Thinking About Buying A Martini Bar...

[TaDoW]

It's a fairly quiet bar in a local upscale neighborhood, their numbers look good for their history. Myquestion for you is this ... I haven't ever TOUCHED the food/beverage service industry. Now, obviously until I had a clue wtf was going on, I'd keep everything the same - bartender, manager, wait stafff, etc... have any of you ever owned a restaurant and/or bar? What are some of the pitfalls? Would you recommend actually working in the field/industry before ever trying to purchase a business of that sort?

Also - I've heard that WA state doesn't allow the same business to own both a porn company AND a company that serves alcohol ... can anyone shed some light on this?

thanks all =-)

P.S.: Happy Friday!

[Lee]

Ive never owned one but ive managed one before.

The first thing i did before 'hiring or firing' was to take a less active approach for the first week of ownership and just become a 'regular' in the bar, see who is doing what, how well they do and, more importantly, how well they interact with the customers.

If the customers are happy, keep the staff you have.

Changing the wrong staff member can suck the moral out of the rest of the team and that, will work its way into the customer base depending on the type of relationship they have with the staff especially if the staff have been there a while.

[Nickatilynx]

Originally posted by TaDoW@Mar 11 2005, 10:12 AM
It's a fairly quiet bar in a local upscale neighborhood, their numbers look good for their history. Myquestion for you is this ... I haven't ever TOUCHED the food/beverage service industry. Now, obviously until I had a clue wtf was going on, I'd keep everything the same - bartender, manager, wait stafff, etc... have any of you ever owned a restaurant and/or bar? What are some of the pitfalls? Would you recommend actually working in the field/industry before ever trying to purchase a business of that sort?

Also - I've heard that WA state doesn't allow the same business to own both a porn company AND a company that serves alcohol ... can anyone shed some light on this?

thanks all =-)

P.S.: Happy Friday!
I've part owned pubs , bars , restaurants , clubs and even a country hotel.

Though as a "silent" partner ( ironic name..people that know me, know I'm rarely silent)

The one thing that drove me totally mental was "spillage" I think it is called.

Which is basically "theft"

The rants I have done over "people are stealing....from me?" Are of epic proportions lol.

I have been VERY lucky in my involvements.

The UK pubs did ok.

The Hotel lost money operating , but made huge property value when we sold it.

The restaurants did good , but was mainly a "vanity purchase". Its cool going to a top flight restaurant and owning a peice.

The first club I was involved in years ago was doing lousy , but then burnt down so we did OK on insurance.

But I was told going in 8/10 fail in the first few months.

As for the porn thing....sell all your porn assets offshore. Create a US based consultancy company , and have the Offshore porn company after it purchases your porn assets , have it contract with your US based consulting company for the management of it. Viola...you are now an internet consultant.

;-))

[TheEnforcer]

Almost bought a bar when I was in my early 20's. It was my favorite hometown bar and i knew the owener well. He was a patient of my dad's, and a good friend of mine, and always joked every time he had to see him that it was my fault he did cause he always dranks too much when I was there and I was there A LOT. LOL

I would stop in and if he was working i would get about $80-$100 worth of alcohol, which goes a LOT farther in a small town in WI than many other states, for like $20 worth of tips. If he wasn't working and was there he would tell the bartender to leave the bottles of Dr McGillicuddy's for him and the bottle of Goldschalger for me (back before it was pussified and was 126 proof) for me to drink out of as we wanted!!

Anyways, I'm certainly glad I didn't buy it because if I did it wouldn't have been a good combnation cause I drank EXTREMELY heavy back then.

[Lee]

Damn Nick havent heard the word 'spillage' in that context in years LOL

But yeah thats probably one of the main problems facing a bar owner.

Make sure you know 'exactly' how much spillage fits into whatever you use to catch the 'legitamate' spillage and youll not take to long to catch the theives (if you have any) ;)

[iamkathi]

Great Idea! You should check with our Italian friend. Remember he used to own restaurants in the Seattle area.

