I wonder what the difference in profit margin is between Grey Goose and Smirnoff.

Don't alcohol sales usually thrive during a recession?

I also hear bars are a good way to wash your money. :costumed13

come on over. lol

I wouldn't be surprised if the profit were higher for Smirnoff.

I don't know. I always hear about dive bars doing quite well because they have fantastic loyalty. You always hear of the bartender making great money. Lots of cash. The dive bars you hear about that don't make money you look at and see all sorts of "obvious" reasons why the customers aren't there. Dirty bathrooms, lack of entertainment, no community feeling, etc.

I've known a couple successful bars and the owners/managers of each were very charismatic, very hands-on, and the loyal clientele absolutely loved them. If I were to ever start or buy a bar I know the perfect guy to run it... he has had great success with running bars, he is just an idiot with money.

I hear ya, for a small bar the people working there are the key.
A good bartender will bring in people from his/her former gig also.

Hey, one day I will take you up on that offer.

YeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! :1orglaugh

I would asume it's the same for both. (or close)

Say it's 10%

10% of a 2 dollar shot is 20 cents
10% of a 6 dollar shot is 60 cents

You have free liquor bars where you live?

Plan on being very hands on in running it, if you want to make anything. Bartended in one off and on for years, and the owner of more than 30 years is one of my best rt friends.

He still works some every day that it is open.

Not only will you need to keep an eye on help that will steal you blind, you can't overlook the cost of liability insurance.

One drink served to the wrong person who goes out and kills someone else can wipe you out.

Why does it seem that a lot of people seem to be associating the idea of a bar with a nightclub?

Seems to me that many nightclubs must reinvent themselves all of the time to keep the young clientele in the place. Would be a pain in the ass wanting or needing to stay current with the current crop of 21 to 29 year olds all of the time with emphasis on the 21-25 market.

Whereas a small dive bar or hole in the wall that was not a run down scary place with toxic toilets and stuff, always seem to have massive staying power. Especially if they take care of a small group of patrons typically from nearby businesses. Add in some quality grub and keep it the opposite of a meat market and it seems these things never close.

Hell I would do it myself but there are no liquor licenses available around here, even no lotteries for them any time soon. Hell traderjoes had to pay a fucking arm and a leg to buy one off of someone else here - like an obscene amount.

Burritos, Frozen Margarita Pitchers, free chips and salsa, acoustic music on the patio, good location.You can't lose. Get the soap opera ladies in for lunch (they love free chips and the oh so healthy taco salad).

in a downturn there will be some businesses that make it and some don't. some people rather start their business in a downturn (if they have the cash and resources to keep it going for a few years) because of the low costs and so on.

if you really want to, and you do have the cash to keep it going for a few years and wouldnt mind losing it, then go ahead. just be more creative and not like any tom or dick or harry's pub that can be found in every neighbourhood.

good luck

A trendy nightclub is a risk.
A smaller neighborhood bar catering to alcoholics would be a long term business because
unfortunately alcoholism doesn't go out of style.

Dont charge too much

It doesn't work that way.

A $2.00 shot has a cost of $1.00 tops unless it's a "loss leader" just to get
people in the door.

Typically a $1.00 cost turns into a $3.00 shot.

So there is the problem with expensive booze, you are looking at $2.xx cost which
goes to a $5 shot. You don't want to run people away by charging $6, $7 or $8 for
a shot.

So selling one $5 shot instead of two $3 shots is less money taken in and less
profit margin on the intake.

Well now you have me curious.

Check this thread and forum out, looks like some good info: http://www.nightclub-business.com/fo...ead.php?t=6092

You may be right ? I own a few bars /Restaurants / Cafes, and i've seen profits rise in the last 8 months about 25%. Normally during the winter months ( a freezing 75 F . today here in San Diego) takings are reduced by as much as 40%, so im guessing there are more people drowning their sorrows ?

Last Bar/Restaurant i brought for around $120,000 and spent $325,000 on the remodel. Payback is going to be 5 years on this one.

nah... more problems = more drinking!

Depends... If you have money to launder I'd say go for it.

If you have 1 million to burn then give it a try.

If you are opening a bar to make money... Make sure you have a profitable day job...

yep, cheap beer and whiskey. and have sirloin specials on wedendays...


edit- are you near any colleges?

small niche bar is winner :)

You are very close to crossing the line and getting banned for a death threat.

Consider this a warning

Strike 1