Neighbourhood piano bar

Couples, friends and after-work groups looking for a calm night out, plus people celebrating birthdays or small events.

Mostly drink sales, plus food, the odd cover charge on special nights, and private bookings of the room or a section of it.

• Hospitality and customer service
• Managing staff and stock
• Booking and working with musicians
• Basic bookkeeping

• A liquor licence is required and can take months. The rules, costs and capacity limits differ by province, so check your provincial regulator
• Staff who serve alcohol usually need provincial responsible-service training, such as Smart Serve in Ontario
• Check with SOCAN and Re:Sound about licences for playing music in public
• Commercial general liability insurance and liquor liability cover. Check what your insurer and landlord require
• A food permit from your local public health unit if you serve food
• Long evening hours, high fixed costs for rent and staff, and slower winter or midweek trade
• WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire staff (rules vary by province), and a Quebec-specific permit and French-language rules if you open there

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $80,000 to $300,000, depending on the premises, fit-out, licensing costs in your province and how much stock and equipment you buy. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $25,000 to $90,000.

Things to check include a liquor licence, which can take months and differs by province, responsible-service training for staff such as Smart Serve in Ontario, SOCAN and Re:Sound music licences, and a food permit from your local public health unit if you serve food.

Estimates suggest at least 40 hours a week, typically with long evening hours. Fixed costs such as rent and staff are high, and winter and midweek trade can be slower, so plan your hours and cash flow accordingly.