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SoCzNedoK
Joined: 03 Jul 2005
Posts: 2332
Location: Rock Hill, SC |
thinking about opening a bar
Anyone had any experience owning or operating a bar/restaurant? There's a local spot that is closing down, location and clientele seem good and I'm thinking of renting it, anyone have any advice?
Last edited by SoCzNedoK on Fri Oct 04, 2013 9:53 am; edited 1 time in total
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Wed Sep 25, 2013 10:37 pm |
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SoCzNedoK
Joined: 03 Jul 2005
Posts: 2332
Location: Rock Hill, SC |
I've been in the resturant/bar industry for 9 years. 5 years as a bartender, 1 year managing. just wondering if anyone here has tried opening a restaurant/bar and has any input.
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Wed Sep 25, 2013 11:40 pm |
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Paper_Boy
Joined: 28 Sep 2000
Posts: 3587
Location: penis |
Dont skimp on promoters or bouncers!
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 2:10 am |
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turtleman@can
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Posts: 8841
Location: Canada |
owning bars is for rich people who don't mind losing money for a fun endeavor. 9/10 bars go out of business and it really doesn't matter what you do as an owner - you have very little control over it's success.
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:17 am |
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TheDRAX
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 1906
Location: Dallas, Texas |
quote:
Originally posted by turtleman@can
owning bars is for rich people who don't mind losing money for a fun endeavor. 9/10 bars go out of business and it really doesn't matter what you do as an owner - you have very little control over it's success.
qft -
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:37 am |
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Fast Luck
Joined: 11 Oct 2001
Posts: 22805
Location: Penis |
quote:
Originally posted by Paper_Boy
Dont skimp on promoters or bouncers!
lol
_________________
i zero bagged your mother
quote:
Originally posted by Fast Luck
hassan-i-asher: majorin in takin pictures
dreamin bout wayne from catalina wine mixers
listen little friend stay outta the deep end
cuz you're less street than vampire weekend
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:15 am |
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Ywfn
Joined: 30 May 2001
Posts: 3833
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Lol the bars around here make millions a year. Probably depends on the area but it seems silly to say the owner has little control. The bars that struggle clearly make bad policy decisions compared to those that don't. If I was in a position to buy a bar that was doing well already, I'd do it.
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:15 am |
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turtleman@can
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Posts: 8841
Location: Canada |
quote:
Originally posted by Ywfn
Lol the bars around here make millions a year. Probably depends on the area but it seems silly to say the owner has little control. The bars that struggle clearly make bad policy decisions compared to those that don't. If I was in a position to buy a bar that was doing well already, I'd do it.
It's hard to gauge your demographic, let alone all of the shit you have to deal with when you own a place where anybody can come in off the street to get wrecked. I'm not saying don't do it but it's not something that I'd venture into unless I either didn't give a fuck about losing a lot of money or I was 100% committed to the idea.
although if the place was already successful in your case then of course.. But we're talking about buying a bar that's failed and turning it around.
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:40 am |
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TheDRAX
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 1906
Location: Dallas, Texas |
quote:
Originally posted by Ywfn
Lol the bars around here make millions a year. Probably depends on the area but it seems silly to say the owner has little control. The bars that struggle clearly make bad policy decisions compared to those that don't. If I was in a position to buy a bar that was doing well already, I'd do it.
Millions? You're full of shit.
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:58 am |
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hassan-i-sabbah
Joined: 10 Nov 2006
Posts: 27424
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yeah if you're making millions in profit off a bar you either have an insanely profitable bar or you own like, several of them
wrt the op buying something like a bar and running it is a huge investment in time and money and things can go wrong for all kinds of reasons, i wouldn't say its impossible to do successfully but its a pretty huge risk and your life is going to change substantially because now you have a huge financial investment that is likely going to fuck you if it goes sour (unless you're rich and just doing this for fun or w/e)
_________________
quote:
Originally posted by turtleman
A normal person wouldn't say that in real life because it's ridiculous and insulting. Yet here you are spouting the most hateful garbage that your demons can muster out of your darkened soul. All because of the internet.
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 9:06 am |
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Fast Luck
Joined: 11 Oct 2001
Posts: 22805
Location: Penis |
op, run a socialist co-op bar
_________________
i zero bagged your mother
quote:
Originally posted by Fast Luck
hassan-i-asher: majorin in takin pictures
dreamin bout wayne from catalina wine mixers
listen little friend stay outta the deep end
cuz you're less street than vampire weekend
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 9:24 am |
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Jon;
Joined: 13 Oct 2008
Posts: 13966
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quote:
Originally posted by SoCzNedoK
I've been in the resturant/bar industry for 9 years. 5 years as a bartender, 1 year managing. just wondering if anyone here has tried opening a restaurant/bar and has any input.
you already know then it's a 24/7 business as an owner... you're responsible for everything and everyone.. it's essential hiring trustworthy managers.. there is constant pressure and stress and for little if any profit.. so unless you just want to do this as a fun thing and have tons of disposable income it probably doesn't make sense..
but you know best the location and possibilities of how much profit you can make so you can make that decision whether the hard work and stress is worth it.
