Start pop-up lounge bar nights

Local people looking for something different on a weekend evening, plus groups who book a table or the whole night.

Drinks and food sales on the night, sometimes with a ticket or booking fee, and a share or hire fee agreed with the venue.

• Hosting and customer service
• Organising events and suppliers
• Promoting through social media and local contacts

• Alcohol must be sold under a valid licence, check whether the venue's premises licence covers you or whether a Temporary Event Notice is needed, as the number of notices is limited
• The person authorising alcohol sales usually needs to hold the right licence, check the rules with your council
• Food hygiene registration and allergen information if you serve food
• Public liability insurance and clear agreement on who is responsible for the venue
• Quiet nights can mean low takings, so keep costs flexible

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on the venue arrangement, drinks stock, furnishings and insurance. These are estimates, so keep costs flexible in case quiet nights bring low takings.

Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on how many nights you run and how busy they are. These are estimates, and quiet nights can mean low takings, so keep costs flexible.

Check whether the venue's premises licence covers you or a Temporary Event Notice is needed, as notices are limited. Check who must hold the right licence to authorise alcohol sales, plus food hygiene registration, allergen information and public liability insurance.