Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part I: Cheers! Getting Started in the Bar Industry 5

Chapter 1: Bar Business Basics 7

Chapter 2: Understanding What It Takes to Own and Operate a Bar 15

Chapter 3: Minding the Money and the Law 29

Chapter 4: Deciding What Type of Bar to Have 49

Part II: Gearing Up to Open the Doors 59

Chapter 5: Putting Your Business Plan Together 61

Chapter 6: Selecting Your Bar’s Site, Décor, and Name 77

Chapter 7: Stocking Up on Smallwares and Equipment 103

Chapter 8: Setting Up Your Bar’s Inventory 123

Chapter 9: Planning and Creating Your Menus 143

Part III: Employees, Customers, and Products: Managing the “Right Stuff” 163

Chapter 10: Hiring, Training, and Keeping Your Employees 165

Chapter 11: Rule #1: Practicing Good Customer Service 189

Chapter 12: Boning Up on Bar Beverages 205

Chapter 13: Getting Ready for Your Grand Opening, Step by Step 223

Part IV: Managing Your Inventory, Revenue, and Future 237

Chapter 14: Controlling Expenses and Operating Efficiently 239

Chapter 15: Keeping Your Bar’s Bottom Line from Hitting Bottom 261

Chapter 16: Building and Keeping Your Bar Crowd 275

Part V: The Part of Tens 301

Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Run a Safe Bar 303

Chapter 18: Ten Myths about Running a Bar 307

Chapter 19: Ten Bar Owner Sins Not to Commit, Ever 311

Appendix: Useful Websites for Every Bar Owner 315

Index 323

About the Author

Ray Foley, a former Marine with more than 30 years of bartending and restaurant experience, is the founder and publisher of BARTENDER magazine. Heather Dismore is a veteran of both the restaurant and publishing industries. Her published works include Running a Restaurant For Dummies .