Just as there are people who look for a busy, lively, higher-energy setting to enjoy their nights out, there are also those who prefer the opposite – and in that case, a lounge bar is ideal.
Keep reading to find out what a lounge bar is, what its main features and differentiators are, how to start this type of venture and also tips for running a successful establishment. Check it out!
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What is a lounge bar?
The word “lounge” can be translated from English as “to rest” or “to relax”. In other words: a lounge bar is a setting designed for those looking for calmer, quieter entertainment without so many sound and/or visual stimuli.
That way, this type of bar tends to be seen as more sophisticated, where customers can enjoy drinks, cocktails, food plates and an atmosphere that is more relaxed and social than that of traditional bars.
That is why the vast majority of lounge bars (or lounge pubs) have soft lighting, comfortable furniture, pleasant background music and elegant décor.
That, combined with the calmer setting, makes this type of establishment versatile, fitting right in with the culture of drinking and socializing.
How to set up a lounge bar?
As you have noticed, a lounge bar has several differentiators that can win over a more loyal clientele with greater purchasing power. That is why opening an establishment like this is a great business opportunity.
So you can start off on the right foot, check out five tips below on what you need to watch for when starting your lounge pub/bar.
Learn more: 10 tips for opening a bar or restaurant
1 – Define your target audience
The first step of any venture is defining what will be offered and, consequently, to whom. In other words, an important requirement when opening your lounge bar is knowing who will visit your establishment.
A lounge bar generally attracts a quieter, sophisticated crowd looking for a place to socialize – whether with friends, partners or even for business meetings. That also represents a profile with greater purchasing power.
Take all of this into account but do not fall into generalizations. To do that, run surveys with potential customers, do market analyses and set up benchmarking meetings with other entrepreneurs in the field.
2 – Find the ideal location
When it comes to choosing the location, take a few factors into account, such as:
- The rent price of the space;
- What the neighborhood's infrastructure is like;
- How accessible the place is;
- Whether the area matches your target audience;
- Whether the space has the size and infrastructure you need.
Keep in mind that your goal is to find a space that is as good for you (in terms of costs, location, infrastructure, etc.) as it is for your customers.
Leia também: Soft Opening: a step-by-step guide to a pre-launch
3 – Have the right team and equipment
Now that you know where your lounge bar will be and who will come to it, it is time to find your dream team.
Here on the EPOC blog we have already listed all the professionals who work in a bar. Veja quais dessa lista se enquadram nas necessidades do seu lounge bar e faça a bar staff hiring accordingly.
After that, make sure you have all the bar equipment that helps get the tasks done and brings speed, efficiency and savings to your operation.
4 – Take care of the décor
Décor is a very important part of a lounge bar, so set aside plenty of time, effort and budget for this item. Choose something that represents your establishment's identity and, at the same time, conveys a sense of coziness and sophistication.
To reach that goal, use the paint colors of the space, the furniture, the lighting and even the utensils to create this unique personality for the lounge bar.
Leia também: Cozy restaurant: 9 tips to improve the atmosphere
5 – Put together a good food and drink menu
But of course, a beautiful, cozy space is worth nothing if the drinks and food you serve aren't appetizing, right? So pay close attention when deciding what to serve.
To learn how to build a bar menu, use the information gathered in your market and audience research to understand what your future customers look for and enjoy.
Also, use engenharia de cardápio to learn how to highlight strategic items and make ordering easier for customers. Another tip is to separate the food from the drinks and create a drinks menu.
5 tips for a successful lounge bar or lounge pub
Whether you already have a lounge bar or want to open one and leave the competition behind from day one, you need to know how to run the business the best way possible to guarantee success.
The good news is that below you'll find five golden tips for managing your lounge bar or lounge pub — so you can run an efficient operation and grow your customer base at the same time.
Leia também: Gastrobar: what is it and how does it work?
1 – Use a management system
The first and possibly most important tip is to use a bar management system. Com uma solução dessas, como o EPOC, você pode integrar toda a sua operação em uma única ferramenta.
That way, you get a POS, inventory management, ERP, KDS, digital menu, online tab, data dashboard, integration with payment machines and delivery services, plus many other features.
This ensures your lounge pub runs efficiently, quickly and economically, with no mistakes or waste. As a result, you get more profitability while delivering a delightful experience for customers – who keep coming back.
2 – Promote your business on social media
As the saying goes, “advertising is the soul of business”. And today social media is synonymous with good advertising, which is why your lounge bar needs a digital presence.
Use these virtual spaces to promote your business, build relationships with customers and prospects, and announce promotions and special attractions.
Especially on networks focused on video and photography (like Instagram), it's essential for a lounge bar to be present and show off the space, as well as the food and drinks on offer.
3 – Pay attention to financial management
A fairly common mistake among those looking to learn how to run a bar financially is to focus on recipe prep, décor and the day-to-day operation, but leave financial management aside.
As a result, you end up dealing with cash and/or inventory shortfalls, a lack of knowledge about your supplies and suppliers and, in extreme cases, even bankruptcy.
So always keep a close eye on your cash flow, on your sales tracking and, as we've already mentioned, use a management system to integrate every area of the lounge bar and simplify financial administration.
4 – Get feedback from your customers
You certainly know what kind of business you want to create, defining the identity of the space, the dishes, the drinks and the whole concept behind the lounge bar. But that doesn't mean you have all the answers – or that there's no room for improvement.
After all, the ones who actually enjoy your business are the customers, and listening to what they like and making changes accordingly can increase their satisfaction.
So create ways to collect feedback from your customers and, more than that, set up rewards to encourage this exchange.
5 – Create attractions and promotions
Finally, beyond having a distinctive space that offers comfort and sophistication, you can create even more differentiators that set your business apart from the competition.
Two easy and effective ways to do this are theme nights and live music. On top of that, exclusive promotions on specific days of the week, seasonal dates or even on specific menu items (for example, a draft beer and fries combo).
That way you create a distinctive identity for your lounge bar and get more sales as a bonus.
More profit and lower costs with EPOC
Want to take your lounge bar to the next level, growing up to 29% a year and cutting 30% of your operating costs? Then count on EPOC, the management system that adapts to your needs.
With it you automate tasks, speed up processes and integrate your entire operation, from the POS to inventory, all with a single tool.
Talk to one of our specialists and see a free EPOC demo with no obligation.
