Bars are establishments primarily serving alcohol, with limited food menus offering items like fries, nachos, and burgers. They offer a wide selection of liquor. People generally visit bars at the end of the day to unwind and relax. If you’re thinking about opening a bar in India, know that it can become highly profitable once it takes off.
Historically, bars have been the origin point of significant cultural events like the American Revolution and the Stonewall Riots. Over the years, they have developed into places where people come to hang out together for a lovely time. India is no longer an exception to this bar culture. Opening a bar comes with several tasks and challenges. This blog discusses things you need to know and consider before opening a bar in India.
Here Are All The Steps To Open A Bar In India
1. Solid Business Plan
Any business you plan to set up requires a solid business plan, and so does opening a bar. You can choose from multiple bar settings to set up your establishment. Each bar type requires a different bar set-up, management style, budget, etc.
Different types of bar styles include:
a. Sports bars where people come to drink and watch games.
b. Music bars where people come to enjoy music and drinks.
c. Restaurant bars where you serve alcohol and a proper dine-in menu.
d. Outdoor bars with well-lit open spaces serving alcohol.
It would be best to decide the bar type based on your interests and comfort. Based on the style you choose for opening a bar business, you will have to design a detailed and comprehensive business plan that includes an industry analysis, operations plan, financial analysis, and marketing plan.
2. Perfect Location
Like any other restaurant business, you need to find the perfect location to open a bar. Choosing the right place for your bar can be critical in inviting new customers to your establishment and setting up a customer base. It is crucial to consider a suitable area for opening a bar where people are used to the bar culture.
You can open a bar near a corporate park as working people like relaxing after work hours. Moreover, finding the perfect location based on the locality is not enough; you need to be mindful that your space can hold the vision you have for your bar and has necessary parking space and outdoor and indoor spaces.
3. Required Licenses
If you plan to open a bar in India, you must register your business. You can register your business in various ways, like as a partnership firm or a cooperative society. Once you have registered your business, you need to apply for multiple licenses to open a bar business in India.
A basic license you have to acquire is the liquor license. Moreover, you also need an FSSAI license, music license, eating out license, health and trade license, etc. You get a comprehensive picture of the required licenses and permits for opening a restaurant business in India here in our blog.
4. Hiring and Training
The quality of any bar business and its success depend upon the quality of its drinks, dishes, ambience and service it offers. Your staff represents the tone of your establishment. Your staff needs to be reliable and engaging with your customers. Any experienced person on the staff or an expert can train the bar staff in the art of managing the bar. The bar staff can then cross-train each other to handle different roles in the bar.
During the training, it is essential to prioritize the customer experience. Any restaurant needs to train its staff to be courteous and welcoming. However, bar staff need to be specially equipped to handle customers under the influence of alcohol and avoid nuisance.
5. Right Furniture and Equipment
Your furniture and equipment add to the appeal of your restaurant. In addition to the quality of service and taste that you offer, your bar needs to provide comfortable seating and attractive dishes.
To open a bar, you need to buy bartending equipment like pint glasses, beer glasses, wine glasses, mixing glasses, etc. Your equipment checklist also requires bartending tools like jiggers, muddlers, cocktail shakers, and can openers.
Furthermore, planning your seating arrangements carefully and setting the ambience would be best. Each table should have some space and privacy so that people can chill and relax at your bar.
6. Buzz and Marketing
Once you have completed all the above steps to open a bar, you must create a buzz around your bar in the community. Opening a bar business in India is more than just setting up a space; it’s about creating a vibe that feels right from the moment customers walk in. Think of your menu as a conversation starter—more than just a list of drinks, it should reflect your bar’s personality, whether it’s quirky or classy. Every detail counts: the way your staff greets customers, the quality of your cocktails, and the music in the background—these elements shape the customer experience.
Having the right marketing strategy to promote your business is a must to increase footfall and develop a loyal customer base.
You can promote your bar online on social media platforms, have regular happy hours with an exclusive menu, and organise some events.
7. Bar Gear Checklist
- Cold Storage: Freezers, Coolers, Ice Machines
- Cooking Appliances: Stoves, Griddles, Induction Cooktops
- Quick Heating: Microwaves, Grills, Induction
- Chopping and Blending: Choppers, Blenders, Mixers
- Prep Surfaces: Worktops, Cutting Boards
- Kitchen Tools: Knives, Pots, Skillets
- Mixing Equipment: Bowls, Bins, Shelves
- Cleaning Stations: Sinks, Glass Washers
- Service Items: Utensils, Napkins, Linens
- Draft System: Kegs, Couplers, Lines, Taps
- Bar Tools: Shakers, Muddlers, Jiggers
8. Getting your Bar Team Ready
Training your bar staff is more than just the perfect mix; it’s about serving with style, engaging with guests, chatting with guests, handling busy nights with a smile, and crafting every drink to perfection, whether it’s a simple soda or a complex cocktail. A team that knows how to keep the energy up and make everyone feel welcome will have guests staying longer, enjoying themselves more, knowing their preferences, and turning one-time guests into loyal regulars who love coming back for more.
Get your bar team ready by:
- Step-by-step instructions for opening the bar (unlocking, setting up, stock checks)
- Guidelines for serving drinks (how to make cocktails, handle glasses, customer interaction)
- Create SOPs on creating a new menu, cleaning checklist, hygiene maintenance, etc, for ease of operations
- Steps for cleaning and maintaining equipment during the shift
- Procedures for managing cash and handling payments
- Closing checklist (cleaning, storing items, organising, securing the bar)
- Safety and emergency procedures
Elevate Your Bar with the Right POS
Picking the right POS for your bar business can really change how everything runs. With Petpooja Bar POS, you can handle orders at different counters, track inventory of every bottle of liquor in real-time, and even split bills however your customers prefer—all without missing a beat. Plus, you get insights on your best-selling drinks and your staff’s performance at a glance. It’s not just a POS; it’s like having a helping hand that makes running your bar much easier! 🍸💫
We hope this blog helps you in opening a bar in India. You can consider hiring a restaurant consultant to help you with finances, menu engineering, and hiring and training your staff. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for regular restaurant-related updates.
