How to Start a Bar

Bars make for a good business idea in part because they are a staple of just about every community. Obviously, bars primarily focus on serving alcohol, but the rise of America’s fascination with “pub grub” means there may be an opportunity to provide delicious food to patrons as well. Finally, bars provide an opportunity to show off your creativity by creating a unique theme and atmosphere that helps your business stand out from the rest.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the process with hands-on support.

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Start a bar by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Bar
  2. Form your Bar into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Bar for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Bar
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Bar
  7. Get Bar Insurance
  8. Define your Bar Brand
  9. Create your Bar Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your bar. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Bar Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a bar?

The startup costs required to open a bar usually depend on its size. For instance, depending on the size and location of the bar, leasing startup costs may range from $110,000 all the way up to $550,000. If you are willing to buy a location and pay the attendant mortgage, the startup costs may range from $175,000 to $850,000. For potential bar owners who want to get started for less, the far more affordable route is to seek out existing bars for sale, which can reduce the cost to as low as $25,000. Another cost involves the requisite licensing, permits, and insurance for the business. These costs can vary from state to state, though it typically costs several thousand dollars.

Read our bar purchasing guide to learn about the materials and equipment you’ll need to start a bar, how much to budget, and where to make purchases.

What are the ongoing expenses for a bar?

A bar’s operating costs are comprised of several different charges. Food and alcohol can be $6,000 a month or more, while an average staff may cost $13,000 a month. The other major cost is rent, which will obviously vary wildly depending on your location. Additionally, a bar starting out may serve little or no special food items, and may have a smaller staff than it will eventually have. Utility charges will also vary based on a number of factors, including your bar’s size, winter vs summer, etc.

Who is the target market?

For bar owners, the best customers are the ones who are not disruptive. Because the basic nature of a bar is to provide an environment for intoxication, owners and staff must always be vigilant for angry, disruptive, and even violent customers. The best customers tend to be those who are just casual drinkers looking to have a good time with friends. Such customers know their limits when it comes to alcohol, and they contribute to the ambiance of community engagement and fun that you are trying to generate for your business.

How does a bar make money?

The primary way that bars make money is just as simple as you’d think: selling alcoholic beverages to customers. While bars typically also offer snacks and occasional entrees, serving alcohol remains the cornerstone of how a bar generates profit. This is because you can earn 200-400% profit off of every drink that you serve, with the average price of drinks being $8. This means that once you have a steady stream of traffic, the bar can begin generating profit much sooner than other types of new businesses.

How much can you charge customers?

To some degree, the amount that you can charge for drinks and food reflects the price of these goods at competing bars in the area. In general, though, you can charge customers between 200-400% more for their wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails than what you paid for them. Ironically enough, one of the best deals for you comes from selling so-called “bottom shelf” liquor, which is effectively marked up over 1,200% relative to its cost. The exact markup is usually dictated by the kinds of products being sold, which is also influenced by your customers and the ambiance you are trying to create. There’s a major tonal difference between an indie craft bar and a friendly hole-in-the-wall, and that dichotomy also applies to pricing.

How much profit can a bar make?

The exact degree of profit your bar can make is determined by the number of customers served (and how many drinks they purchase). On average, bars can earn between $25,000 to $30,000 a week. This is because of the innate profit margin built into the so-called “pour cost” of each drink. Because the cost of any given drink you serve is 20-30% of the cost you actually charge customers, an average $8 drink will typically net you about $6 of profit. With that in mind, it’s easy to see how business can boom once you get a regular stable of customers through the door.

How can you make your business more profitable?

As mentioned above, the primary key to bar profitability is increasing the number of customers. Because of this, most of the other good ideas for boosting profitability center around reducing waste. For example, you could establish rules for wine, such as only opening a certain number of bottles before each shift, and storing bottles in such a way that reduces oxidation. Even being picky about your ice (choosing ice balls, for instance) can help make drinks taste better and last longer.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your bar is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your bar were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

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Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Businesses involved in the sale of alcoholic beverages are required to obtain a liquor license from the appropriate state or local agency.

  • A comprehensive list of laws by state (including necessary licenses, zoning laws, etc), curated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, can be found here.

You will also need licensing from a local health department, because all establishments serving food and/or beverages are required to pass a health inspection. Food establishments are randomly inspected by the local health department on a regular basis. These inspections will check for compliance with local health laws, typically related to prevention of food contamination.

