13 Bar Business Ideas To Start In [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: July 15th, 2024

People love going to bars. There's something about being surrounded by strangers; the movement, the energy, the alcohol, and it's intoxicating. So it makes sense that opening a bar can be a profitable move for any business person.

Many people like to drink cocktails at a bar. It is a good place to meet friends and relax. Of course, you can enjoy classical cocktails in bars but today more and more people want to try new things and maybe create their own unique cocktails. That's why starting your own bar could be a smart business idea.

The bars market is expected to grow to $530B in 2026. The bar business is a profitable retail business. It gives a good return on investment and needs little to no floor space.

Here is a list of the top 13 Bar Business Ideas you can start in 2022:

1. Start a barware business

Barware has been the fastest-growing industry in the global wine market.

Barware products are relatively easy to source, and the margins are usually pretty healthy since bar owners see barware as an extension of their kitchen equipment rather than a profit center.

If you’re dreaming of starting a business from scratch, you can consider a new barware store.

2. Start a karaoke bar business

Karaoke bars provide karaoke equipment so people sing publicly on a set stage.

The karaoke bars are high-traffic and can generate income quickly compared to standard nightclubs.

Karaoke bars feature essential lighting and giveaways to encourage singers and their participation and let the booze flow!

How much you can make: $12,000/month

How We Raised $45K To Build A Mobile Karaoke

Kelli Bielema and Vanessa Resler run The AirScream, a mobile karaoke lounge in a vintage Airstream located in Seattle, WA, which began as a successful Kickstarter campaign raising $45k.

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3. Start a protein bar company

The protein bar market is one of the fastest-growing industries around, and is growing in size every day.

The global protein bar market is projected to reach $7.03 Bn by 2027, with a CAGR of 5.6%.

There are various protein bar companies, and we've detailed the key players in the industry below.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $3,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 195 days (?)

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4. Start a bar crawl business

A bar crawl business is an event planning company that organizes tours of multiple bars in a specific area.

To start a bar crawl business, research the local bar scene and identify popular establishments that would attract customers.

Develop a unique theme or route for your bar crawl to differentiate it from others in the area. Secure necessary permits and licenses and establish partnerships with bars to ensure a smooth and successful event.

With careful planning and execution, a bar crawl business can provide a fun and memorable experience for customers while generating revenue for the owner.

How much you can make: $3,500/month

How much does it cost to start: $450 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

On Starting A $3.5K/Month European-Style Pub Crawl Business In Denver

Denver Pub Crawl is a US-European hybrid experience for tourists and locals run by Tyler, with operations that not only were able to scale around variables like capacity and number of attendees, but also managed to grow his team from two part-time members to a team of four, including a paid intern, while answering the question of what the future looks like: continuing to push, grow, and create.

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5. Start a camper van bar business

Turn a vintage camper van into a unique and mobile bar to create memorable experiences for your customers. The concept is simple: retrofit a camper van with all the necessities of a bar and bring the party to various locations.

Imagine pulling up to private events, festivals, or busy city corners, offering curated beverages and a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere. The flexibility of this business model is appealing; you’re not tied to one location and can adapt to different themes and customer preferences.

Getting started requires thoughtful planning—securing a suitable van, getting the necessary permits, and setting up a supply chain for drinks and bar essentials. But the effort can be rewarding. You’ll have the chance to create a one-of-a-kind service that stands out in the traditional bar scene, all while fostering a growing community of loyal patrons who eagerly anticipate your next stop.

How much you can make: $15,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

We Built A Coffee Shop In A Van That Makes $180K/Year

This case study follows the co-founder of Camper Cafe, a mobile coffee van business which started as a hobby and now has 6 units that supply the UK's biggest sporting events, commercial and film shoots, generating around £150k from working only 70 days of the year.

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6. Start a wine club

A wine club offers members inside access to favorite wines from favorite vineyards. Members enjoy access to wine cultural experiences such as tastings and other exclusive events. The wine clubs provide members a series of monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual premium-quality wine shipments and benefits.

Starting a wine club is pretty simple! Invite people you know and the existing customers. You can also advertise starting a wine club in wine enthusiast magazines and online communities.

How much you can make: $85,000 — $270,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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7. Start a juice bar

The increasing popularity of healthy juices and low start-up costs make starting a healthy juice shop appealing.

To start a healthy fresh juice business, prepare a business plan, create juice recipes and ensure you have the licenses and permits to sell fresh juice. Locate local producers and source fresh fruits for your business.

8. Start a sports bar

People drink when they are happy or depressed. Opening a sports bar can be an excellent opportunity to earn money no matter their mood.

Are you looking for a strip mall business idea? You can start a sports bar at your nearest strip mall. You can sell take-away wines, spirits, whiskey, or beers and have a sitting place for customers who enjoy drinks at the bar.

9. Start a wine bar

A wine bar is a small restaurant selling only wine rather than liquor or beer. Wine bars feature a wide range of wine brands from selected vineyards.

To start a wine bar, research the market and find an ideal location for your business. Identify the best-selling wine brands and stock them in your wine bar. You must have a license and an alcohol selling permit to operate the wine bar.

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

10. Start a cocktail class business

Cocktail classes teach the theory and techniques for creating basic bartender drinks. The mixology classes are ideal for bartenders and individuals who want to master the skill of mixing different flavors to make classic cocktails.

If you are in the catering industry, mixology classes is one of the easiest businesses you can start. If interested, you can begin lessons targeted to people interested in working in the bar and restaurant industry.

11. Start a wine tour business

Wine tourists visit wineries and vineyards where they experience gorgeous views and learn more about wine production. There are plenty of places that wine tourists can visit. To start a wine tour business, create a profile of your area’s top wineries and vineyards. Include different activities related to the wine tour business.

Then, market the trips to those attractive locations, showing the features the tourists can expect to see there. Wine tour businesses offer their customers a mix of luxury private tours to big group tours.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $85,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

How We Started A $75K/Month Wine Club

Roscoli Wine Club founders, Alessandro Pepe and Lindsay Gabbard, share how they built a wine club that is about to cross the 1,000 member mark with annual revenue of 1 million euros after just about 3 years, offering Italian wines from small producers, farmed organically, minimal sulfites added, and providing every member with a 10-minute video of the winemaker's story.

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12. Start a wine consulting business

The wine consultancy business is transitioning the wine industry. Wine consultants are professionals with extensive knowledge of wine, including how to recognize different wine styles, wine aging potential, and flavor profiles.

Their core task is to advise wineries, bars, and restaurant owners on every aspect of designing and diversifying wine programs to hiring sommeliers and wine directors.

The experts help with the operations and creating sales programs for restaurants and hotel clients. To become a wine consultant, you will need a background in wine, either by training to be a sommelier or working at a bar, winery or vineyard.

As a wine consultant, you will seek out new business opportunities and focus on cultivating client relationships.

13. Start a hookah bar

If you are planning to start a night time business in cities like New York, one of the options you may consider is the Hookah bar. Also known as shisha bars, the hookah bars sell tobacco from a communal hookah placed at each table.

The hookah bars market has grown significantly over the past decade and is expected to reach $ 1.7 million in the next few years. Establishing a Hookah bar is a great opportunity as you will profit from the growing market.

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Pat Walls