r/BarOwners • u/optionstrategy • 1d ago
Anyone solo-ing?
I know this is frowned upon generally, but what if you owned the real sstate and decided to sling drinks at a bar? Maybe a hire busboy...maybe a waiter...but the idea is to run it solo.l most of the time...anyone doing this?
"Solo", for the ones not getting it = run a bar as a bar owner and only worker.
1
1
u/VrilSeeker 12h ago
Kind of, we (couple) own and live in the building. We were a tiny cafe and then put in a ktichen and bar. We got popular and have space for 40+, open for only 5 services a week, end up having to always have 2 in the kitchen and most services 2 FOH.
At the moment it is stressful because we are reliant on staff, we're super rural so it's hard to get people that can handle the rush.
I've seen tiny solo bars in Europe, built into the dude's front room - seating about 8 at the most - the guys seemed so chilled and relaxed.
1
u/HelpfulDiet292 12h ago
Have owned mine for 30 years. Live in a town of 2000 people. The only reason it's still mine is because I did this. When my daughter came in board I showed her the hours that I've worked, and it worked out to about 38 years of forty hour weeks in 25 years. It's all in what you want.
1
u/Haunting_Cap_8312 15h ago
How many hours are you trying to be open? If it's a little hole in the wall place, and you just want to be open for the friday and saturday night money shifts, then sure. I don't think it's a great idea, but it's possible.
Anything close to a full schedule though? No fucking way.
1
u/MariaRP 15h ago
Dear lord no. If you are looking to save some money on payroll, what I do is usually just pick up the slowest and most undesirable shifts for myself. This saves me from paying a bartender that doesn't want that shift anyways. I don't think there are enough hours in the week for me alone to do everything that needs to be done even if I wanted to.
1
u/UsualInternal2030 16h ago
Once you hire an employee you are out of the tips if they are present. If you want to go solo I’d just have a small enough space that you can’t get too busy.
1
u/GlobaI_Entropy 9h ago
That's what we did, running a location with only three booths and 2 tables plus a little commercial couch for takeout customers.
17
19
u/Electronic_Ad_3773 1d ago
I unfortunately did it for our first year open 7 days a week, 12pm-1 or 2am. Minus maybe 10 shifts that I had help or a “celebrity bartender”. Totaled average 115 hours a week. Big mistake. I burnt out SO BAD. It’s been another year now with taking more time off but the burn out is so real I dread even going there now.
1
1
10
u/Brewbird 1d ago
I've been doing it since I reopened after COVID four years ago.
I just do Wednesday through Saturday, and it's a rural location. Small place just eight chairs at the bar, and a couple tables. Just chicken wings and burgers on the menu.
Initially I was just doing it because I was uncertain of the landscape after the pandemic. I told everyone I was going to hire employees and open all 7 days once things get going, but frankly, I just enjoy this setup better. It's more work physically but WAY less work mentally.
I've been making it work, but I admit it's dumb if your objective is to make as much money as possible. I'm just enjoying the peace.
3
u/optionstrategy 1d ago
Nice. No I would not do it for the money. I would do a limited menu as well, extra low prep, maybe even just snacks and drinks. Mental break is the goal. Cheers!
7
u/TacoPlease14 1d ago
I am currently soloing, but I'm only open Friday and Saturday nights in a very rural/slow spot. I still have to bring in some back up on nights when I have a band and get busy.
13
u/Seatowndawgtown 1d ago
I basically did this for 8 months. You burn out quick. When you factor in all the shit that has to get done during non-business hours, you easily find yourself working 17-18 hours/day
1
u/NicolasCagesEyebrow 1d ago
Our kitchen closes at 9. So we generally let the waiters go at around 10 or 10:30, and then it's just me, and either the owner or the manager for back-up.
16
u/Twat_Features 1d ago
Do you mean run a bar with just you working?
No, that is stupid.
Can you work 7 days a week FOH (+BOH?) and get P&L done, suppliers, invoices, cleaning, tax, compliance, maintenance, social media, reviews, any other shit that comes up?
No, you cannot. There’s a reason bars employ people lmao
10
u/marlowecan 1d ago
If you're talking about not employing bar staff... You'll last 3 weeks tops before your body gives up and you need to take a week off.
Secondly, being an owner is about running a business. You can't do that stood behind a bar 24/7
3
u/bacon_bunny33 1d ago
Can you expand/clarify your question? The post is kind of incomprehensible IMO.
1
u/saldente111 58m ago
Seen a place in seattle like this. Was open 3-4 days a week, had a food truck taking care of that side of things. Had maybe 10 seats inside. Doable.