How to Build a High Concept Bar: A Step-by-Step Guide
Table of Contents
What You Will Learn
In this guide, you will learn:
- How to make a cool bar with a fun theme
- How to pick the best spot for your bar
- How to make drinks that people love
- How to buy the right bar tools
- How to get people to come to your bar
1. Making Your Bar Idea Come to Life
What Is Your Bar All About?
Think of a fun theme for your bar. Do you want it to look old like the 1920s? Or do you want it to look like the future? The Aviary in Chicago made a bar all about fun science drinks. They made 40% more money after they opened with this cool idea!
Fun bar themes to try:
- Beach bar
- Space bar
- Jungle bar
- Old West bar
- Book bar
Who Will Come to Your Bar?
Think about who will come to your bar. Do you want rich people who spend a lot? Or do you want young folks who like to take pictures for Instagram? Did you know that 68% of people who go to bars want the place to look good in photos?
Look at Other Bars Near You
See what other bars are doing. If there are too many sports bars, maybe make a quiet place to talk instead.
2. Finding the Best Spot and Making It Look Good
Pick the Right Place
The spot you pick for your bar is very key. You want a place where lots of people walk by. A good spot can make your bar busy all the time.
Things to think about:
- Is it easy to get to?
- Can people see it from the street?
- Is there room for cars to park?
- How much does it cost to rent?
Make Your Bar Look Amazing
Now for the fun part! Make your bar look cool inside. This costs about $150-$300 for each square foot of space. That means a small bar might cost $75,000 to build.
Tips for great bar design:
- Use lights that match your theme
- Get seats that are nice to sit in
- Put up art or fun things to look at
- Make sure the bar top is big enough
A good bar needs good tools. Our custom bar coasters can help make your bar look great and keep tables dry.
3. Making a Drink Menu That People Will Love
Special Drinks That No One Else Has
Make drinks that tell a story. Work with small drink makers to get stuff no one else has. Then make fun drink names that fit your theme.
Sample drink types:
- Drinks with smoke or fire
- Drinks with fresh fruit
- Drinks from your city’s past
- Drinks that change color
For keeping drinks cold in style, our metal ice buckets are both good-looking and long-lasting.
Train Your Staff to Be the Best
Your staff needs to know how to make each drink just right. Teach them all about the drinks and how to be nice to guests.
Staff training should include:
- How to make each drink step by step
- How to talk about the drinks
- How to serve drinks the right way
- How to handle busy times
4. Getting All the Things You Need
Bar Tools and Gear
You need lots of tools to run a bar. Buying from places in China can cut your costs by 20-30%! That’s a lot of money you can save.
Bar needs checklist:
- Drink shakers and mixers
- Glass types for each drink
- Ice tools and bins
- Bar mats to catch spills
For your bar setup, custom logo bar mats not only catch spills but also show off your bar’s brand.
Tech to Help Run Your Bar
Use good tech to make your bar run well. You need ways to take money, keep track of what you have, and make sure things run fast when busy.
Tech for your bar:
- Cash register system
- Drink recipe app
- Stock counting system
- Music system
5. Telling People About Your Bar
Get People Excited Before You Open
Start telling folks about your bar before you open. Have some small events to let a few people try it out.
Ways to get the word out:
- Make social media pages
- Ask local blogs to write about you
- Put up signs near your spot
- Give out free drink cards
Make Your Bar Look Good Online
Take good pics of your bar and drinks. Use them on the web to make people want to come see you. Most people check online before they go to a new place.
Online spots to show off your bar:
- Yelp
- Your own website
6. Money and Rules
Know How Much You’ll Spend and Make
Most high-concept bars make back their money in 18-24 months. After that, they make more than 25% profit on what they spend.
Costs to plan for:
- Rent
- Building the bar
- Buying drink stock
- Paying staff
- Getting permits
Follow All the Rules
You need permits to sell drinks. It takes about 90-180 days to get a drink permit in most places in the USA. Start this process early!
Rules to know about:
- Drink selling permits
- Food safety rules
- Fire safety rules
- Noise rules
Making Your Bar Stand Out: Success Stories
The Aviary – Chicago
The Aviary made drinks like a fun science lab. They use smoke, weird ice, and test tubes. This made them very popular and they made 40% more money than they thought they would.
Green Bar – Los Angeles
This bar used things that are good for the earth, like plant straws instead of plastic. People liked this so much that 15% more people came back again and again.
Bar Cost Table
| Item | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building work | $150-300 per sq ft | Depends on how fancy |
| Bar gear | $15,000-30,000 | Can save 20-30% buying from China |
| Permits | $3,000-10,000 | Takes 90-180 days |
| First stock | $10,000-20,000 | Depends on bar size |
| Staff training | $2,000-5,000 | Worth the money! |
Tips From Bar Owners
- Start small – You can always make your bar bigger later
- Be different – Find what makes your bar special
- Know your drinks – Learn all about what you sell
- Make friends – Work with local businesses
- Listen to guests – They will tell you what they want
Green Bar Ideas
People like bars that are good for the earth. Bars that use earth-friendly things see 15% more people come back.
Ways to be green:
- Use steel straws
- Get custom coasters made from recycled materials
- Use less water
- Buy from local farms
- Cut down on trash
Questions People Ask
How long until I make money with my bar?
Most good theme bars make back their money in 18-24 months if they do things right.
How much money do I need to start?
For a small bar (1,500 sq ft), you might need $225,000 to $450,000 to build it, plus more for permits, stock, and staff.
What bar theme makes the most money?
Themes that look good in photos do very well. 68% of young bar guests pick places that will look good on Instagram.
How do I find good bar staff?
Look at other good bars, ask at drink schools, and post jobs where drink lovers look. Good staff is worth paying more for!
Last Tips
Building a cool bar with a fun theme takes time and money. But if you plan well, pick a good spot, make great drinks, and tell people about it, you can make a place people love to visit.
Remember that 68% of people care how your bar looks in photos , so make it pretty! And most theme bars make their money back in under two years , so be patient.
Get started with the right tools like rubber bar mats that are tough enough for busy nights and make cleanup easy.
Good luck with your new bar!
