Start a neighbourhood tiki bar

Locals out for date nights, friends meeting after work, small groups celebrating birthdays and tourists looking for something different.

Sales of cocktails, beer, wine and snacks, with higher margins on signature cocktails. Extra income can come from private bookings, themed nights and merchandise like branded mugs.

• Cocktail making and bar knowledge
• Customer service and hosting
• Managing stock, costs and staff
• Creative theming and branding

• Liquor licence rules, wait times and fees differ by province and can take months, so check with your provincial regulator before signing a lease
• Zoning, occupancy limits, fire safety and public health inspections for your premises, so check with your municipality
• Server training or certification may be required for you and your staff, check your province's requirements
• Commercial general liability and liquor liability insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire
• Slow winter months and weak patio revenue, so plan your cash flow for seasonality
• High startup, rent and fit-out costs, and thin margins if stock is wasted or over-poured

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $100,000 to $400,000, depending on premises, rent and fit-out. High startup, rent and fit-out costs mean margins can be thin if stock is wasted or over-poured, so budget carefully.

Liquor licence rules, wait times and fees differ by province and can take months, so check with your provincial regulator before signing a lease. Also check zoning, occupancy limits, fire safety and health inspections with your municipality, plus server training requirements.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on seat count, location and season. Slow winter months and weak patio revenue are worth planning for, so build seasonality into your cash flow.