Starting a tiny Brewpub/Craft Beer Bar

Have you thought of maybe selling growlers and glassware with local art on them?

 

Where in KY are you? You might want to talk to Gambrinus in Owensboro, he is much larger in sqft but does the same vibe.

 

this place in Ft Lauderdale, Fl is tiny and does a fine job. it can be done for sure......good luck!

http://laserwolf.com

 

How many folks do you think you could fit in the space comfortably?

 

From the OP: "My bar can handle between 15-25 customers(we are awaiting fire marshal approval) based on layout."

 

The hard part in many states is getting a license to sell beer on premise with no food service; it simply can't be done in quite a few states and in others it is the kind of license that the licensing authorities are dubious about granting, ie virtually any neighborhood opposition and they won't do it. It appears he's got this beat already.

I appreciate comments about overhead, but the biggest overhead generator is something he doesn't have to deal with--a kitchen. Also, maybe I've misread, but I think this is beer only, so another big inventory item, all that liquor a normal bar needs to have, is not in play. He probably doesn't need Micros or Aloha or any other pricey POS and the hardware and software that come with them--2 iPods with Square out to handle it.

Selling just draft beer, with only himself or himself and maybe one employee behind the bar (and that employee will be a tipped employee so the hourly wage bill is minimal), well if he can get the customers in (ie if there is demand for craft beer in his part of Kentucky) then it really isn't hard to believe he can break even on 8 days a month, though I think I'd want to open Thurs night too, and Monday night as well during football season.

I understand there is a lot of anti-TV sentiment on this board but in the real world and especially in the South, men (and, in the South, women too, you better believe it) want to see the game. Whether it's UK or Louisville or UT or the Bengals or the Titans or whoever, maybe the Reds during baseball season, I just think a moderately sized flat screen with the volume off and with good music off the house iPad or whatever, does not infringe upon conversation.

I do think he should go ahead and bite the bullet and rent the other 250 sq feet, and integrate all that space into one bar area, as opposed to sectioning it off for events, especially if the rent is as cheap as he says it is. (Some pretty good operators of a national chain told me, during a negotiation for their Mall of America store when I was appalled by the per sq. ft. numbers being tossed around, that they were always happy if lease costs were <11% of total sales; if he's in or close to this range, he should be good)

One thing about being a beer-only joint (if I understand that correctly): the bar area can be a lot "skinnier" than these behemoths I see these days. All he needs is room for sufficient cooler space for his sixtels, whether 6 taps or 12, some glass storage, and the things the code requires, probably a 3 compartment sink and a hand sink.

But you don't want people to be unable to get in--pretty soon it's like the Yogi Berra saying, "Nobody goes there anymore, it's always too crowded." People can't get a seat once, they'll give you another try, maybe even two. But if a couple come in 3 times and never can get a seat to get served, they aren't coming back any more, ever.

The outdoor patio or whatever should, IMO, also be open from the jump. I used to think this was a Colorado thing, because the weather is just so awesome here all the time (when it's not flooding, but that really was a thousand year flood), but I have found out that even in such not-always-sunny places as, say, London, or Washington DC, people love to drink outside.

 

Right, but will they be comfortable?

 

I was thinking of maybe partnering with smaller local artists to do custom logos on the growlers and then reprints of existing art on one side of your retail glassware and your logo on the other for the art show/walk and other such events. It gets you involved with the marketing and promotion of what sounds like a popular attraction in the area will help build community ties.

It's all tangential to your main concerns though, just a thought.

 

You can have a business that grosses $200 per night and breaks even? I don't want to be a downer, but I don't see it.

 

the others have made some great points. good luck to you and keep us posted

 

Your logistics are on a knife edge, but I really like your energy in this. I hope it works for you.