  • Tips for faring well on health inspections can be found here.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Music Licensing

In order to play music in a business setting, permission must be acquired from the composer or license holder. The easiest way to do this is to acquire a “blanket” license allowing your bar to play music owned by a large catalog of artists and recording studios. Such licenses can be obtained from performance rights organizations, such as ASCAP or BMI.

Labor Safety

It is important to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements. Bars are somewhat risky environments for employees, and as such, owners must provide appropriate working conditions.

Certificate of Occupancy

Operating a bar typically requires a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

If you plan to lease a location:

  • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
  • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a bar.
  • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.

If you plan to purchase or build a location:

  • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
  • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Bar needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Bar.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a bar

Some of the ways to market your bar are similar to marketing other businesses. For instance, advertising via television, radio, and print can help make sure everyone hears about your new business. Even more important than traditional advertising in the bar industry is word of mouth. The easiest way to get this is to create social media pages, and also participate as much as you can through services such as Yelp. These platforms provide customers an opportunity to rave about your service, drinks, and ambiance, and these customers will tell their friends. This is more effective than traditional advertising for bars and, best of all, is far cheaper.

How to keep customers coming back

When it comes to attracting customers, the strategies above create an effective combination. In other words, create an advertising push via traditional media, while also fostering word of mouth through social media. Retaining those customers is a bit more tricky. You must maintain competitive pricing with other bars in the area, while also providing something unique to customers they cannot find at other bars. This may be superior service, an innovative theme, or special bar promotions, like live music or trivia nights. Providing a variety of attractions shows regular customers that they can always get entertainment and value from your bar, reducing their need to visit competing bars.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is a good fit for entrepreneurs who are passionate about their work. Those who love interacting with people will thrive on a business that revolves around customer interaction, and those who are good at networking will be able to more quickly jump-start their businesses. Finally, those with previous management experience will have an easier time with the day-to-day activities of a bar owner.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a bar?

Running a bar entails many different duties, though their exact order will vary from day to day. The job often involves navigating a net of legal requirements related to selling alcohol, as well as local ordinances which may impact your business.

Staff management and training is also very important, as your staff represents the face of your business, and your entire reputation stems from the quality of the customer service you provide.

Another major duty is stock control, as this helps to ensure you are not overstocking or understocking, both of which can negatively impact your profits. Determining new drinks to stock and developing custom cocktails for your business should also be part of this process.

Finally, you will need to interview and hire additional personnel as needed. When your business is just starting out, you will likely be the primary person responsible for all of the cleaning and light maintenance work of your bar. Though, you shouldn’t hesitate to call in professionals for costly equipment breakdowns and anything that could affect the health of your patrons.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful bar?

There are many potential skills to assist with opening and running a successful bar. These include prior experience as a manager or business owner, as well as experience in regularly providing maintenance for homes or businesses. Connections to local beer distributors and other business entities can also be vital in helping your bar get off the ground. A formal education is not required to run a bar, but classes or degrees in things like business or hospitality management can help with the bookkeeping and customer service aspects of this business.

What is the growth potential for a bar?

The growth potential for a bar is tied rather directly to the economy. For instance, the industry experienced modest but steady gains as the economy recovered from the recession of 2008, after the year 2009 saw a decrease of over 9% to overall industry revenue. Since then though, the industry has often grown by over 3% each year.

Another factor impacting revenue is an increasing cultural effort to eat (and drink) more healthily. This is one of many reasons that it is important to create a niche environment with a specific ambiance designed to attract specific demographics. People are less likely to drink for the sake of drinking, but like the idea of supporting local business while also socializing with those around them, and a local bar scratches both of those itches.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

How and when to build a team

Unlike many other business types, a bar will need a staff immediately. This is because the nature of the business requires long hours each night. As such, it’s important to have a dedicated staff of bartenders, cooks, and security. You will also need team leaders to run things when you are not around. Because these positions must be filled from the beginning, expanding the team is typically a matter of responding to increasing business. This may include hiring additional personnel to cook food and serve customers, as well as additional security personnel as the bar becomes more crowded, particularly on the weekends.

Read our bar hiring guide to learn about the different roles a bar typically fills, how much to budget for employee salaries, and how to build your team exactly how you want it.

Useful Links

TRUiC Resources

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading