Karaoke bar with private rooms

Friend groups, birthday and hen parties, office socials and students looking for a night out.

Room hire by the hour or per person, plus drinks and snacks. Quiet weekday slots can be filled with offers, work socials and party packages.

• Customer service and hosting
• Managing staff rotas and stock
• Local marketing and social media

• A premises licence to sell alcohol, plus a designated premises supervisor with a personal licence (rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check with your council)
• Music licensing for playing songs in public, usually from PPL PRS, plus properly licensed karaoke content
• Planning permission or change of use, noise complaints from neighbours and fire safety rules
• Public liability and employer's liability insurance, and food hygiene registration if you serve food
• High fixed costs such as rent and fit-out, so test demand before committing to a long lease

Startup costs are typically around £40,000 to £150,000, depending on the premises, soundproofing, fit-out and licensing. Rent and fit-out make fixed costs high, so test demand before committing to a long lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £10,000 to £50,000, depending on room bookings, drinks sales and location. It is usually a full-time commitment of at least 40 hours a week, and rent and staffing come out of that revenue.

Check whether you need a premises licence to sell alcohol and a designated premises supervisor with a personal licence (rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland). Also check music licensing, licensed karaoke content, planning or change of use, noise, fire safety and food hygiene registration.