Starting an Irish Pub

[ChaseManset]

Although a rough thought, I have been flirting around with the idea of opening an Irish Pub, solely beer and wine to start, but potentially into a full scale liquor establishment, in Boise, ID. I have seen a trend within our community of the 21-22 year olds go full force into the "downtown" bar scene, then get burnt out, either from lifestyle, the cost, or a combination of the two. Like many others, we found ourselves in the same situation, just got sick of the "downtown" seen, and recently have been seeking establishments not so intense, but rather laid back with awesome atmosphere. I lived in Spain for a few months and traveled all over Europe, where you can find an Irish Pub on every other corner of almost any city. What I have seen a lack of in our community, is a solid Irish Pub style bar. My potential partner and I have opened a savings account together, each contributing equal sums monthly, planning to have around 10k saved over the next 10 months. Within this time period, we are drawing up a quite extensive business plan, and will constantly be keeping our eyes open for locations. We plan to have start up costs right around 50k. Both of us have worked in bars, currently I work in a brewpub, and understand the industry fairly well. We plan to be strictly a bar, no kitchen, at least not at startup. We have quite a unique theme for the pub, a huge network of friends throughout the community in various age brackets, and most importantly the drive to open a bar that people will enjoy. Both of us realize we probably won't make more money than we do now, plan to not take any cash from the business until we have repaid our loan, and potentially until we can afford a liquor license. I just would like to hear your thoughts, criticisms and any other sort of feedback about our potential pub. Thank you for your time.

Chase Manset

[kingmoore]

It seems to me the busy downtown bars cram so many people in them they they really make way more money than a low key bar would.

[Franakapan]

Not necessarily kingmoore; if there is a market for low-key bars that are being underserved, a low-key bar might turn out to be a lucrative business.

Have you done any research into the local demand for an Irish pub Chase, or is the idea based upon your own opinions and experience?

[ChaseManset]

I have done some research, not necessarily for the demand of an Irish Pub, but rather for the trends in establishments people inhabit. The trend seems to be that our "downtown" scene, if you will, consists of mainly 21-22 age demographic. After getting either sick of or burnt out of downtown, people are seeking out either neighborhood establishments closer to home, or more of a bar they consider to be a regular. From my research I have concluded that an Irish Style Pub, one that people would considered regular, would quickly develop a loyal customer base and be fairly lucrative. I can definitely see a demand for a bar that people want to be loyal to here in Boise. Our vision of this Irish Pub is more of a experience factor for us, and have a place that is based more around the customers, and giving a place for people to call home.

Kingmore, "It seems to me the busy downtown bars cram so many people in them they they really make way more money than a low key bar would."

We realize that especially starting out as solely a beer bar, our revenues will not be comparable to a "downtown" establishment, and definitely don't plan to get rich off of it. Our niche here is not to "cram so many people in" and give people a local hangout. I posted this thread to hear thoughts, opinions, and criticisms from people about their experiences and knowledge. So please, let them pour in.

[Envydia]

It sounds like a good idea. I think you should research a little more the demographic and look for exact prices.

[akula]

common rules of thumb:

1. never, ever start consumer ventures. they are unpredictable. if your pub doesn't get real popular real quick for some fluke reason, there's nothing you can do to make it popular (i.e. they are unmarketable).

2. always do ventures which supply industry. do you know who makes the real money in hospitality? it's the 1-5 wholesale liquor suppliers who sell to the 100+ little pubs.

be smart - always supply industry.

is there a lot of irish pubs in europe (i.e. "every other corner of almost any city")? that's very good. market a product/service that helps these pubs compete against eachother.

that's the best opportunity for you

lower risk, higher return

[akula]

I have concluded that an Irish Style Pub, one that people would considered regular, would quickly develop a loyal customer base and be fairly lucrative. I can definitely see a demand for a bar that people want to be loyal to here in Boise.

this is classic confirmation bias

there's absolutely no reason to believe that your pub would become popular

have you ever been in an empty pub? that could be your pub.

[akula]

It sounds like a good idea. I think you should research a little more the demographic and look for exact prices.

why does it sound like a good idea?

[DJ Samson]

We don't really know Chase's location so we can't really say this will/won't work.

I will say this:

Small towns run on the local Irish pubs. Which means if you have good service and the town isn't saturated with pubs, you may be able to succeed.

The "no kitchen" concept is a tough one. I live in a populated suburban town and we don't have many pubs. But all of my relatives live 3 hours away in a small town. They pretty much live at the pubs every weekend.

My aunt/uncle go to the pubs by themselves because their kids are in college and they don't need to take care of them. Your "drink only" theory might fit well with them since they don't have to bring kids.

My other uncle, who has a wife and three kids, is probably the biggest drinker of the whole family. But the pubs he goes to serve drinks and food. Everything from burgers to fish and chips. If you do drink only, you will lose out on the demographic that has children and the people who also want some food - not just drinks.

I'm not going to tell you what to do because I've never ran a pub before. But I have been a customer and an observer.