Running a Bar For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) (Paperback)

by Ray Foley (Author), Heather Dismore (Author)
Key Phrases: daily business review, existing bar, dish machine, Bloody Mary, Jose Cuervo, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Have you ever thought of owning your own bar? Did you ever stumble into an overpriced watering hole and think how much better it could be if you ran the place? Or maybe you walked into your dream bar and realized that running one was the dream job you’ve always wanted?

With Running a Bar for Dummies, you can live your dream of operating your own establishment. This hands-on guide shows you how to maintain a successful bar, manage the business aspect of it, and stake your place in your town’s nightlife. It provides informative tips on:

• Understanding the business and laws of owning a bar
• Developing a business plan
• Creating a menu, choosing décor, and establishing a theme
• Stocking up on equipment
• Choosing and dealing with employees
• Handling tough customers
• Controlling expenses, managing inventory, and controlling cash flow
• Getting the word out about your place
• Preparing for your grand opening, step-by-step

This guide cues you in on how to keep your bar safe and clean, making sure everyone is having fun. It warns you about the pitfalls and no-nos that every owner should avoid. There are also helpful resources, such as contact information for State Alcohol Control Boards and Web sites with valuable information.

From the Back Cover
Manage sales, staff, and more with sample financials, timelines, and checklists

Break into the bar business and turn your dream into a successful enterprise!

Thinking about running a bar? This hands-on guide explains what it takes to own and operate your own establishment, from obtaining liquor licenses to managing inventory, personnel, budgets, and more. You'll see how to plan drink and food menus, meet financial and legal requirements, attract customers, and make a solid profit.

Discover how to

• Choose the right location
• Select your theme and decor
• Find financing
• Size up your competition
• Hire and train employees
• Avoid bar biz pitfalls
• Keep customers coming back

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (March 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470049197
• ISBN-13: 978-0470049198
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,808 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #19 in	Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Hospitality Businesses
  #36 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Bartending
  #94 in	Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Hospitality, Travel & Tourism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended If You Really Want to Start a Bar!, May 15, 2007

By	Monica Main "Monica Main" (Valencia, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is very thorough in teaching you everything from A - Z on starting a bar. It even talks about getting the money for your business venture.

After reading this book I felt exhausted and decided that I wouldn't be opening a bar anytime soon...at least not for now.

This is definitely a book you need if you want to make sure you dot all of your Is and cross all of your Ts.

Note: Starting and opening a bar takes an incredible amount of work. (Actually all business take an incredible amount of work.) As with all other retail businesses, expect to be there 90% to 100% of the opening hours. Most bars are open 7 days a week, 14 - 16 hours per day. So...that's a lot of hours to have to be there. (Hence, my decision in not wanting to start a bar.) That's something you should consider before starting a bar or restaurant. Make sure it's something you're so into that you want to live, breathe, and eat!

Best wishes.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars running a bar for dummies, February 2, 2009

By	robt-t "robt-t" (west chester,oh) - See all my reviews

A lot of good info that most people would overlook. Good reference book ,at least to steer you in the right direction

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars very very basic, June 2, 2008

By	A. Clark "BIN112" (Greer, SC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I suppose I should have listened to the title. A bartending magazine suggested this book, and I understood it would be helpful to even someone who has already had the experience of opening a bar and then a restaurant. I think it would be helpful to someone without those experiences. Other "Dummies" books have been helpful even with a little knowledge of the subject...not this one.