Maleficus]

Trying to do some research into opening up a bar/hangout of my own. I would appreciate some more experienced input into the costs, responsibility, and procedures of running such an establishment. I'm also interested in what a successful bar owner should expect to make money-wise?

This is business is just a thought in my head at this point in time so don't jump all over my case about the lack of detail.

 

[Pugnax]

Bump. I'd like to hear some experiences about this as well.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I don't own a bar but the costs of start up would be substantial and vary greatly only laws in the state considering alcohol laws.

A lot of work lol

 

[BoberFett]

Look up liquor licenses for you state and city, that's the place to start. They're usually damn expensive, and also they're frequently limited to a certain number, so new drinking establishments can't be opened until an old one closes.

 

[AnyMal]

I believe Dave (dmcowen674) owns one.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: BoberFett
Look up liquor licenses for you state and city, that's the place to start. They're usually damn expensive, and also they're frequently limited to a certain number, so new drinking establishments can't be opened until an old one closes.

Exactly...the license is the hardest part of the deal.

One of my best friends in high school/junior college inherited a bar when his father passed.

Almost the same day calls came in if the 'bar' was selling.

We ended up drinking alot of the stock as most bidder's were offering nothing for it.

There are different levels depending on where you live; some allow beer/wine sales if you have a restaurant, but no hard liquor, some limit hours/patrons, etc.

The best way to just have a hangout/bar is convert a room/area of your home and invite friends

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: AnyMal
I believe Dave (dmcowen674) owns one.

Or owned one, until Bush raped his wife and took his bar.

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: BoberFett
Look up liquor licenses for you state and city, that's the place to start. They're usually damn expensive, and also they're frequently limited to a certain number, so new drinking establishments can't be opened until an old one closes.

Most dreams of owning a bar die because of the above reality. At least in MA.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: AnyMal
I believe Dave (dmcowen674) owns one.

Or owned one, until Bush raped his wife and took his bar.

:laugh::beer::laugh:

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: AnyMal
I believe Dave (dmcowen674) owns one.

Or owned one, until Bush raped his wife and took his bar.

Is that when he took up his crusade against the evil Vista?

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Maleficus
Trying to do some research into opening up a bar/hangout of my own. I would appreciate some more experienced input into the costs, responsibility, and procedures of running such an establishment. I'm also interested in what a successful bar owner should expect to make money-wise?

This is business is just a thought in my head at this point in time so don't jump all over my case about the lack of detail.

are you married, or in a relationship? it seems to me relationships eventually suffer when someone runs their own bar.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Maleficus
Trying to do some research into opening up a bar/hangout of my own. I would appreciate some more experienced input into the costs, responsibility, and procedures of running such an establishment. I'm also interested in what a successful bar owner should expect to make money-wise?

This is business is just a thought in my head at this point in time so don't jump all over my case about the lack of detail.

Big difference from opening your own place from scratch Vs buying an existing bar.

When you are starting from scratch you will know the exact costs of the monthly expenses.

In the case of existing bar the people could hide hidden costs or the fact they haven't paid the bills in a year to show on paper they've made a profit but when you take over you'll find out very quickly the bills haven't been paid.

You can't find out ahead of time because since your name is not on the account they will not talk to you but you will sure hear about it from them once you do make the transfer to your name.

So bottom line is that your place will make what the area bears.

If your cost outflow is below what the area bears you are OK.

Good luck

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Maleficus
Trying to do some research into opening up a bar/hangout of my own. I would appreciate some more experienced input into the costs, responsibility, and procedures of running such an establishment. I'm also interested in what a successful bar owner should expect to make money-wise?

This is business is just a thought in my head at this point in time so don't jump all over my case about the lack of detail.

are you married, or in a relationship? it seems to me relationships eventually suffer when someone runs their own bar.

Not if your wife wants the bar as much as you do.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Maleficus
Trying to do some research into opening up a bar/hangout of my own. I would appreciate some more experienced input into the costs, responsibility, and procedures of running such an establishment. I'm also interested in what a successful bar owner should expect to make money-wise?

This is business is just a thought in my head at this point in time so don't jump all over my case about the lack of detail.

are you married, or in a relationship? it seems to me relationships eventually suffer when someone runs their own bar.

