Pop-Up restaurant nights

Food-loving locals and groups of friends who book a seat through your website, social media or a ticketing platform.

Ticket or set-menu prices per guest, with optional drinks sales if the venue holds the licence. Venue hire is usually a fixed fee or a share of sales.

• Cooking for groups to a set menu
• Planning, ordering and prep
• Promoting yourself on social media
• Hosting guests

• Food business registration or notification for each council or state, and rules on food safety supervisors
• Alcohol cannot simply be sold without a licence, so check whether the venue's licence covers your event or whether you need a permit
• Public liability insurance, and whether the venue requires you to hold your own
• Refund policy and allergy information for pre-booked guests
• Income from the nights, including registering for an ABN and tracking when GST applies

As an estimate, startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on venue or kitchen hire, equipment, ingredients and marketing. Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on ticket prices, seats and how many nights you run.

Check food business registration or notification for each council or state, and food safety supervisor rules. Also check whether the venue's liquor licence covers your event or you need a permit, public liability insurance, refund policy, allergy information, and ABN and GST.

Estimates suggest at least around 15 hours a week. Useful skills include cooking a set menu for groups, planning, ordering and prep, promoting yourself on social media, and hosting guests.