Neighbourhood bar with live music nights

Locals, students, friends' groups and music fans who come for a drink and stay for the act.

Mostly drinks sales, with some food and occasional door or ticket charges. Music nights are there to fill quieter evenings and build a regular crowd.

• Customer service and a friendly manner
• Organising staff rotas and bookings
• Managing stock and cash carefully
• Building relationships with local musicians

• You will need a premises licence covering alcohol sales, and usually a named personal licence holder. Check the rules in your part of the UK, as Scotland and Northern Ireland differ from England and Wales
• Check whether your licence and planning use allow live music and the hours you want
• Music licensing: check whether you need licences from PPL PRS (for example TheMusicLicence)
• Noise complaints from neighbours can put your licence at risk, so check soundproofing and speak to your council's environmental health team
• Food hygiene registration with your council if you serve food
• Public liability and employer's liability insurance, plus a fire risk assessment
• Long hours, late nights and cash-flow pressure from rent and business rates

Startup costs are typically around £30,000 to £120,000, depending on your premises, lease terms, fit-out and stock. Rent and business rates also put pressure on cash flow, so plan your reserves carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically around £12,000 to £45,000, depending on your location, opening hours and how busy your music nights are. That is revenue, not profit, so allow for rent, rates and staff.

Check that you have a premises licence covering alcohol, usually with a named personal licence holder, as rules differ across the UK. Also check live music is allowed, PPL PRS licences, noise rules and food hygiene registration.