The Bar Business Podcast: Bar & Pub Owner Profits, Marketing & Operations

Some nights, the problem isn’t staffing or service, it’s that the seats simply aren’t filled.  Early-week shifts can drain profits fast, and relying on deep discounts often does more harm than good.  In this episode, we’ll walk through five proven, no-cost strategies to turn slow nights into high-performing ones.  📌  What You’ll Learn 📌  🌟 Why partnering with the “wrong” business can be your be...

Most bar owners spend hours tweaking their menu or pricing strategy and barely think twice about the lighting, music, or layout.  But what if the way your bar feels is quietly bleeding money... or driving up your revenue?  This episode breaks down how your atmosphere directly influences customer behavior, from how long they stay to how much they spend.    📌  What You’ll Learn 📌  🌟 How your bar’...

You’ve got a team that shows up, but somehow the service is hit or miss and it’s driving you (and your guests) nuts.  The truth is, most bar training is rushed, inconsistent, or just flat-out missing the mark. This episode breaks down a simple way to train your staff daily in small, bite-sized pieces without overhauling your whole operation.   📌  What You’ll Learn 📌  🌟 Why most bar training fai...

Most bar owners focus so hard on pricing and promotions, they miss the real reason customers come back or don’t.  It’s not always about the money.  It’s how people feel when they walk in, order a drink, and interact with your team.  📌  What You’ll Learn 📌   🌟 Why service gaps kill repeat business  🌟 How to map the full guest journey  🌟 The one ratio your marketing hinges on  🌟 What your revi...

Most bars have no idea what it really costs to bring in a new customer.  And if they are tracking it, they’re usually missing half the expenses.  This episode breaks down a simple way to calculate your true customer acquisition cost so you’re not just guessing.   📌  What You’ll Learn 📌  🌟Why CAC is the number most bars ignore but shouldn’t 🌟The simple math that reveals if your marketing actual...

Feel like every tech company is trying to sell you the next “must-have” tool for your bar?  You’re not crazy, and half of them don’t even understand how bars actually work.  In this episode, we’re talking about why most bar tech ends up wasting your time and money and how to figure out what’s actually worth the investment.  📌  What You’ll Learn 📌   🌟Why bar tech drains profits before you even n...

Your bar’s bringing in money, but somehow you’re still stressing about next week’s payroll. Sound familiar? It’s one of the most frustrating things: sales look solid, your P&L shows a profit, but the cash just isn’t there when you need it.  This episode breaks down why that happens and how to fix it before it turns into a real emergency. *What You’ll Learn:* 🌟Why profit doesn’t mean you’ve go...

Dive into the world of cocktails with Neal Bodenheimer, one of the top bar owners globally and co-chair of Tales of the Cocktail. Discover the magic behind this iconic event and how it shapes the cocktail industry. Neal shares his journey from a college bar bouncer to a leading figure in the hospitality industry. Learn about his passion for giving back through the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation...

Think cutting labor costs is the only way to keep your bar profitable?  I used to believe that too, but I’ve learned that obsessively cutting labor often hurts your profits instead of helping them. In this episode, I’ll show you how investing in your staff through strategic overstaffing and better pay can actually make you MORE money by improving guest experience, reducing turnover, and increasing...

Think your pricing strategy is solid because your drink cost is sitting at 20%?  I used to think that too until I realized the standard markup model was leaving serious money on the table.  In this episode, I’ll walk you through how a few small shifts in pricing psychology can increase your profits without raising prices across the board or scaring off your regulars.   📌  What You’ll Learn 📌   W...

Are you feeling stuck in your business or contemplating a major career change? Many entrepreneurs find themselves at a crossroads, unsure of how to pivot or reinvent themselves in a constantly evolving market.  In this episode, we chat with Kelvin Abrams, who transformed his journey from a government employee to a successful doggy daycare owner and, eventually, a high-end bourbon bar owner.    Wha...

Looked at your menu and thought, “No one’s really gonna order that $12 juice, right?” I thought the same.  But here’s the truth mocktails and zero-proof drinks are on the rise. And if your bar isn’t leaning in, you’re probably leaving money on the table. In this episode, I’m breaking down how the sober curious trend is changing the game and how bar owners like you can turn it into a real opportuni...