I am sure he would gladly give you a hint or two.

:wnw:

[Nickatilynx]

Originally posted by Lee@Mar 11 2005, 10:32 AM
Damn Nick havent heard the word 'spillage' in that context in years LOL

But yeah thats probably one of the main problems facing a bar owner.

Make sure you know 'exactly' how much spillage fits into whatever you use to catch the 'legitamate' spillage and youll not take to long to catch the theives (if you have any) ;)
Don't get me started man.....

The previous guy was sort of like "It happens"

You ever tired telling couple of pikeys that they must accept that people will steal from them?

"The mothers cunts are going chore shit from US??"

We also did property develpement , and I did exactly what you proposed , I was brought on site for a week to work as a general labourer to find out who was who.

At the end of the week at site meeting , my mate stands up and says..

"I'd like to introduce you to my partner.."

When I came out of the throng of assembled workers , a few faces fell. Like the fucking Northerner that had been telling me to slow down so I didn't make the others look bad..

People think this industry is bad...

Another time we had time constraints on completion so we offered as much overtime as they wanted. End of the week I check the time sheets and one guys time is insane..like he never sleeps.

So 5 in the morning I come on site...he is clocked on , so I start trying to find him.

I can't find him , so I have the site foreman and the head chippy following me round on the search.

I found the fuck.

Would you believe he had made a nice little bed for himself in the eves of the attic..with a fucking alarm clock!!!

He woke up to me kicking him in the face and body repeatedly screaming...

(yes, you've guessed it.)

""You wanna fucking steal from me?""


And people think I'm nasty these days?

;-)))

[TaDoW]

Originally posted by Nickatilynx+Mar 11 2005, 10:25 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Nickatilynx @ Mar 11 2005, 10:25 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-TaDoW@Mar 11 2005, 10:12 AM
It's a fairly quiet bar in a local upscale neighborhood, their numbers look good for their history. Myquestion for you is this ... I haven't ever TOUCHED the food/beverage service industry. Now, obviously until I had a clue wtf was going on, I'd keep everything the same - bartender, manager, wait stafff, etc... have any of you ever owned a restaurant and/or bar? What are some of the pitfalls? Would you recommend actually working in the field/industry before ever trying to purchase a business of that sort?

Also - I've heard that WA state doesn't allow the same business to own both a porn company AND a company that serves alcohol ... can anyone shed some light on this?

thanks all =-)

P.S.: Happy Friday!
I've part owned pubs , bars , restaurants , clubs and even a country hotel.

Though as a "silent" partner ( ironic name..people that know me, know I'm rarely silent)

The one thing that drove me totally mental was "spillage" I think it is called.

Which is basically "theft"

The rants I have done over "people are stealing....from me?" Are of epic proportions lol.

I have been VERY lucky in my involvements.

The UK pubs did ok.

The Hotel lost money operating , but made huge property value when we sold it.

The restaurants did good , but was mainly a "vanity purchase". Its cool going to a top flight restaurant and owning a peice.

The first club I was involved in years ago was doing lousy , but then burnt down so we did OK on insurance.

But I was told going in 8/10 fail in the first few months.

As for the porn thing....sell all your porn assets offshore. Create a US based consultancy company , and have the Offshore porn company after it purchases your porn assets , have it contract with your US based consulting company for the management of it. Viola...you are now an internet consultant.

;-)) [/b][/quote]
Thanks for the info, that's excellent insight. =)


From what I've heard, people stealing from you is mostly due to doormen, isn't it? For example - at clubs/happenin bars where they charge a cash cover, I thought thats where a lot of the spillage occurrs?

regardless of what causes it, I've definitely heard that's the primary reason for bars going under...

[TaDoW]

Originally posted by iamkathi@Mar 11 2005, 10:54 AM
Great Idea! You should check with our Italian friend. Remember he used to own restaurants in the Seattle area.

I am sure he would gladly give you a hint or two.

