Pop-Up wine bar nights

Guests who buy glasses and flights, and host venues or organizers who pay for or split the takings of event nights.

Drink and snack sales on the night, ticketed tastings, and fees from private parties, corporate events or weddings.

• Basic wine knowledge and good taste in picking a list
• Event organizing and promotion
• Friendly customer service

• Alcohol rules for events vary by state and county, and some places do not allow you to use a host's license, so confirm before selling anything
• General liability and liquor liability insurance, which venues often ask to see
• Health department rules if you serve anything beyond pre-packaged snacks
• Keeping track of sales tax and event permits for each location
• Income can be uneven and depends on a steady supply of host venues

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your wine list, glassware, snacks and other equipment. These are estimates, and your own costs will vary with how many events you run and what each host venue requires.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on how many nights you run, which venues host you and how many guests attend. That is revenue, not profit, and income can be uneven because it relies on a steady supply of host venues.

Alcohol rules for events vary by state and county, and some places do not let you use a host's license, so confirm before selling. Also check liquor and general liability insurance, health department rules for food beyond packaged snacks, and sales tax and event permits for each location.