We live in interesting times. The world is moving so fast these days and sometimes I feel like the humble bar is one of our last remaining refuges. A good bar can be an escape, it can be another world where the hassles and troubles of the day-to-day are left at the door, the relentless drone of traffic is replaced by soft jazz melodies, and the logical progression of time can be paused for just long enough to let us catch our breath.
Somehow I don’t think that I am alone. Here in Sydney the culture is changing and small bars are starting to pop up all over town. The driving force of this culture is, and will continue to be, our bartenders.
Currently I am in the middle of opening up my own place so I know how overwhelming things can get. I’ve also been slinging drinks behind some of Sydney’s most prestigious bars since the mid 90s. Over the years I have helped a lot of bar owners create fantastic and unique venues. I’ve also watched as a lot of people made some terrible mistakes. This blog is a distillation of some of my thoughts on what it takes to open and run a successful bar. I have gathered my ideas and experiences, as well as that of my friends and I have collated some resources and links to other sites that will be useful for you in the exciting journey to starting your own bar.
I hope you find it helpful. Please feel free to make any comments about your own experiences too. This industry is more than a collection of businesses. We are a community.
1 comment
Ben King
November 15, 2011 at 11:01 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Hi Daniel,
Apologies for leaving a message on the open forum (I couldn’t find your email address).
I run an AUstralian bar and nightclub website http://www.barsandnightclubs.com.au
We’ve produced a number of HD videos relating to cocktails (mainly focusing on unique cocktails) on our Youtube channel, and thought they might be of interest to yourself and your readers. We were going to feature them prominently on our site, but have decided against it, and don’t want them to go to waste.
Perhaps you would be interested in embedding some in your site?
http://www.youtube.com/BarsandNightclubsVid
In addition, you mentioned you are opening a bar. Please contact me and we would be more then happy to put it on our website.
Cheers
Ben