Many people dream of spending all their time out at bars or clubs and so assume that this is their dream job. But while the social aspect of the job is indisputable, the realities of owning a bar might come as a surprise. This sort of job isn’t for the faint-hearted!

That said, the rewards that come with owning and running a bar are incredible is this truly is the right job for you. Getting to know regulars, seeing people having fun and figuring out new ways to entertain everyone is pretty awesome.

So what are the pros and, more importantly, what are the cons?

The Negatives

It’s important to start with the negatives because this is the stuff you will have to learn to handle. If this stuff doesn’t faze you, you will probably do a great job but if it does, you might need to think twice.

The first problem might not be obvious to some people but where there is alcohol, there is a good chance drugs will make an appearance too. Doing drug testing courses will help you to identify if there is a problem and seeking advice will help you to reduce the likelihood of problems recurring.

The other problem is more obvious: drunkenness. While having a good time with friends and getting a bit tipsy is fine, you need to be aware of when your customers are too drunk and stop serving them. Most bars have a lovely atmosphere and attracting the right customers will certainly help set the mood but do be wary of people who may become violent when too drunk.

Finally, don’t underestimate the hours you will have to put in. You might be open late but you will still find plenty of things to do, even when your customers aren’t in. LIke any business, you need to have the basics down, and you can’t realistically do that when your place is open.

The Positives

Now that you know you need to be on your guard, the positives come flooding in. This job is brilliant for talking to people and giving them a brilliant night out. Whether you are behind the bar managing your team or working the floor with your regulars, you will be on the go all the time. And, if you’re having a great night, chances are everyone else is too.

The other positive is that once people get to know your place and service is running smoothly, it’s a lot easier for you to have fun. Yes, you’ll still have a lot to do but you won’t necessarily have the issues that other businesses come up against like the endless search for new clients or funding. Word of mouth is the best way to run a bar and you can do that by simply showing everyone a good time.

If you’re a people person and love the nightlife scene, running a bar is probably the next challenge for you. All you need now is a bit of experience and a cool idea. It’s all to play for.