My husband and I are currently researching opening a bar/pool hall in Florida. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how we should go about starting this. I have gotten a little information about the liquor license in our area, but it been so extremely expensive, we have decided to go with beer and wine only. He and I are very intrested in starting this business, but are a little clueless in how to get it off the ground. Any advice from anyone would be extremely helpful.

ScottGem

Try contacting a local branch of SCORE (www.score.org). This is an association of retired executives, who volunteer their expertise for people trying to start or run a small biz. You should also contact a local office of the Small Business Adminstration (www.sba.gov). They will have lots of resources to help you, which may include loans or grants.

One of the first steps is to build a business plan. There are software packages that will walk you thru that process by asking questions. You need to research the market and make sure there is a market for the business. It might be better if you can find an existing business to purchase.

MTNRS

Scott,
Thank you so much for the info. I am checking it all out now and I'll definately post how it all worked out. Thanks again,
Melissa

Fr_Chuck

The term "this seems so expensive" worries me, unless a person has a budget planned to pay off of thier personal expenses and all of the operating expensies for at least 6 months and it should be longer, since most new business don't make any profit at all for the first year.

Next you need to decide what type of crowd you are wanting, college age, cowboy, biker, gay and lesbian, what type of bar are you going to be,
Then you need to think location. Liquar normally is where alot of the profit is ( by the shot makes alot of money) and needs to be a consideration, esp if you are going more upscale

MTNRS

Scott,
Once again thank you so much for your information. It really helped us out. I checked out SCORE and they were a huge help as well as the SBA. Thanks again for your input. Looks like we'll be getting started soon.
Melissa

MTNRS

Fr Chuck,
Thanks for your input. We have decided that a beer and wine bar/pool hall was the way to start out, espically in our particular area. We have a lot of young people in our area and have literally nothing to do here. We figured we'd start out small and then go from there. If it all works maybe down the road we'll bring in a full liquor bar. Thanks again, your input as far as theme does give us something to think about.
Melissa

valinors_sorrow

I have a funny but true thing to add here. I once saw a pretty humble tavern make it because it was located next to a laundromat. LOL In fact it was one owner who made it look like two businesses but the sign said "Suds and Duds" (groooooooans)

PS - howdy neighbor!

jimfun71

I will offer you the best information I can about retail. Location, Location, Location. I have seen a lot of business' fail because they didn't have a good location.

JAYMEftl

Hi Melissa! Did you check out this site, too?
Billiard Congress of America

Did you open the pool hall yet?

schweet_zeke

Hey MTNRS! im quite interested in opening up a bar near me. do you think you can e-mail me so i can ask you a few questions? i would greatly appreciate your help. my e-mail is [Personal email address removed for privacy.]