Discussion
I am looking at the possibility of possibly opening a bar in the not to distant future. Has anyone got any experience or advice on things to look out for or focus on?
Obviously location is key but what else.
I am thinking of opening the bar with my brothers. All three of us have worked behind a bar and one brother currently manages a pub in Cambridge.
Any advice appreciated.
Sam
Obviously location is key but what else.
I am thinking of opening the bar with my brothers. All three of us have worked behind a bar and one brother currently manages a pub in Cambridge.
Any advice appreciated.
Sam
Samn01 said:Go easy on your own taps, and only drink the drinks punters buy you... if you can
I am looking at the possibility of possibly opening a bar in the not to distant future. Has anyone got any experience or advice on things to look out for or focus on?
Obviously location is key but what else.
I am thinking of opening the bar with my brothers. All three of us have worked behind a bar and one brother currently manages a pub in Cambridge.
Any advice appreciated.
Sam
UKBob said:
What was that most excellent song, imported into flash, featuring those cats playing their instruments and singing about a gay bar?
This one; www.rathergood.com/gaybar/
Or this one; http://home.san.rr.com/crocuta/GayBetaMax.htm
catso said:Nice on Catso!!
What was that most excellent song, imported into flash, featuring those cats playing their instruments and singing about a gay bar?
This one; www.rathergood.com/gaybar/
Or this one; http://home.san.rr.com/crocuta/GayBetaMax.htm
What type of bar do you see yourself running and does that match with what your Brother is already running. City centre trendy bars are a totally different kettle of fish from a family pub serving pub lunches.
Either way, it's long hours, very demanding but very rewarding as long as you realise that the bar is your life.
I've experience of the pub lunch style bar and working mans club style, but not of the trendy pub, all that thumping music would do my head in.
Either way, it's long hours, very demanding but very rewarding as long as you realise that the bar is your life.
I've experience of the pub lunch style bar and working mans club style, but not of the trendy pub, all that thumping music would do my head in.
A friend tried to turn a local club into something new. Total makeover, a six figure sum of money spent on lights and stuff, and the club went from being friendly, warm (lots of wood) and cosy place into a totally gutted out bizarro empty shell with white washed walls... a sort of modern stylish type london club, of sorts.
The punters started taking the piss, calling it the toilet, so walls were soon painted red, but it just didnt work, no one wanted to be there. The emptier it became, the less people wanted to go there. A catch 22 situation of sorts.
Improve a theme, but dont change it. And as alredy mentioned, the bar will be your life! (not for me)
The punters started taking the piss, calling it the toilet, so walls were soon painted red, but it just didnt work, no one wanted to be there. The emptier it became, the less people wanted to go there. A catch 22 situation of sorts.
Improve a theme, but dont change it. And as alredy mentioned, the bar will be your life! (not for me)
No advice - sounds like you have more experience than I have. But I would have thought that it is an increasingly hard market for the independant owner to break into. I see the likes of Wetherspoons cleaning up in a large way in the coming 5 years, at the expense of smaller independants.
Work out your target market, and cater for it. I like country pubs with real ale, old wood, large worn sofas and horse brasses on the wall. Unfortunately I live in East London, and can't stand London "Bars" with mega-pricey bottled beer. For choice, I'll drink at home rather than go to such a place. Just my £0.02's worth, although trying to demonstrate how market-sensitive pubs and bars are.
Oli.
Work out your target market, and cater for it. I like country pubs with real ale, old wood, large worn sofas and horse brasses on the wall. Unfortunately I live in East London, and can't stand London "Bars" with mega-pricey bottled beer. For choice, I'll drink at home rather than go to such a place. Just my £0.02's worth, although trying to demonstrate how market-sensitive pubs and bars are.
Oli.
I'd suggest sticking with whatever type of bar you're into, going to similar types of bars in the area and subtly finding out what narks the regulars about them.
I went to a bar the other day that used to be mobbed with a lot of regulars. Then the owners decided to make it more upmarket...
I went to a bar the other day that used to be mobbed with a lot of regulars. Then the owners decided to make it more upmarket...
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