Small late-night club venue

Paying nightlife customers through bar sales and door entry, plus groups who book tables or hire the venue for private parties.

Mostly drinks sales, with cover charges on busy nights, table or booth bookings, private hires and some sponsorship from drinks brands. Income depends heavily on weekend crowds and on keeping wages and rent under control.

• Running a bar or venue team
• Booking DJs and promoting nights
• Managing cash, stock and budgets
• Handling crowds and difficult situations calmly

• A liquor licence is essential, and the type, late-trading hours and conditions vary by state and council, so check with your state's licensing body
• Council planning or development approval for the use, hours, noise and occupancy limits, since neighbours' complaints can affect your approval
• Security and crowd controller licensing, responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training for bar staff, and any lockout or precinct rules in your area
• Music licensing for playing recorded or live music publicly, so check what you need through the relevant licensing bodies
• Public liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire staff, and fire safety and building compliance
• High upfront costs and a long lease, so confirm your numbers and get advice before signing

Startup costs are typically around $150,000 to $600,000, depending on the venue, lease, fit-out and sound system. These are estimates, so confirm your numbers and get advice before signing a long lease.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on trading nights, bar sales, door entry and private hire. This is revenue before costs such as rent, staff, security and stock.

Check the liquor licence type, late-trading hours and conditions with your state licensing body, and council planning approval for hours, noise and occupancy. Also check security licensing, RSA training, music licensing, insurance, and fire safety and building compliance.