Bar Business Loans
Guides and resources for bar business loans

Start by coming up with a business plan, which includes identifying how much capital you need. Once you’ve figured out the resources you need, the next step is probably to apply for a loan.

A bar loan helps to cover the costs associated with running a business such as: start-up costs (e.g. licenses and permits), hiring staff, investing in equipment, implementing marketing strategies, and taking advantage of a good business opportunity. It can also give you peace-of-mind that funds are available should anything unexpected happen.

You can apply for business loans through traditional means such as a bank, or the increasingly popular way of going through lending institutions such as OnDeck. You must meet the prerequisite requirements to get approved; you can find ours here.

First off, know who you’re trying to attract. Determine your ideal customer and then be where they are because marketing plays a key role in finding and attracting new customers. Have a strong social media presence, post reviews and testimonials online, and regularly re-evaluate your marketing strategies to make sure they’re resonating with your audience.

There are a few ways to grow your business such as improving cash flow and customer loyalty. Most improvements need additional resources such as investing in better equipment, hiring experience staff, and increasing marketing efforts.

Focus on the big picture such as establishing a loyal customer base, targeting your ideal market segment, and creating partnerships. We wrote this article about growth strategies that you might be interested in.

The simple answer is to serve more people. But it’s important to also master the basics such as building a good pricing strategy and marketing to your ideal customer.

All businesses need to determine their unique selling proposition (USP) – what makes them different – to be intriguing and attractive to new customers. For a bar, your USP could be having an incredible selection of whisky or gin, specialising in craft beers, or having a unique theme with signature cocktails.

There are internal and external factors to this. Internal factors include having efficient POS systems and inventories, hiring the right staff and investing in the right equipment. External factors include providing a good customer experience, having clean facilities, and establishing your niche.

Depending on location, lease, staff size and equipment needed, opening a bar starts around $75,000 but oftentimes costs much more.

Start by coming up with a business plan, which includes identifying how much capital you need. Once you’ve figured out the resources needed, it’s time to sort out the funding to make it possible. Most business owners decide to take out a loan to help with the costs.

The specific licenses needed will vary based on your state and local government – you can visit their website to get a full list. It’s safe to say you’ll need to have a liquor license, business permit, and follow food safety regulations if you also serve food.

By building a loyal customer base, staying competitive in your offerings and prices, and focusing on providing the best customer experience (which includes smooth POS systems, top of the line equipment, experienced staff, etc.).

A good bar provides great service and atmosphere for its customers. It runs smoothly both behind the counter and on the floor. It finds a way to differentiate itself from competitors.

Each state and local council has different licenses and fees, so check their website to understand what’s required to open a bar in your location. In Sydney, a small bar license has a base fee around $215 but increases based on past compliance history.