_________________
"i don't have pet peeves, i have major psychotic fucking hatreds"
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 10:10 am |
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turnsite
Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 378
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It's closing for a reason (probably a few), and the current clientele obviously isn't helping.
If you have substance abuse problems or still like to party then don't even bother.
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 12:39 pm |
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Sparkz102
Joined: 27 Feb 2003
Posts: 2999
Location: War2 |
I was a manager/bartender/server - pretty much everything but cook at a Mexican restaurant for good 1 1/2 yrs - prolly one of the most enjoyable jobs I had, maybe cuz of the food. the bar wasn't like a club - but profit from your alcohol is huge, tequila and margaritas and all that - by far more than what food will bring in and seeing so u said a local joint downtown - I don't think you'll be a club owner - pb is right on the promoting and marketing - keeping customers and attracting new customers should be your primary concern considering ur food and atmosphere is attractive. the thing I like about the Mexican restaurant is that there was no other strong competitors - so your style of the pub if u will is key too for what needs there are. financially its doable - don't let rent be too costly and stay ontop of ur taxes - govt loves to screw new establishments over that don't pay their taxes. do specials that bring people in, but keep you profiting too. working it yourself is a great way to start if its not franchise because your customers like to see a local comfortable face rather than the pure and lack of caring for which manager is on duty for the night. so if u do this - you did sign ur self up for a 7day work week - which is an all day everyday thing.
MVP for most hopeful post - get outta here trolls GG NO RE
_________________
I am also a contradiction of my own lies
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 2:59 pm |
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hassan-i-sabbah
Joined: 10 Nov 2006
Posts: 27424
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quote:
Originally posted by Sparkz102
MVP for most hopeful post - get outta here trolls GG NO RE
its not really trolling to point out what a huge financial commitment and risk it is, which is all anyone's been doing
_________________
quote:
Originally posted by turtleman
A normal person wouldn't say that in real life because it's ridiculous and insulting. Yet here you are spouting the most hateful garbage that your demons can muster out of your darkened soul. All because of the internet.
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 3:07 pm |
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Fast Luck
Joined: 11 Oct 2001
Posts: 22805
Location: Penis |
Nedok's Pub
War2 Admins drink free. I like the sound of that.
_________________
i zero bagged your mother
quote:
Originally posted by Fast Luck
hassan-i-asher: majorin in takin pictures
dreamin bout wayne from catalina wine mixers
listen little friend stay outta the deep end
cuz you're less street than vampire weekend
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 3:09 pm |
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Jon;
Joined: 13 Oct 2008
Posts: 13966
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quote:
Originally posted by Sparkz102
I was a manager/bartender/server - pretty much everything but cook at a Mexican restaurant for good 1 1/2 yrs -
how'd that work?
u worked your way from server, to bartender, to finally manager all in 1 1/2 years?
_________________
"i don't have pet peeves, i have major psychotic fucking hatreds"
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 3:36 pm |
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Fast Luck
Joined: 11 Oct 2001
Posts: 22805
Location: Penis |
probably did several things simultaneously.
_________________
i zero bagged your mother
quote:
Originally posted by Fast Luck
hassan-i-asher: majorin in takin pictures
dreamin bout wayne from catalina wine mixers
listen little friend stay outta the deep end
cuz you're less street than vampire weekend
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 3:44 pm |
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TheDRAX
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 1906
Location: Dallas, Texas |
quote:
Originally posted by Fast Luck
probably did several things simultaneously.
He's probably lying
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 4:13 pm |
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Sparkz102
Joined: 27 Feb 2003
Posts: 2999
Location: War2 |
quote:
Originally posted by Jon;
quote:
Originally posted by Sparkz102
I was a manager/bartender/server - pretty much everything but cook at a Mexican restaurant for good 1 1/2 yrs -
how'd that work?
u worked your way from server, to bartender, to finally manager all in 1 1/2 years?
it was a ma and pa shop deal - I was manager in about 4months from starting off as a dishwasher through a friend who got me the job - but after 3hrs of doing that - I was a server later that same night - then met the owner and was manager in 4months and I got a bartenders license so I took over the all aspects of the bar too - just ended up working there for a good 1 1/2yr
_________________
I am also a contradiction of my own lies
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 4:32 pm |
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Sparkz102
Joined: 27 Feb 2003
Posts: 2999
Location: War2 |
quote:
Originally posted by TheDRAX
quote:
Originally posted by Fast Luck
probably did several things simultaneously.
