Thinking about opening a bar? Start with the truth no one wants to hear: if you don’t have real service industry experience, you’re lighting money on fire. We walk through the decisions that matter most—from choosing a location that fits your demographic to carving out a niche guests instantly understand—and share the unglamorous stories that make or break a first-time owner.
We break down the neighborhood calculus behind site selection, how to stand out next to thriving competitors, and the brand signals that turn a room into a community. You’ll hear why the best “marketing” can be a row of coat hooks and a bartender who remembers your name, and how a stale taproom became a buzzing pub by choosing hospitality over hype. On the operations side, we get practical about maintenance realities, from commercial-grade fixtures to the constant abuse a busy bar inflicts on plumbing, and why slow afternoons and tiny sales are part of the path if you stay consistent.
Money and contracts get the spotlight too. We outline the lease terms that protect your runway—free rent, tenant improvements, smarter triple nets—and why we refuse percentage rent. Real buildout numbers and cautionary tales show how a 2,200-square-foot space climbs into the high six figures and why under-budgeting sinks good concepts. Most of all, we talk people: hiring a team that mirrors your standards, managing conflict without losing your anchors, and finding mentors who have opened a dozen places and can save you from costly mistakes.
If you’re ready to pair a clear niche with the right neighborhood, build a team of owners at heart, and negotiate a lease that gives you oxygen, this conversation is your playbook. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s dreaming up a concept, and leave a review with the biggest question you want us to tackle next.