People have gathered in bars for centuries. And all across the United States, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, people are still gathering in bars to wash the day away, socialize with friends and colleagues, or to just take the edge off before they head home to face the family.
No matter the reason, people love a comfortable bar atmosphere. And if you’re a bar owner or if you’re considering throwing your hat into the ring, you really have to know the business to be successful.
Further, running a bar isn’t for the timid or faint of heart. In fact, the bar industry can be rough at times. But it can be just as rewarding if you have a sound plan for making it a place that people want to gather.
If you’re looking to build a successful bar business, here we’ll explore a few powerful tools that can help you meet your goals.
The Bartender
First thing’s first. You can’t have a bar without a bartender. And if you have the wrong bartender you could be asking for trouble.
A good bartender is going to have several years of experience behind them. And if they don’t, this is an application that you need to overlook. Because one thing you don’t want is a young bartender who can’t tell if someone has had too much to drink, or one who’s afraid to check an I.D..
If you’re going to have a successful bar, your bartenders need to be engaging, outgoing people-pleasers who will know how to show your guests a good time. They’ll learn your guests’ names quickly, and they’ll have their usual cocktail ready for them before they ever sit down to ask.
The key takeaway here is that if you want a successful bar, start with a proper bartender.
Don’t be Ordinary
All across the country there are bars with seemingly no allure. These locations are also known as dives. But if you’ve ever been to a dive bar you’ll understand one central fact–they’re all offering a unique experience.
Dive bars have what no other bars have, and this is character. In fact, it’s often the characters that frequent these dives which give them their charm. But you’d never know it until you enter to see what they have to offer and experience it firsthand.
If you want to be successful, whether you’re opening a corner bar or a large establishment with a big neon sign, you have to have an element of authenticity that will attract people. And you can achieve this goal by several methods.
For example, maybe you’ll have a free shot Thursday where every third drink you buy you can have a free well shot. Or if you don’t want to deal with a drunken crowd, consider offering tasty infused desserts with Rum or other liqueurs that no other place around has.
Hosting Entertainment
No matter where you’re located, chances are there is a healthy demand for live entertainment. And correspondingly, there are also musicians and artisans of every type within communities across the country just waiting to showcase their skills.
Having live entertainment brings in a crowd that you might not see otherwise. And this is because entertainers of all kinds usually have followings that will come just to view them while they perform.
For example, perhaps you want to showcase live music on Friday nights. If this is the case, you can usually expect an above average customer count inside your establishment. And this is your time to shine. Because when new patrons see what you have to offer, they’ll probably tell a friend or two. So try to be prepared.
Running a bar can offer you one of the most bizarre lifestyles around. But beyond the late nights and the smell of tequila on your shirt, this lifestyle can also lead to a long and rewarding career as a bar owner if you follow the right strategy.
