The Cocktail Bar: Notes for an Owner & Operator

The Cocktail Bar: Notes for an Owner & Operator  image 1

Category: Books

Sub Category: Bar & bartending manuals


Author(s): Chall Gray
ISBN: 978-0-9968277-9-9
Published: February 2018
Format: Hardback, 122 pages

There’s a lesson to be learned in reading The Cocktail Bar. Don’t be disillusioned by its size. This handy and practical guide delivers wise direction and golden nuggets on bar ownership, from concept to operation.

Chall Gray, seasoned bar operator, has been there and done it. So, he’s a word to say on how to do it right.

The Cocktail Bar has invaluable insight for those taking the plunge into entrepreneurship. Gray considers useful strategies, from finances and partnerships to design and service structure. The chapters, enriched with best practices to help aspiring bar owners, are peppered with noteworthy quotes from industry professionals.

The book is divided into four principal sections: planning - part one and two, opening and operating. Following Gray’s preface, the brief but concise introduction discusses the bar owner’s challenge and the probability of failure.

The first two chapters review concept. Gray highlights the importance of evaluating the market, naming your venue and establishing the bar’s design, culture and ambience. Even barstools and passing space are details to muse over. Gray deals with start-up costs and projections and everything in-between.

Building a successful bar goes beyond hard work, as Gray advises, there are guidelines to follow to put your bar in the best position. In the final sections of the book, he offers notes on hiring, initial training and accounting. Marketing he points out is difficult to do effectively but nonetheless should be factored in. And despite this exhaustive manual, Gray considers bar ownership a rewarding career.

“Opening a bar is a difficult, often gruelling task...basically, for many of us that do it, being a bar operator is one of the greatest professions in the world,” says Chall Gray.

Whether you want to explore how to open a bar or run a successful operation, which mistakes to avoid, and what finer details go a long way, perhaps the difference between failure and success – Gray has it covered.

The Cocktail Bar is available to buy from Amazon here.

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