Opening a bar is a popular choice when it comes to people starting their own business. The hospitality industry manages to do well for itself, as the public will always want somewhere to enjoy their Friday night drinks after a long working week.
However, this doesn’t mean that all bars or restaurants are guaranteed success. On the contrary, a lot of these places don’t last beyond a few years, so if you’re thinking about running your own bar, consider these five things first.
1.Location
It’s all about visibility! A hidden gem down a little side-street can see success, but ensuring that people know where you are is vital. If you’re starting out, you need customers to know where you are, therefore choosing a good location is important. It’s not just about being seen by the right people, either. If the location you choose has no use for a bar or has too many already, then you may find yourself struggling to get patrons through the door. Think carefully about where you want to open and if this location will work in your favour.
2. Design
You don’t have to hire the best interior designer in the country, but your bar’s décor should fit in with your brand. If you’re going for a classic, country pub atmosphere, then choose exposed beams and, if possible, add in a fireplace. Pick warm colours to paint your walls and deck it out with comfortable armchairs and sofas. Alternatively, if you want to establish a trendy city bar, stock with craft beers and opt for minimalist design choices.
3. Equipment
Make sure you have bought everything you need to run your bar efficiently before you open. This will enable you and your staff to provide speedy, top-quality service to every customer that comes through the door. This doesn’t just mean cocktail shakers, cutlery and glassware, though. Things like gas canisters will be essential for your beer kegs and other carbonated drinks you serve on tap.
For this, find a trusted bottled gas supplier who will be able to keep you in stock. Do your research and make an extensive list of all the equipment you’ll need to run a bar.
4. Market Research
As with any business, you will need to carry out market research before you open. If you’re opening a new bar in a town or a city, you will have a lot of competition. Look at how you can make your establishment different to the others that are already open. Is there a niche market out there that you can provide for? Think about what your speciality can be and how you can implement that into your business model.
5. Staff
Once you have everything set up and ready to go, you will finally need to hire staff. Find people that are sociable and hospitable themselves, as these personalities are ideal for the job. They will interact with customers comfortably and help make people feel at home. If your staff are rude or uninterested in what they’re doing, it will put people off coming back to your bar.