The Bar Business Podcast: Smart Hospitality & Marketing Secrets For Bar & Pub Owners

• How to Adapt and Thrive in the Bar Business | Kelvin Abrams’ Journey into the Bar Industry

  Are you feeling stuck in your business or contemplating a major career change?Many entrepreneurs find themselves at a crossroads, unsure of how to pivot or reinvent themselves in a constantly evolving market. In this episode, we chat with Kelvin Abrams, who transformed his journey from a government employee to a successful doggy daycare owner and, eventually, a high-end bourbon bar owner.  What You’ll Learn: Why reinventing yourself regularly keeps your business growing How to pivot based on market demand—not just passion The real costs of food waste and poor inventory management Why storytelling builds loyal, engaged customers How to choose products that fit your community and brand Why running a bar is harder than most businesses The hidden costs every bar owner should watch out for You'll hear about the challenges he faced, the importance of getting uncomfortable, and how to adapt your business to meet market demands. Connect with Kevin:Website K9 and CoffeeTiki's PlayhouseBook: *Get Uncomfortable or Change Course* by Kelvin Abrams Learn More:Schedule a Strategy SessionBar Business Nation Facebook GroupThe Bar Business Podcast WebsiteChris' Book 'How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business'Thank you to our show sponsors, SpotOn and Starfish. SpotOn's modern, cloud-based POS system allows bars to increase team productivity and provides the reporting you need to make smart financial decisions. Starfish works with your bookkeeping software using AI to help you make data-driven decisions and maximize your profits while giving you benchmarking data to understand how you compare to the industry at large. **We are a SpotOn affiliate and earn commissions from the link above. A podcast for bar, pub, tavern, nightclub, and restaurant owners, managers, and hospitality professionals, covering essential topics like bar inventory, marketing strategies, restaurant financials, and hospitality profits to help increase bar profits and overall success in the hospitality industry.

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• How Bars Can Profit from the Sober Curious Trend & Zero-Proof Menus

  Looked at your menu and thought, “No one’s really gonna order that $12 juice, right?” I thought the same. But here’s the truth mocktails and zero-proof drinks are on the rise. And if your bar isn’t leaning in, you’re probably leaving money on the table.In this episode, I’m breaking down how the sober curious trend is changing the game and how bar owners like you can turn it into a real opportunity.What You’ll Learn:Why mocktails can actually be more profitable than cocktailsWhat Gen Z and Millennials really want when they walk into your barHow to create a zero-proof menu that’s easy to sell and hard to ignoreHousemade sodas, seasonal flavors, and those Instagrammable drinks people lovePricing tricks, staff training, and menu design that make this all workThis isn’t about turning your bar into a juice bar. It’s about adapting to the shift without losing what makes your place your place.So if you’ve been side-eyeing this trend, give this a listen. You don’t have to understand it you just have to be smart enough to use it.Learn More:Schedule a Strategy SessionBar Business Nation Facebook GroupThe Bar Business Podcast WebsiteChris' Book 'How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business'Thank you to our show sponsors, SpotOn and Starfish. SpotOn's modern, cloud-based POS system allows bars to increase team productivity and provides the reporting you need to make smart financial decisions. Starfish works with your bookkeeping software using AI to help you make data-driven decisions and maximize your profits while giving you benchmarking data to understand how you compare to the industry at large. **We are a SpotOn affiliate and earn commissions from the link above. A podcast for bar, pub, tavern, nightclub, and restaurant owners, managers, and hospitality professionals, covering essential topics like bar inventory, marketing strategies, restaurant financials, and hospitality profits to help increase bar profits and overall success in the hospitality industry.

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• How to Use Advanced Menu Engineering to Improve Bar Profitability ?

