12 Passive Income Ideas For Bartenders [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a bartender in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a bartender today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a bartender.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As a bartender, you could supplement your income by starting a stock photography business. Since bars and nightlife offer unique and vibrant scenes, you could capture high-quality photos of cocktails, bar decor, and lively patrons. These images are always in demand for marketing materials and websites, making them perfect stock photos.
To get started, you could invest in good photography gear and practice taking eye-catching shots that stand out from the crowd. With an impressive portfolio, you could upload your stock photos to online platforms where they can be sold over and over again. This creates a steady stream of passive income while you continue to thrive in your bartending career.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
2. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a great way for you to share your bartending skills and passion while earning some extra income. You could create video content that showcases drink recipes, bartending tips, and behind-the-bar stories. This would not only entertain viewers but also provide them with valuable insights into the world of bartending.
With consistency and quality, you could attract a sizable audience, which opens up opportunities for earning money through ads, sponsorships, and even selling merchandise. While it requires effort to plan, shoot, and edit your videos regularly, the potential payoff in terms of income and personal satisfaction makes it a worthwhile venture. If you're ready to invest some time and energy, this could be an exciting new way to supplement your income.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
3. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be a great way for you to supplement your income while leveraging your unique experiences as a bartender. You could share tips on cocktail recipes, mixology techniques, and stories from behind the bar. By focusing on this specific niche, you could build a following of readers interested in the art of bartending.
Your blog could include how-to guides, product reviews of popular bar tools, or interviews with industry experts. As your readership grows, you could monetize through affiliate links to bar tools, collaborating with liquor brands, or even starting a YouTube channel with video tutorials. With consistent effort and engaging content, your blog could become a valuable source of passive income while allowing you to express your passion for bartending.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
4. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
As a bartender, you could consider starting a social media automation business to supplement your income while leveraging your people skills and online presence. This business would involve managing multiple social media accounts for small businesses and influencers by using tools to schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data.
Your clients would appreciate the time saved and the boost in their online engagement, while you would benefit from a steady revenue stream with the flexibility to work around your bartending schedule. Given the growing importance of social media in today's market, there is a high demand for efficient management, making this an exciting opportunity to explore. If you have an interest in technology and marketing, this could turn into a fulfilling side hustle that utilizes your existing skills in a new way.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
5. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a bartender, you could start a niche website that focuses on cocktail recipes, bartending tips, and industry insights. This allows you to use your professional knowledge to create engaging content that attracts a dedicated audience of cocktail enthusiasts and fellow bartenders.
Once your site gains traction, different monetization strategies like affiliate marketing with bar equipment, ad placements, or even selling your own e-books on mixology can generate income. Over time, your niche website could become a reliable source of passive income, offering you financial flexibility without stepping away from your bartending career.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
6. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a bartender, you could start an affiliate marketing business to supplement your income and eventually achieve passive earnings. Imagine promoting bar-related products, like high-quality cocktail mixers or trendy glassware, to your customers and online followers. Each time someone buys through your recommendation, you earn a commission, adding to your income stream without much extra effort.
You could partner with eCommerce stores or manufacturers that sell products you're already familiar with and passionate about. The best part is, once you set up your affiliate links, the commissions can come in even while you're busy serving drinks behind the bar. This means you could keep growing your earnings as you share products you genuinely like and use regularly.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
7. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be an exciting way for you to supplement your income as a bartender. You could create episodes about unique cocktails, bartending tips, and behind-the-scenes stories from bar life, which are subjects you're already knowledgeable and passionate about.
With some basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, and by choosing a niche that has an audience, you could produce engaging audio content. Promoting your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth could help you build a loyal following. Over time, you could attract sponsors or advertisers, turning your hobby into a steady stream of passive income.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
8. Make passive income with an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
As a bartender looking to supplement your income, starting an eCommerce reselling business could be a smart move. Instead of dealing with the complications of creating products, you could purchase items at a lower cost and resell them at a profit. This could be especially advantageous because you don’t need to worry about high production costs.
One great aspect of reselling is that you don’t even need a website right away. You could start small by selling products through social media platforms, which is manageable and often free. As your business grows, you could then think about expanding to a dedicated website, creating more opportunities for passive income.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.
9. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a bartender, you might have built up some unique skills, like creating cocktails, providing top-notch customer service, or managing a busy bar. You could turn these skills into an additional income stream by creating an online course. Imagine teaching others how to mix the perfect drink or how to handle a busy night behind the bar through detailed video lessons.
There's a growing market for e-learning, expected to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years. People are willing to pay to learn new skills from professionals like yourself. With just some basic equipment and a platform to sell your courses, you could start earning money even while you're working your shifts at the bar.
Putting your expertise into an online course not only helps you make money on the side but also builds your personal brand. It's a practical way to share what you're passionate about and supplement your income without a huge upfront investment.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
10. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
Starting a print-on-demand business would make sense as a bartender because it allows you to make extra money using your creative skills without needing a large investment. You could design unique apparel, home goods, or phone cases that reflect the lively bar culture, and sell them online through marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.
Since print-on-demand doesn't require holding any stock, you won't have to worry about inventory costs, making it easy to manage alongside your bartending job. It's a flexible side hustle that you can run at your own pace, giving you the opportunity to gradually build a steady stream of passive income while still enjoying your primary profession.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
11. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
If you're a bartender with an entrepreneurial spirit, getting into the AI writing tool business could be a unique way to supplement your income. By developing a tool that uses advanced technology to generate content quickly and accurately, you could offer a valuable resource for businesses, bloggers, and students who need help with writing.
Since many people need consistent, quality content, your AI writing tool could save them time and effort, making you some passive income. This opportunity lets you dive into a tech-forward venture while still maintaining your bartending career.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.
12. Make passive income with a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
As a bartender, you could use your knowledge of busy schedules and the physical demands of the job to create a health and wellness app tailored to people like you. Your app could offer personalized fitness routines, nutrition plans, and mental well-being exercises that fit into hectic, unpredictable hours. By providing reminders to drink water and guides for quick yoga practices or nutritious meal plans, you’d be helping others in high-stress professions take better care of themselves.
Starting this app would involve doing research, working with health experts, and developing and marketing the app effectively. While it requires effort upfront, the potential for positive impact and the opportunity to enter the booming health and wellness market make it a compelling side business. If you’re passionate about health and technology, this could be your way to make extra income while helping others lead healthier lives.
How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
