Starting a tiny Brewpub/Craft Beer Bar

Quick follow up-besides the extra indoor space you mentioned using for special events, is there any usable outdoor space that that you'll be entitled to use under the lease. Not sure what the weather is like where you are thinking of locating, but nice outdoor space may alleviate your space problem for at least some of the year.

 

Not sure about that, they might be about the same, the mirror at the end makes it look bigger. I haven't been in since it became Maggie's, but went several times when it was Frank 'N Stiens. It's an ex-barbershop, and if your sitting at the bar and somebody moves behind you, there's no choice but to be bumped into. So, a bar the size you're thinking of can work, but it gets cozy.

 

I wouldn't think the fire marshal would allow more than 15. Depending on your state laws, it could be up to 20 sq ft per person. You also have to deduct the bar space from total sq ft. I just don't see this working. My bedroom is bigger than 250 sq ft and I couldn't imagine having a bar in that space!! What are the dimensions? 25 ft x 10 ft? Does the 250 sq ft include the bathroom(s)? If it does, now you are looking at like 10 people!!

 

Didn't read any responses, but I own/operate a craft beer bar. 250sq wouldn't be worth my time in all honesty. But, if you are gung ho on doing this I definitely wouldn't put in 12 taps. Keep your first thought of 6. Secondly think about you capacity. At full capacity of 25 at 10 hours a day on the most optimistic level you could do $4k a week. Margins aren't good for craft beers for my market in Wisconsin. I charge double cost typically since the prices can get costly for customers when their alternative could be to go to the store to get beer. Also, at 250 sq ft you aren't gonna be able to provide entertainment for people to stay content. People like to move around in America and don't necessarily like to be confined to small spaces. I got a ton more to add likethe right staff, beer choice, liquor, your involvement(people want to see the owner like everyday), blah blah. Pm me if you have some more precise question, but you've got a lot to think about.

 

That is 240 sq ft. How big is your bar going to be? Let's say your bar is 3 ft x 10 ft with a walkway behind the bar of 3 ft. Now you have 6 ft x 10 ft just for your bar which is 60 sq ft. Now you are down to 180 sq ft. How big is the bathroom? Is that included in the 240 sq ft?

 

I have no idea if the numbers support this idea or not, but what about making this a semi-private place? Like Tues-Thurs, it's open to members who pay an annual or semi-annual fee to drink at cost, something like $1.50-$2 per pint, similar to an Elks club, VFW, etc. They can have their own mugs or other perks to make them feel special. Then Fri-Sat it's open to the public, closed Sun-Mon. Depending on the fee, it may be worth it - no clue.

 

Okay, not sounding as small as I was picturing!! You could always have the ledges that go around the room for the people standing can set their drinks on something. That way you don't have all the space bunched up with tables.

 

Regardless, I'd suggest starting small (no pun intended). Don't implement all ideas at once. Start with the ones that you feel strongly about and you feel are safest. Once you get on your feet, start experimenting. Good luck!

And for crying out loud, start dishing out some likes in this thread. I didn't put together a well thought out paragraph for nothing!! Lol.

 

I like the wood floors!! Are you going to tear out that little wall?