As a career change running your own bar might be a little bit of a change. If you’ve got the money behind you to set one up or you fancy taking over a pub then there are a few ways you can look to make it successful as possible. It requires a very serious amount of thought and undertaking to run a bar but with the right amount of preparation of research you can get it right. Here are a few pointers for you.
Bars are famous for their selection of cocktails and it is important not to let the menu get boring. Every couple of months, change your draught beers and still make room for some local brews. You can also import wines from numerous wineries to ring the shifts. You could even look at becoming a bar that deals in Mixology, making incredible artisan drinks. Utilising Organic Vanilla Extract from Foodie Flavours for example could get you a whole new audience. For your drinks, being imaginative will really boost your credibility. Adopt it as your signature cocktail when you hit on something really special.
Ensure that all the machinery, especially beer lines, is kept in good working order and is cleaned regularly. Your provider of draught soft drinks will be able to provide cooling facilities to keep your products in perfect condition.
Alcohol can be harmful and you need to ensure that all your workers are qualified in their responsible service, such as refusing to serve an adversely affected client. Ensure that all regulatory provisions, both national and local, are understood and that you comply with these requirements.
Stocking a wine bar for repeat customers
A wine bar can carry a much larger range of wines than a traditional pub, but building the list can feel daunting. Keep a few reliable staples and rotate the rest, so regulars always find something new and you keep your own enthusiasm for good wine. If you are leasing from a brewery, check the contract for buying restrictions. Being tied to their supply can limit your range and squeeze your margins on beer, spirits and draught soft drinks too.
Keeping things local helps. Local beers, locally sourced food and even local music create an inviting atmosphere, and regulars, who mostly live nearby, are often happier to support businesses from their own community. That can give an independent bar an edge over the big chains.
Do not overlook soft drinks. If designated drivers are not well looked after, the people they came with will not stay long either. Soft drinks also tend to carry the biggest mark-up, so choosing a good draught supplier matters as much as choosing your wine merchant.
Summary
This article gives pointers for someone considering running their own bar. It advises regularly changing draught beers and wines, experimenting with cocktails to build a signature drink, keeping beer lines and machinery clean and well maintained, and making sure staff are trained in responsible alcohol service while understanding local and national licensing requirements.
Questions this article raises
- How much capital is typically needed to take over or set up a bar?
- What licensing requirements apply to serving alcohol responsibly?
- How often should beer lines be cleaned to stay compliant?
