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

From the outside, everything looks fine. The bar is open, people are coming in, and the work gets done. But underneath it, there’s a quiet heaviness from long days, nonstop decisions, and pressure that never fully lifts.That weight isn’t caused by one big mistake. It builds over time through delayed decisions, avoided numbers, and sticking with habits that feel comfortable, even when they stop working.In this episode, I step away from tactics and reflect on the past year. I talk honestly about gratitude, mindset, and what I’ve learned about the growing gap between reactive and intentional bar owners.My goal is clarity. Clarity around what actually matters, what’s draining energy, and what deserves attention next so moving forward feels more focused, steady, and intentional.🔴 Learn More: 🔴 📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here → https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ Our Partners: QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant IntelligenceBusiness intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line. https://www.quixspec.com Dining Alliance Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Running a bar can look successful on the surface while still leaving me overworked, frustrated, and questioning whether the business is actually supporting the life I set out to build.Small compromises, avoided conversations, and fear-based decisions can quietly stack up over time, leading to burnout and limiting both growth and freedom.In this episode, I walk through a year-end reflection built around five essential questions I use to honestly evaluate my mindset, leadership, and the gap between where I am and where I want to be.I share how answering these questions helps uncover hidden bottlenecks, redefine what success truly looks like, and create a clearer foundation for more intentional decisions in the year ahead.🔴 Learn More: 🔴 📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here → https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ Our Partners: QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant IntelligenceBusiness intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line. https://www.quixspec.com Dining Alliance Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Discover the evolving landscape of staffing and turnover in the bar and restaurant industry with insights from global experts.Explore how COVID-19, Brexit, and generational shifts are reshaping employment dynamics. Learn why investing in employees and fostering a supportive culture are crucial for business success.Gain valuable strategies for adapting to industry changes, enhancing employee engagement, and understanding the 'why' behind business operations. Discover the importance of diversity and inclusion in creating a thriving work environment.Join us in this insightful discussion and take actionable steps to improve your business operations. Listen now to transform your approach to staffing and turnover.Panelists this Month: Dave Nitzel - Co-Owner Dave and Dave Consulting, Best-Selling AuthorAoife Halliday - COO of RuckusMinakshi Singh - Co-Founder of Sidecar and the India Bar ShowCliff Crider - Founding Partner of Stinger Compliance and Truck and TapChris Schneider - Host of the Bar Business Podcast Key TakeawaysIt's crucial to invest in employees to retain talent.Generational shifts are impacting the bar and restaurant industry.COVID-19 and Brexit have significantly affected staffing dynamics.Creating a supportive culture is key to reducing turnover.Understanding the 'why' behind business operations can improve employee engagement.Diversity and inclusion are important for a healthy work environment.Exit interviews can provide valuable insights for improving retention.Adapting to changing industry standards is necessary for success.Employee training and development are essential for growth.Measuring turnover and understanding its causes can lead to better management.🔴 Learn More: 🔴 📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here → https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ Our Partners: QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant IntelligenceBusiness intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line. https://www.quixspec.com Dining Alliance Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Running a bar gets harder when everything becomes more complicated than it needs to be.Extra menu items, excess inventory, and unnecessary systems quietly hurt margins and make daily operations harder to manage.In this episode, we explain the lean bar business model and how simplifying operations can increase profitability without sacrificing the guest experience.You’ll learn how to apply the 80/20 rule, reduce complexity across menus and operations, and build systems that make your bar easier to run.The goal: fewer moving parts, stronger margins, and a more profitable bar over the long term.🔴 Learn More: 🔴 📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here → https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ Our Partners: QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant IntelligenceBusiness intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line. https://www.quixspec.com Dining Alliance Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Most bars don’t sell as many gift cards as they could.They’re easy to miss, rarely mentioned by staff, and usually treated like an afterthought, even during the holidays.In this episode, we break down how simple 10-day gift card push bars can launch fast to bring in extra cash before Christmas.You’ll learn how to add a bonus card that motivates buyers, why gift cards often turn into bigger checks when redeemed, and how small changes in placement and staff behavior can drive more sales.We also explain how gift cards help with cash flow going into slower months and why they’re one of the lowest-risk ways to boost revenue.The takeaway: more money now, more guests later, and a smarter way to use gift cards.🔴 Learn More: 🔴 📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here → https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ Our Partners: QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant IntelligenceBusiness intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line. https://www.quixspec.com Dining Alliance Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant