Owning a Bar

[moe.ron]

me and some brothers of mine were thinking bout pulling our financial resources together and buying this bar that we used to hang out with. I remmember going to that bar and thinking this place got a lot of potential if only the owner had the right mind set. now i've herd that he is thinking about selling it and we're thinking about it.

Now here is the question, what does owning a bar entail? This is one of those resturant/bar kind of gigs. Basically, after around 9 o'clock, the place still serve food but it basically become a bar. Are looking at intense capital inflow and very little outflow in the begiining. I was also thinking of turning it not only just another bar, also where live music plays, and maybe even an open mic and poetry reading during the middle of the week. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[AlphaSigOU]

Running a bar ain't as easy as it's cracked up to be... depending on where you live you are under the rules, regulations and restrictions of the community and state your establishment is located.

In many states, the definition of a bar or tavern is anytime an establishment has over 51% of sales devoted to alcoholic beverages. This is usually the harder and more expensive type of liquor license to get, unless the bar owner transfers his license over with the sale of the establishment.

There are, of course, restrictions not only based on age but also the days and times alcohol may be sold and served. And to keep you on your toes, the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents and local police send undercover and underage people to see if they get served. One too many violations and your bar could get closed down. Even worse, 'dram shop' laws could make you liable if your bar sold the drink that caused someone to drive drunk and kill someone in an accident.

There are several books out there that give the lowdown on how to successfully manage a bar; unforntunately I don't recall the titles off the top of my head right this minute.

Don't let all this negativity discourage you from pursuing your goal of owning it if you're interested... just be sure to know the bartender/owner has much more responsibility than what is commonly perceived by the general public.

[Optimist Prime]

Everyone talks about buying a bar with their friends. Everyone also talks about practicing intramural sports with their friends. No one ever buys a bar, but they always show up at the park, wondering where their friends are.

[moe.ron]

yeah, but this time we're bunch of guys pushing into their 30s with money and business experience. Damn, pushing into our 30s, scary.

[agger_rob]

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
Everyone talks about buying a bar with their friends. Everyone also talks about practicing intramural sports with their friends. No one ever buys a bar, but they always show up at the park, wondering where their friends are.

I read somewhere "everyone at some poit in college, people have been sitting around drinking beer and decided they should open a bar together. Everyone also thinks that their life would make a great TV show." I wish I could remember where I read that.

[Kevin]

I work with a guy that has been a bartender and liquor salesman. Most bars fail. Be able to have the financial resources not to make a profit for the first 3 years if you want to be successful. If you think about it (or at least in my experience) I never see bars last a very long time without changing ownership, etc.

[lifesaver]

Originally posted by ktsnake
I work with a guy that has been a bartender and liquor salesman. Most bars fail. Be able to have the financial resources not to make a profit for the first 3 years if you want to be successful. If you think about it (or at least in my experience) I never see bars last a very long time without changing ownership, etc.

Or their name. Kinda like primeco, er, voiceStream, er, TMobile.