What does it take for a very basic bar to succeed?

[lost4life]

Originally Posted by kayaker

Yep!! Great place. Troy and Angie are the best.

They will be my inspiration should I ever open a place.

[drastic_quench]

Originally Posted by Gary T

If this means not having any soft drinks, I think that's a misstep. It's standard for bars to have Coke, lemon-lime soda, and maybe ginger ale as mixers, and I can't imagine why one would not sell them separately. A designated driver or non-drinking friend would certainly appreciate the option.

Yeah, there'd be a soda hose. I just meant bars make a nice margin on a family of four that comes in and buys a beer for dad, but Cokes and fries for everyone else.

Good call on the DDs. But also Rum n Cokes and Cuba Libres.

[Autolycus]

There are tons of places kinda like what you're describing in Japan, called izakayas. Where I live there is practically one on every corner. They do typically have some sort of food option though.

[Projammer]

The OP doesn't say where he/she is, but I would find out if there's a local Hash House Harriers chapter and make sure you're on their circuit is there is.

This all comes back to the regulars/customers point, but if you're running a clean establishment with good products, this is a good group to spread the word.

[iftheresaway]

On the food issue: there are a couple of bars in my area that serve no food, but will let you bring in anything you want. I think it's a great choice. They have amazing brews (50+ beers on tap, plus bottles), and instead of eating shitty bar food, you can grab a pizza or hit up the excellent BBQ joint two blocks down and bring it in. One of he bars is about a blck from the farmer's market, and thre's nothing better than an alfresco lunch of fresh veggies, crusty bread, and local cheese with delicious fancy beer to wash it down.

[Little Nemo]

A guy I used to work with bought a bar and pretty much lost everything he had. He told me he had never imagined how much money it cost to keep a bar operating. Not counting the cost of buying the bar, he put $100,000 into it before he opened. And this was an existing bar that was already up and running with an established customer base.

[kayaker]

Originally Posted by iftheresaway

On the food issue: there are a couple of bars in my area that serve no food, but will let you bring in anything you want. I think it's a great choice. They have amazing brews (50+ beers on tap, plus bottles), and instead of eating shitty bar food, you can grab a pizza or hit up the excellent BBQ joint two blocks down and bring it in. One of he bars is about a blck from the farmer's market, and thre's nothing better than an alfresco lunch of fresh veggies, crusty bread, and local cheese with delicious fancy beer to wash it down.

A bar I like is very similar. They maintain a pile of take out menus from local places that deliver.