Neighbourhood lounge bar in leased premises

Locals meeting friends after work, couples on dates, small groups celebrating, and people from nearby offices and condos.

Customers pay per drink and snack at the bar or table. Profit comes from drink margins, steady evening traffic and keeping rent, staff and stock costs under control.

• Hospitality and customer service
• Managing stock, cash and staff rosters
• Creating a welcoming atmosphere
• Local marketing and social media

• Liquor licence: the process, wait times and costs differ by province, so check with your provincial liquor regulator before signing a lease
• Zoning, occupancy limits and fire and building code approvals for the unit, checked with your municipality
• Server training requirements for you and your staff, which many provinces have
• Food permit from your local public health unit if you serve anything beyond pre-packaged snacks
• Commercial general liability and liquor liability insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules by province)
• Music licensing fees (for example SOCAN and Re:Sound) if you play recorded or live music
• Quebec has its own licensing and French-language rules, so check them if you are there
• Long hours, late nights, and slow winter or weekday periods that can strain cash flow

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $80,000 to $250,000, depending on the unit, fit-out, licensing costs in your province and stock. These are estimates, so get real quotes before signing a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on location, opening hours and menu. That is revenue, not profit. Slow winter and weekday periods can strain cash flow, so plan for them.

Check the liquor licence process, wait times and costs with your provincial regulator before signing a lease. Also check zoning, occupancy and fire and building approvals, server training, food permits, insurance and music licensing fees. Quebec has its own rules.