Where is the best place to open a new bar in the Denver metro area? (for sale)

[Christi84]

My husband and I are looking to open a new bar but we are stumped as to where we should look. Such establishments are time-consuming and costly, we know, but as of right now we are willing to put in every ounce of effort it entails. We would just love some opinions of people that live around here.

[davebarnes]

1. Search Google for "how to select a location for your new business".

2. Near other bars.

3. Not near schools.

4. Where you can get a liquor license. Even better, use an existing license.

5. Where you can make money.
a. Affordable rent.

[leosmama]

What kind of bar?

[woob]

there are a couple of empty properties near first and broadway. every establishment on south broadway seems to be booming.

[livecontent]

From your general question, it is apparent to me that you have very little experience in this type of business. Someone who has financial and operational experience in this difficult part of the hospitality business would have more acumen in site placement of this type of business, the marketing and the concept. This type of experienced person would not have to ask such a question to ascertain the availability and potential market on a casual forum; this person would know how to seek that information and apply that data.

I would suggest you go to work for someone who has such a business and learn the hard core part of the business, instead of just having a naive approach of "looking to open a new bar". In addition, write a business plan because you will need that seek financing and credit. You also better learn about all the legal and political issues that are involved in getting a liquor license in the different municipalities.

Or a better approach may be to seek a business that is for sale where you can buy the liquor license that has already been established, as been suggested by davebarnes because a getting a new one is extremely difficult. You can take over the bar and then have some of the operation going, perhaps have the old owner willing to train you, and latter change the concept if it does not suite you.

I have run across so many silly, naive people, over my many years, that have more money than intelligence about the hospitality business and go in with more dreams than reality. The result is that they are still silly and naive, but now poorer.

Livecontent

[ryanek9freak]

Having prior experience with this, I can tell you owning a bar is not just tiring, but money, time and sanity sucking. Unless you've got over a million in cash just lying around, don't bother. You wont ever get rich owning a bar, you're subject to so many BS liquor laws that you can't do anything, and there's no way to keep people from stealing from you, thus requiring you to be present over 90 hours a week.

Youll be able to make enough money to pay the rent, liquor/food overhead, and pay your staff, and it will leave you with nothing. Unless you own your own building, it's just not worth it.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by woob

there are a couple of empty properties near first and broadway. every establishment on south broadway seems to be booming.

That does not mean you can get a liquor license for those properties. The local determinations of characteristics and quality of life for a neighborhood always takes precedents over the freedoms of the rights to compete; for liquor establishment are not under the full protection of that right. In addition just because there are other thriving liquor establishments, does not mean that another establishment will be allowed to be placed. The local authorities may make a determination that there is enough for the area to be served and they have legal right to make that decision, even where that restriction is not in place for other types of businesses. In addition, you can very well bet that the other establishments will exercise pressure to prevent another business and they can make that concern public because they can also address the characteristics of a neighborhood that would diminish with more bars, even though their main motive may be to reduce competition.

Also, for example, a local established sandwich shop, bakery, clothing store etc. next door or in proximity to a empty property can petition the authorities to disallow the placement of a new liquor establishment because it will adversely affect the quality of its business because a liquor establishment can be considered intrusive and troublesome. The concerns of the local residents is even more taken in consideration and that is why there are legal postings and hearings, with the cost paid by the applicant of the license.

An established bar that causes deterioration of the quality of the neighborhood because of adverse continual troublesome events can well be challenged by other local businesses and residents so to have the liquor license removed. That is why a bar must always be continually managed to prevent any disturbance to the neighborhood to protect its liquor license. It does not even need a formal complaint as bars are closed suddenly everday by local governments where the determination of the protection of the public good and safety is not met. The establishments are monitor closely and that is why you will see signs that police will be called for all disturbances; enough problems and it is the end of the bar.

There is much more to the legal right of placement of a liquor establishment than the issue of being close to a school, as many commonly and simply believe.

The day of the mom and pop bar and grill has passed where anybody with a little money can open these establishment. Laws and insurance requirements was lax in the past. Government oversight was minimal and the license was easier to get and sometimes just the grease to the palm of the local alderman was needed. In the past the local liquor suppliers could carry the bar on credit for delivery for liquor; today their is severe restrictions and fines; the supplier must be paid within a defined limit of time. There are many more restrictions and just because someone has the money to buy a gold gilded bathtub does not mean they can easily open another gin joint.

Livecontent