Small dinner theatre venue with regular shows

Couples and friends on a night out, tourists, and groups booking private functions, birthdays and corporate events.

Combined ticket sales, drinks sales and private hire. Shows can be your own production or hired-in acts that share ticket income.

• Running a hospitality venue
• Programming and producing shows
• Managing staff and rosters
• Marketing and bookings

• Check council approvals for the premises, including planning, building safety, maximum capacity and fire requirements
• A liquor licence from your state or territory regulator can take time and cost money, so check requirements early
• Food business registration with your local council, and a food safety supervisor where required
• Public liability, property and workers compensation insurance once you hire staff
• Music, script and performance licensing, and check the rules for noise and late-night trading
• High fixed costs such as rent and wages, so work out how many seats you must sell to break even
• Fit-out costs for a stage, lighting, sound, seating and a commercial kitchen can be high, so get quotes before signing a lease

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $120,000 to $400,000, depending on your lease, fit-out of the stage, lighting, sound, seating and kitchen, and licensing costs. Get quotes before signing a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on seats sold, how many nights you run and private function bookings. Rent and wages are high fixed costs, so work out your break-even point.

Check council approvals for planning, building safety, capacity and fire requirements, plus a liquor licence from your state or territory regulator. Also check food business registration, music and script licensing, and noise and late-night trading rules.