Whether you’re about to open a bar for the first time or have been running a bar for a while, you may be interested in learning a few tips on how to run a bar. While those new to the industry might find themselves feeling a little overwhelmed at times, it’s important to remember that many things can be learned slowly, over time.
So, what are the tips to run a successful bar? Below we’ve compiled a few tips for running a bar that you might like to take a read through. Remember that what makes a bar successful can differ depending on your location and the market you’re targeting.
Research the competition
If you’re thinking of launching your own bar, you’ll likely want to take a look around and see what other people in the bar industry are doing. Of course, this doesn’t mean stealing the ideas of others or copying their menu! Instead, have a look to see what they are doing well. Know your audience and who you want to become your patrons, then research your target market. If you are looking to target affordability, find out how much other bars in the area are charging for drinks to ensure you are providing good value for money. If you are looking to target a higher-end market, make sure you are offering something unique, whether it’s the service, atmosphere or menu.
Maybe visit a few popular bars to see what all the hype is about. Do they have unique and quirky drink names that customers seem to adore? What type of bar seems to be the most popular? It’s a good idea to keep up to date with what bars in your local area are doing so you know what’s happening within the industry.
Hire the right staff
When running a bar, you’ll want to make sure you hire reliable, trustworthy bar staff. You may like to hire people with years of experience, enthusiastic newcomers to the industry, or a mix of both to get your operation underway. The interview process can be daunting for new employers, but there are many resources available online that can provide assistance. Your interviewing style will likely be unique just as your bar management style is.
Ensure your staff are well-trained and certified
So you have a liquor license but it’s also required by law that all people serving drinks within a licensed premises have a current Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Certificate. This certificate should be obtained through a Nationally Recognised Training provider such as Express Online Training. If you have poker machines or other gambling services in your establishment, your staff will also need their Responsible Service of Gambling (RSG) Certificate. At Express Online Training, we offer combined RSA + RSG bundles.
Consider hosting events
Events can mean more patrons through your doors, and there are many different types to choose from. Maybe you like the idea of having trivia held at your venue once a week or once a month, or perhaps you’re a bit of a retro arcade fan and want to hold pinball competitions? Open mic nights and live gigs are other events that are popular at bars. Just remember that it’s important to do your research and implement any licensing or rules you might need to have for any additional events you wish to host.
Don’t forget about marketing
After putting so much work into your bar, you’ll want people to know it exists. While a nice big sign out the front can help show people walking by that you’re there, it’s a good idea to also market your venue online. There are multiple different ways to do this. You might like to focus on social media and create captivating content on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. You may like to focus on search engine optimisation (SEO) and gathering Google reviews. Perhaps you want to combine elements of each of these into a marketing strategy. For new businesses, it can be as simple as getting your venue in front of your target market’s eyes so they know you exist.
