How to Start a Martini Bar Business

From martini bars to speakeasies and craft beer brewers, specialty bars have gained popularity over the last decade. A martini bar specializes in martinis, offering everything from the basics to exotic, creative masterpieces.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

DIY: How to Start an LLC

Start a martini bar business by following these 10 steps:

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

We have put together this simple guide to starting your martini bar business. 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 Martini Bar Business 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 martini bar business?

Your initial costs depend upon a number of factors, including location, local rules and regulations regarding a liquor license, the location you choose, and required renovations to the building. Depending upon your geographical location, a liquor license can cost anywhere from $15,000 to over $500,000. Once this has been obtained, you will need to make any necessary alterations to your new building, decorate, invest in a point-of-sale (POS) system, and stock the shelves with glassware and liquor. Start-up costs for a martini bar range from $100,000 to $1.5 million, with an average of $400,000. New investors are encouraged to over-capitalize, adding 20% to their initial budget.

What are the ongoing expenses for a martini bar business?

Payroll and inventory costs represent the greatest portion of a martini bar’s monthly budget. The establishment must be well-maintained and kept on a regular cleaning schedule. A strong marketing strategy will ensure a steady flow of business, and business insurance will protect your business should a loss or event occur.

Who is the target market?

James Bond’s infamous “shaken, not stirred” catchphrase helped put the martini on the map, earning it the title of America’s classic cocktail. While the “three martini lunch” was most prevalent among America’s wealthiest in the 1950s, drinkers of every age and profession now enjoy this clean and refreshing drink. Patrons of your martini bar will span every age group and social backgrounds. Their love of the cocktail and desire to patronize a unique bar is what will bring martini lovers to your bar.

How does a martini bar business make money?

A martini bar makes money from the sale of each martini. Many specialty bars now offer additional services, such as games, live entertainment, and/or food.

How much can you charge customers?

With mixology’s rise in popularity, customer’s have become accustomed to spending more than usual on a unique drink. A martini costs anywhere from $12 to $20, depending upon geographical location, ongoing expenses, and cost of ingredients.

How much profit can a martini bar business make?

While owning a bar can be quite lucrative, it can take several years to turn a profit. Successful owners report an average revenue of $1 million annually. Once expenses are deducted, this can yield a significant profit, particularly for entrepreneurs who keep detailed records and minimize ongoing expenses wherever possible.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Gain visibility in the community and maximize profits by hosting special events and/or live entertainment. Branded merchandise will help generate more revenue and ensure your business is advertised every time the item is worn. Additionally, a limited food menu will keep your patrons full and bellied up to the bar as long as possible.

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 martini bar business 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 martini bar business 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.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC 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.

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.

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 martini bar business

With a diverse target market, your marketing strategy should cross several platforms. Traditional marketing strategies, such as radio, television, and printed advertisements will reach the older audience. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will help spread the word with the younger generations. Cocktail competitions are a unique way to gain visibility within the community, attracting the industry’s top mixologists.

How to keep customers coming back

No amount of money spent on advertising will yield more than word of mouth. Surround yourself with a team that is devoted to delivering top-notch service and quality drinks. This, coupled with an environment that is both eccentric and welcoming, will help your martini bar gain a loyal following.

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?

Owning a bar, regardless of its niche, requires dedication and hard work. The entrepreneur with a vision, drive, and a passion for serving the people of their community are best suited for this business venture.

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 martini bar business?

Contrary to popular belief, the martini bar owner’s day starts early. Before the bar opens, nightly reports are reviewed, accounting and other administrative duties are handled, inventory is counted, shelves are restocked, and supplies are ordered. The building must be cleaned and any maintenance issues are addressed. While the bar is making a name for itself within the community, marketing and advertising will also be an integral part of a bar owner’s day. Once the bar is open for the day, you and your staff will create cocktails, interact with customers, and handle any issues that might arise.

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

To set yourself up for success, it is imperative that you understand your strengths and weaknesses. If your strength is behind the bar making drinks, hire a bar manager with extensive experience to oversee the day-to-day activities. If accounting or marketing is your strength, make this your focus and hire professionals to do the rest. Regardless of your business model, strong interpersonal skills and a sound understanding of current and emerging business trends will ensure your martini bar draws in customers night after night.

What is the growth potential for a martini bar business?

The rise in popularity of mixology over the last decade offers a unique opportunity for the entrepreneur looking to enter the industry. Whether you envision growing on a local or national scale, a commitment to your vision, a unique atmosphere, and quality drinks will help you meet your growth goals.

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.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a martini bar business?

In many areas of the country, obtaining a liquor license is the most costly and difficult investment. Involvement in the community, including town hall meetings, can help speed up this process. Put yourself in their shoes, listen to the concerns, and be open and honest with what you are trying to accomplish.

The hospitality industry offers a rare glimpse at the outside world. You will encounter all walks of life and experience things you never dreamed of. Prepare for the worst, and plan for the best.

How and when to build a team

Due to the legalities that come with owning a bar, new business owners are encouraged to build a team of professionals from the start. This should include an attorney, accountant, and a qualified bar manager. Since your bartenders are the face of the company and will be concocting drinks for your patrons, you will want to hire individuals with strong interpersonal skills and a passion for mixology. A training manual and cocktail recipe book will ensure consistency and quality.

Useful Links

Real World Examples