Open an independent irish bar and kitchen

Local residents, office workers, tourists, sports fans and groups booking tables or events.

Drinks and food sales, plus private hires, music nights and event bookings. Without a tie you can negotiate with suppliers, but you carry the fit-out, rent and running costs yourself.

• Hospitality management and leading a team
• Budgeting, stock control and supplier negotiation
• Marketing a venue locally and on social media

• A premises licence and a designated premises supervisor are normally needed; check your local licensing authority and the rules in your nation
• Planning permission or change of use may be needed, plus building regulations for fit-out; check with your council before signing a lease
• Commercial leases can carry long commitments and personal guarantees, so get a solicitor to review them
• Music and TV licences, food hygiene registration, insurance and a fire risk assessment
• Business rates, energy costs and high upfront spending; many venues take time to build regular trade

Our estimates put startup costs typically around £60,000 to £250,000, depending on whether you lease or buy, the condition of the site and how much you spend on fit-out. Many venues take time to build regular trade.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on location, size, food and how many live music and sport nights you run. This is revenue, not profit, so business rates and energy costs still apply.

Check the premises licence and designated premises supervisor rules with your local licensing authority, and whether planning permission or change of use is needed. Also check music and TV licences, food hygiene registration, insurance, a fire risk assessment, and have a solicitor review any lease.