Not if your wife wants the bar as much as you do.

there may be exceptions, but on the whole relationships suffer when a bar is brought into them.

and things can always run smoothly for awhile, not that i wish anyone a failed relationship, but right now we can't see down the road.

 

[tw1164]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Maleficus
Trying to do some research into opening up a bar/hangout of my own. I would appreciate some more experienced input into the costs, responsibility, and procedures of running such an establishment. I'm also interested in what a successful bar owner should expect to make money-wise?

This is business is just a thought in my head at this point in time so don't jump all over my case about the lack of detail.

Big difference from opening your own place from scratch Vs buying an existing bar.

When you are starting from scratch you will know the exact costs of the monthly expenses.

In the case of existing bar the people could hide hidden costs or the fact they haven't paid the bills in a year to show on paper they've made a profit but when you take over you'll find out very quickly the bills haven't been paid.

You can't find out ahead of time because since your name is not on the account they will not talk to you but you will sure hear about it from them once you do make the transfer to your name.

So bottom line is that your place will make what the area bears.

If your cost outflow is below what the area bears you are OK.

Good luck

You need to hire better lawyers then you have been.

 

[lightpants]

A really good friend of mine bought a bar about 9 months ago. He had been in the business as a bar manager for about 14 years. The bar/restaurant is doing very well, the patrons that he attracted at his previous jobs followed him to his new place.

Checkers Bistro

He works about 80+ hours a week every week. You have to be prepared to do that to be successful in the bar business.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Maleficus
Trying to do some research into opening up a bar/hangout of my own. I would appreciate some more experienced input into the costs, responsibility, and procedures of running such an establishment. I'm also interested in what a successful bar owner should expect to make money-wise?

This is business is just a thought in my head at this point in time so don't jump all over my case about the lack of detail.

are you married, or in a relationship? it seems to me relationships eventually suffer when someone runs their own bar.

that is a random tangent to inject into this conversation.

 

[Qwest]

Good luck man...

FYI, I read that opening a bar is one of the worst 5 investments you can make.

 

[Uppsala9496]

A relative of mine owned a bar out in Scottsdale. It was successful for a couple of years, however he wasn't at the bar all the time. He found out that the managers and bar staff were skimming money off the top and he eventually sold it. He was in his mid 50's when he owned it (was maybe 10 years ago). He didn't want to be at the bar constantly working/keeping an eye on the help. It was more an investment for him.

From what I was told, the bar staff would take a dollar here and there for every cash transaction. I forget the total that he figured he lost, but it was up there since this happened for a couple of years.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Maleficus
Trying to do some research into opening up a bar/hangout of my own. I would appreciate some more experienced input into the costs, responsibility, and procedures of running such an establishment. I'm also interested in what a successful bar owner should expect to make money-wise?

This is business is just a thought in my head at this point in time so don't jump all over my case about the lack of detail.

are you married, or in a relationship? it seems to me relationships eventually suffer when someone runs their own bar.

that is a random tangent to inject into this conversation.

totally something to consider.

 

[BoomerD]

Never OWNED one, but when I was younger, I made the down payment on a few...in nightly installments...

 

[IceBergSLiM]

I A) securing a location B) securing a liquor liscence C) stocking the bar

the rest works itself out. A bar can range from dive, to elaborate upscale microbrewery.

 

[JulesMaximus]

A bar of what?

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: Uppsala9496
A relative of mine owned a bar out in Scottsdale. It was successful for a couple of years, however he wasn't at the bar all the time. He found out that the managers and bar staff were skimming money off the top and he eventually sold it. He was in his mid 50's when he owned it (was maybe 10 years ago). He didn't want to be at the bar constantly working/keeping an eye on the help. It was more an investment for him.

From what I was told, the bar staff would take a dollar here and there for every cash transaction. I forget the total that he figured he lost, but it was up there since this happened for a couple of years.

If you had the staff do every transaction through a computer register, it should be easy to see where you are coming up short and track down those responsible. Maybe hire a guy or two to go in as a patron and keep an eye out for any bartender that doesn't enter cash orders into the system, and then fire his ass. Some cameras on the bartenders would help, too.

 

[mindmaniac]

Ever watch "It's always sunny in philadelphia"? That should be reason enough why it's an awesome idea, just get some friends involved.