Neighborhood sports bar with a full menu

Local fans, after-work groups, friends meeting for games, and sports teams or leagues looking for a place to celebrate.

Drink and food sales, with the biggest nights on game days. Extra income from trivia nights, league sign-ups, private party bookings and pay-per-view events.

• Managing staff and schedules
• Cost control for drinks and food
• Friendly, confident customer service
• Handling busy, noisy nights calmly

• Liquor license type, cost, wait times and any local limits on the number of licenses, which vary a lot by state and city
• Liquor liability (dram shop) rules and insurance, plus general liability and workers' compensation once you hire
• Commercial TV and sports package accounts, since home subscriptions usually can't be used in a business; check the terms with providers
• Health department permit, fire code occupancy limits, zoning and certificate of occupancy for the space
• Music licensing for playing music in a business, and rules on tipped wages and staff in your state
• Long, late hours and high upfront costs, so check how much cash you'd need to cover the first months

Startup costs are typically around $150,000 to $600,000, depending on the space, fit-out, equipment and licensing. Upfront costs are high, so check how much cash you'd need to cover the first months.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $35,000 to $150,000, depending on location, hours and menu. Time needed starts at around 50 hours a week, often late. Revenue is not profit.

Liquor license type, cost and wait times vary by state and city. Also check dram shop rules and insurance, commercial TV and sports package accounts, health permits, fire code occupancy, zoning, certificate of occupancy and music licensing.