:wnw:
hehe =)

very good point kathi!!!

hell, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to sell the land to me as well ;-)

[PornoDoggy]

The phrase "a fool and his money" could have been coined to describe people who buy bars. You would be amazed at just how much they can suck out of a bank account.

[Lee]

Originally posted by PornoDoggy@Mar 11 2005, 11:10 AM
The phrase "a fool and his money" could have been coined to describe people who buy bars. You would be amazed at just how much they can suck out of a bank account.
Or how much they can drink out of their profits ;)

[Newton]

Nick's correct about the spillage, the bar people can be a fucking nightmare too giving short change. The bouncers can make a lot of tips on the doors and always keep them sweet with drinks ;)

[TheEnforcer]

Originally posted by Lee+Mar 11 2005, 02:12 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Lee @ Mar 11 2005, 02:12 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-PornoDoggy@Mar 11 2005, 11:10 AM
The phrase "a fool and his money" could have been coined to describe people who buy bars. You would be amazed at just how much they can suck out of a bank account.
Or how much they can drink out of their profits ;) [/b][/quote]
EXACTLY why I didn't buy the bar in my early 20's!! :P

[Vick]

If you're looking to invest I'd dare say there are many easier investments than a bar

[pushpills]

we talk with the owner of a local bar alot, he bought it off a couple who retired, it's a really popular spot and the place is full almost every night. he just hangs out and flirts with the young hotties and chats it up with us.

anyway,he says he has a few people he knows come in and drink there and take a look at the bartenders and servers to see if they are putting too little in the register or taking too much change out, and also mentioned to us to let him know if we see anything.

it helps to be there 80 percent of the time if you dont want to get ripped off.

[punkerbarbie]

there is mymain man Tadow woot woot!

hehehe
sorry i wish i could help but i have no clue how restraunts/bars are run. thu i do frequent the bar scene i wouldnt be able to give any tips besides what drinks are good LOL

if you do buy the bar LMK, id fly out and have some drinks. :)

have a kick ass weekend! *hug*

[nickdark]

Theres some good advice in there..

Heres some more based on experience..I have owned restaurants / bars / nightclubs..still do albeit from long distance.

Do NOT buy a bar out of ego and think all your mates will come and support you.

Do NOT give drinks away all night especially good champagne to hot chicks...give them crap ..they will still come.

Good looking barstaff is a must...unless they have exceptional conversational skills.

DONT lease if possible..buy freehold.

If you can run a bar and NOT sell food ..do that. A lot of chefs are primadonna assholes and/or useless drunks..kitchens and dining rooms are labour intensive..and if you buy a restaurant..you HAVE to love what you are doing.

Oh yes..and be prepared for for some seriously hard work.

There are lots of tricks to the theft..I've had people walking out of our place in the Carribean with whole chickens under their hats..bartenders bringing in their own bottles to avoid the stock take..throwing bottles of Krug over the fence to mates.. know one guy who had a bartender bringing in his own till !!!

So DEFINITELY get a job as a bottlewasher first..and try and fast track to barman etc...take a few months , and learn cashtills, stocktake, backroom ...preferably in a big bar where the theft will be rife.

A quick course in accountancy would be a huge help too.

Oh yes..and do your research and due diligence on the bar you are going to buy..location, location etc etc

Other than that , and about a hundred other things ..theres nothing to it!

It can however be great fun..when the money is rolling in.

Good Luck mate!

[nickdark]

CJ will definitely have something to say on this topic!

[Nickatilynx]

Originally posted by nickdark@Mar 11 2005, 04:06 PM


If you can run a bar and NOT sell food ..do that. A lot of chefs are primadonna assholes and/or useless drunks..
ahahahahaha we must know the same people!!!

When I got involved first with restaurants , I was told.

""All Chefs are either drunks or fags (lets say primmadonnas) , they are just about manageable if they are one or the other but the kiss of death if they are both."

bartenders bringing in their own bottles to avoid the stock take

had that...