Menu engineering isn’t just about what’s selling it’s about understanding why it’s selling, and how each item on your menu affects your bottom line.  In this episode, I  break down into the advanced side of menu engineering: the psychology, operational impact, and customer behavior behind what stays, what goes, and what truly drives profitability.  We’ll cover:  Why removing “unprofitable” items m...

Managing a bar takes more than great service and solid sales you also need accurate financial systems behind the scenes.  In this episode, I walk through how to properly move sales data from your POS system into QuickBooks, and why doing it right can save you time, reduce errors, and improve your cash flow.  We’ll cover:  What data you actually need to move from POS to QuickBooks Common mistakes b...

Let’s be honest, running a bar is one thing.  Running a nightclub? That’s a whole different game.  In this episode, I’m joined by Connor Treacy, who co-founded Off Sunset, one of LA’s most buzzed-about nightclubs. We talk through everything you don’t see on Instagram what it really takes to keep a club relevant, why you’re basically running a circus, and how a tiny 150-person room was pulling in $...

Are your food and beverage costs higher than expected?  Learn the key food cost calculation formulas and strategies to take control of your margins and protect your restaurant finances.  Many restaurants and bars struggle with tracking the cost of goods sold restaurant data accurately, leading to unexpected losses. Understanding the difference between actual and theoretical costs can help you maxi...

Want to make smarter, more profitable decisions without working longer hours?  Your POS system holds the answers. Most bar owners barely scratch the surface of the data they already have. But when you know what to look for, you can spot waste, improve margins, and make every shift run smoother.  In today’s episode:  Learn which weekly reports actually boost your bottom line Track inventory the rig...

Want to raise prices without losing customers or damaging your guest experience?  Rising costs are unavoidable, but raising your prices doesn’t have to feel risky. With the right timing, menu strategy, and communication, you can protect your margins and keep guests happy.  In today’s episode: Learn the best times of year to raise prices (without guest backlash) Use smart menu design to minimize pr...

Want to keep more of what you earn and build long-term security for yourself and your team?  Retirement planning may sound overwhelming — but with the right strategy, it can reduce your taxes, attract better employees, and set you up for the future.  In this episode, I talk with Matt Ruttenberg, co-owner and Director of Business Development at Life, Inc. Retirement Services. Matt helps businesses,...

Want a bar that runs faster, smoother, and more profitably, without burning out your staff?  Boosting your speed of service doesn’t mean cutting corners. With the right bar setup, systems, and training, you can serve more guests, increase revenue, and keep both customers and staff happy.  In today’s episode:  Discover hidden setup mistakes that slow your bar down Implement systems that double your...

Want a team that actually makes your bar better, not harder to run?  Building the right team doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. With the right systems, you can hire smarter, train faster, and keep morale high.  In today’s episode:  Learn how to create a hiring process that attracts the right people  Set clear expectations and avoid team drama before it starts  Build a steady pipeline so you&a...

 Are your bar events packed but your profits still "Missing In Action"?  Plenty of bar owners throw high-energy events that look great on the surface but behind the scenes, they’re losing money without even realizing why.  In today’s episode:  Learn the key numbers that make or break your event's bottom line Nail your staffing strategy so you’re not overpaying or underprepared Spot...

Ever dreamt of opening your own bar — only to wonder if you’re cut out for the chaos that comes with it? Gregg Singer didn’t set out to open a bar. What started as a real estate deal turned into The Golden Monkey Lounge in Glens Falls, NY — and a crash course in what it really takes to run a bar from the ground up. This isn’t a story about ribbon cuttings or flashy cocktails. It’s about long night...

 Is your late-night crowd disappearing faster than your beer inventory?  Many bar owners watch their late-night sales plummet without understanding the real reasons why guests aren't staying - or coming back.  In today's episode: Learn how to energize and optimize your late-night team  Master the perfect late-night menu and pricing strategy  Discover the environmental factors that keep g...

Is your craft beer program facing its biggest challenge yet? With craft beer production plummeting 4% in 2024—the largest decline outside the pandemic—bar owners need to act fast to protect their profits. For the first time in two decades, brewery closures (501) have outpaced openings (434). This seismic shift signals a transformation in consumer preferences and market dynamics that directly impac...