  Menu engineering isn’t just about what’s selling it’s about understanding why it’s selling, and how each item on your menu affects your bottom line. In this episode, I  break down into the advanced side of menu engineering: the psychology, operational impact, and customer behavior behind what stays, what goes, and what truly drives profitability. We’ll cover: Why removing “unprofitable” items might actually cost you moneyHow to account for customer lifetime value, halo effect, and seasonal shiftsThe hidden role of plow horses, dogs, and loss leadersWhat most menu engineering models miss and how to fix itPractical ways to optimize your menu for both profit and speedIf you’ve only ever used the basic matrix or relied solely on margins, this episode will show you how to level up your strategy and boost bar profitability in the process.Learn More:Schedule a Strategy SessionBar Business Nation Facebook GroupThe Bar Business Podcast WebsiteChris' Book 'How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business'Thank you to our show sponsors, SpotOn and Starfish. SpotOn's modern, cloud-based POS system allows bars to increase team productivity and provides the reporting you need to make smart financial decisions. Starfish works with your bookkeeping software using AI to help you make data-driven decisions and maximize your profits while giving you benchmarking data to understand how you compare to the industry at large. **We are a SpotOn affiliate and earn commissions from the link above. A podcast for bar, pub, tavern, nightclub, and restaurant owners, managers, and hospitality professionals, covering essential topics like bar inventory, marketing strategies, restaurant financials, and hospitality profits to help increase bar profits and overall success in the hospitality industry.

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• How Can Integrating Your POS System with QuickBooks Transform Your Bar's Financial Management?

  Managing a bar takes more than great service and solid sales you also need accurate financial systems behind the scenes. In this episode, I walk through how to properly move sales data from your POS system into QuickBooks, and why doing it right can save you time, reduce errors, and improve your cash flow. We’ll cover: What data you actually need to move from POS to QuickBooksCommon mistakes bar owners make with integrationWhy over-complicating your setup can hurt more than helpHow to catch errors like double entries or miscategorized salesSimple solutions to streamline your financial processIf you're tired of messy books, manual entry, or not knowing where your money is going this episode will help you get clarity and control.Learn More:Schedule a Strategy SessionBar Business Nation Facebook GroupThe Bar Business Podcast WebsiteChris' Book 'How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business'Thank you to our show sponsors, SpotOn and Starfish. SpotOn's modern, cloud-based POS system allows bars to increase team productivity and provides the reporting you need to make smart financial decisions. Starfish works with your bookkeeping software using AI to help you make data-driven decisions and maximize your profits while giving you benchmarking data to understand how you compare to the industry at large. **We are a SpotOn affiliate and earn commissions from the link above. A podcast for bar, pub, tavern, nightclub, and restaurant owners, managers, and hospitality professionals, covering essential topics like bar inventory, marketing strategies, restaurant financials, and hospitality profits to help increase bar profits and overall success in the hospitality industry.

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• Unlock Nightclub Success with These Expert Nightclub Tips | Connor Treacy

  Let’s be honest, running a bar is one thing. Running a nightclub? That’s a whole different game. In this episode, I’m joined by Connor Treacy, who co-founded Off Sunset, one of LA’s most buzzed-about nightclubs. We talk through everything you don’t see on Instagram what it really takes to keep a club relevant, why you’re basically running a circus, and how a tiny 150-person room was pulling in $4 million a year. If you’ve ever been curious about nightlife, or even tempted to open a club yourself, you’ll want to hear this. It’s not all champagne and celebrities. There’s ego management, legal landmines, and a surprising amount of hands-on hustle. Here’s what we get into: Why nightclubs are way riskier and more intense than most barsHow Connor built buzz without flashy marketing or big budgetsWhat it’s like dealing with high-maintenance guests, drama, and paparazziHow much money clubs actually make and what it takes to keep it goingWhy Connor made the leap from nightlife to pizza (and what he’s eyeing next)Give it a listen—this one’s honest, behind-the-scenes, and packed with takeaways for anyone in hospitality.Connect with Connor Treacy on Instagram: @theconnortreacyFind him on LinkedIn: Connor Treacy on LinkedInVisit his website:  connortreacy.com Learn More:Schedule a Strategy SessionBar Business Nation Facebook GroupThe Bar Business Podcast WebsiteChris' Book 'How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business'Thank you to our show sponsors, SpotOn and Starfish. SpotOn's modern, cloud-based POS system allows bars to increase team productivity and provides the reporting you need to make smart financial decisions. Starfish works with your bookkeeping software using AI to help you make data-driven decisions and maximize your profits while giving you benchmarking data to understand how you compare to the industry at large. **We are a SpotOn affiliate and earn commissions from the link above. A podcast for bar, pub, tavern, nightclub, and restaurant owners, managers, and hospitality professionals, covering essential topics like bar inventory, marketing strategies, restaurant financials, and hospitality profits to help increase bar profits and overall success in the hospitality industry.

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