He's probably lying
I did do everything simultaneously actually. hell I could say I was the hostess too cuz I sat the customers, got them drinks ordered their food and then cashed out at the end of the night and did inventory and placed orders on downtime - so I pretty much really do know every aspect of a restaurant minus the cooking
_________________
I am also a contradiction of my own lies
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 4:33 pm |
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hassan-i-sabbah
Joined: 10 Nov 2006
Posts: 27424
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quote:
Originally posted by TheDRAX
quote:
Originally posted by Fast Luck
probably did several things simultaneously.
He's probably lying
have you never worked in a restaurant in your entire life, or not known someone who did? thats pretty common
_________________
quote:
Originally posted by turtleman
A normal person wouldn't say that in real life because it's ridiculous and insulting. Yet here you are spouting the most hateful garbage that your demons can muster out of your darkened soul. All because of the internet.
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 4:50 pm |
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RamJam
Joined: 26 Nov 2010
Posts: 1840
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quote:
Originally posted by hassan-i-sabbah
quote:
Originally posted by TheDRAX
quote:
Originally posted by Fast Luck
probably did several things simultaneously.
He's probably lying
have you never worked in a restaurant in your entire life, or not known someone who did? thats pretty common
7 years in the business myself and there is nothing unusual with what sparkz claimed.
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Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:03 pm |
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Ywfn
Joined: 30 May 2001
Posts: 3833
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quote:
Originally posted by TheDRAX
Millions? You're full of shit.
I used to know most of the managers of the bars when I went out a lot more regularly then I do now. Many ran the ballance sheet for the owners so unless I was being bold-faced lied to by all of them (and their stories were consistent) then it's completely accurate. That said, the area I live in probably has less liquor licenses then they need and most of the bars are packed 3-4 nights a week. 30-45 minute waits to get in are common. Sometimes hours.
I realize that's not the case everywhere but it goes to show if you can keep your bar full 3-4 nights a week that the profit margin on drinks is high enough to set you up pretty well.
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Fri Sep 27, 2013 9:48 am |
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Sypher
Joined: 18 Sep 2000
Posts: 5698
Location: Detroit, MI |
Best advice: Don't do it.
2nd best advice: If you decide to go for it, shop around for a partner(or two) that has extensive knowledge of the business. Operating costs, laws, etc. There is a reason why most bars and restaurants have designated Back of House and Front of House managers. They are two different worlds and take different types of people to manage.
E: And the bar that I worked at would regularly clear 25k on football gamedays and drinking holidays(day before thanksgiving, st. pats, etc). So yes, bars can be million dollar earners.
_________________
"I tend to thougoughly enjoy my encounters significantly more with 120+ types, as I find them more stimulating. 100-110 people are okay too operating at full capacity." - Paper_Boy
Last edited by Sypher on Fri Sep 27, 2013 11:11 am; edited 1 time in total
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Fri Sep 27, 2013 11:09 am |
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Sparkz102
Joined: 27 Feb 2003
Posts: 2999
Location: War2 |
quote:
Originally posted by Fast Luck
Nedok's Pub
War2 Admins drink free. I like the sound of that.
Enjoy a nice PEON~Colada
_________________
I am also a contradiction of my own lies
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Fri Sep 27, 2013 11:10 am |
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Location: Texas
Joined: 09 Feb 2009
Posts: 1913
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There have been several bars/restaurants around my area that were packed all the time and still went out of business. What it usually comes down to around here is the rent negotiation. The ones that survive are the ones that have low enough rent to allow profit margin. They've gotta be able to make money with the prices the specific market can support.
The other thing that seems to happen a lot is non-involved owners hire a slimebag manager who either skims or gives things away, etc. That happened to my friend's dad where his night manager was comping thousands of dollars of drinks per month as a means of hitting on women and it ended up being too late by the time he figured out where his money was going. There were other issues too but that was the big one.
_________________
“Imagine If You Wrapped A Percocet In A Slab Of Bacon, Fed It To A Woolly Mammoth, And Shouted ‘Dance, Hairy Boyfriend, Dance’ – That’s Torche.” -- Mike Huckabee
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Fri Sep 27, 2013 5:03 pm |
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stoned@chayliss
Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Posts: 2427
Location: Indiana USA |
Re: thinking about opening a bar
quote:
Originally posted by SoCzNedoK
Anyone had any experience owning or operating a bar/restaurant? There's a local spot that is closing down, location and clientele seem good and I'm thinking of renting it, anyone have any advice?
catch sunday marathons of bar rescue. i think its on spike.
jon taffer for president!
_________________
quote:
Originally posted by KingHillBilly
I respect players like Chayliss
quote:
Originally posted by Fast Luck
Top quality trolling Chayliss. Hat tip to you
quote:
Originally posted by Sparkz102
also in this post - special shout out to my boy chay
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Sat Sep 28, 2013 12:57 am |
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