36 Best Business Ideas For Bartenders [2024]
Are you a bartender looking to turn your unique skills into a profitable business?
There are several entrepreneurship opportunities for bartenders to start and succeed today.
In this post, we explore the best business ideas for bartenders to start.
With the right mindset, creativity, and a little bit of entrepreneurship spirit, you can convert your passion for bartending into a successful business venture.
So, let’s dive in and explore some of the most profitable bartender business ideas that you can start today.
1. Start a cocktail ingredient business
A cocktail ingredient business is a profitable venture that focuses on sourcing, manufacturing, and supplying high-quality ingredients used in creating cocktails.
This business caters to bars, restaurants, and home enthusiasts by providing them with a diverse range of essential elements like syrups, bitters, garnishes, and mixers.
By offering premium and unique ingredients, a cocktail ingredient business taps into the growing trend of mixology, which aims to enhance the overall drinking experience by providing consumers with a wide range of flavors.
This lucrative business opportunity capitalizes on the increasing demand for craft cocktails, allowing entrepreneurs to provide their customers with premium and distinctive flavors that elevate their cocktail creations.
How much you can make: $45,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
How Christopher Thomas turned a struggling cocktail mixer brand into a consistent low five-figure business by investing in e-commerce growth and customer reviews, focusing on all-natural ingredients, and revamping the website and packaging.
2. Start a drink shaker business
A drinks shaker is used to mix beverages by shaking when ice is put into the shaker to allow faster cooling.
As people become more health conscious and participate in sports and recreational activities, the demand for beverage shakers and other drinkware has increased.
Therefore, starting a unique brand of drink shakers can be a profitable business.
How much you can make: $78,000 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 272 days (?)
ShakeSphere, an award-winning shaker bottle manufacturer founded by an elite athlete, has generated $4 million in annual revenue globally, and has won awards from Men's Health and Amazon for its innovative design, including no-mesh grid or mixing ball, making cleaning and efficiency better than ever.
3. Start an alcoholic seltzer brand
An alcoholic seltzer brand specializes in crafting refreshing, fizzy drinks with a twist of alcohol.
This brand produces alcoholic seltzers by combining carbonated water with alcohol, resulting in a refreshing and light drink.
They offer a variety of flavors that provide a delicious and unique alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages.
The brand is committed to offering a convenient and enjoyable option for social gatherings and leisure moments, with a focus on simplicity and pleasure. It is dedicated to providing a delightful and easy-to-enjoy alcoholic beverage that caters to a wide range of consumers.
How much you can make: $58,000 — $900,000/month
How long does it take to build: 139 days (?)
Bodega Bay hard seltzer founder Charlie Markland describes how his low-calorie, low-sugar drink has helped the company hit monthly revenues of more than $50,000, and expand globally into the United States, Brazil and Japan, while partnering with a charity to donate drinking water to those in need with every can sold.
4. Start a brew pub business
A brewpub is a unique business that combines the atmosphere of a pub with the craft of brewing beer on-site. In simple terms, it's a place where people can enjoy freshly brewed beer along with a variety of food options.
Imagine a cozy spot where you can sip on handcrafted beers, often made right in the same building, while indulging in a menu of delicious pub-style meals.
Brew pubs offer a social and casual setting, making them a popular choice for friends and family to gather, enjoy good company, and savor the taste of locally brewed beer.
If you’re passionate about brewing and creating a welcoming space for people to relax and enjoy quality drinks and food, a brew pub might be the perfect business venture for you.
How much you can make: $120,000/month
Progress Brewing, a craft beer company in South El Monte, saw continuous growth of 12-14% every month for 16 months straight and hopes to break $2M revenue in 2019 with a focus on high-value non-hype beer, excellent customer service, and providing an overall enjoyable experience.
5. Start a non alcoholic drink business
A non-alcoholic beverage company produces and sells drinks that are free from alcohol.
This type of business caters to individuals who prefer non-alcoholic options for various reasons, such as health, personal choice, or cultural considerations.
The product line typically includes a variety of refreshing drinks like fruit juices, sodas, iced teas, and mocktails.
The goal of a non-alcoholic drink business is to provide flavorful and enjoyable alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages, ensuring that everyone can find a satisfying and enjoyable drink option.
Starting this business involves developing unique recipes, sourcing quality ingredients, and marketing the products to a diverse customer base.
How much you can make: $4,500/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
A former alcoholic and Nike product developer created a sophisticated zero-proof beverage called Small Barrel Shrub, which has seen tripling sales growth since a rebranding and recipe overhaul in May 2018, and has raised the majority of start-up funding via crowdfunding platform Pie Shell.
6. Start a wine tour business
Wine tourists visit wineries and vineyards where they experience gorgeous views and learn more about wine production. There are plenty of places that wine tourists can visit. To start a wine tour business, create a profile of your area’s top wineries and vineyards. Include different activities related to the wine tour business.
Then, market the trips to those attractive locations, showing the features the tourists can expect to see there. Wine tour businesses offer their customers a mix of luxury private tours to big group tours.
How much you can make: $85,000/month
Roscoli Wine Club founders, Alessandro Pepe and Lindsay Gabbard, share how they built a wine club that is about to cross the 1,000 member mark with annual revenue of 1 million euros after just about 3 years, offering Italian wines from small producers, farmed organically, minimal sulfites added, and providing every member with a 10-minute video of the winemaker's story.
7. Start a barware business
Barware has been the fastest-growing industry in the global wine market.
Barware products are relatively easy to source, and the margins are usually pretty healthy since bar owners see barware as an extension of their kitchen equipment rather than a profit center.
If you’re dreaming of starting a business from scratch, you can consider a new barware store.
How much you can make: $416,000/month
Well Told Design, a retail company founded by Brian Johnson, has landed on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies for the second year in a row, ranking 5th in the state of New Hampshire and 90th overall.
8. Start an online wine business
Starting an online wine business can be exciting and scary. However, if done right, the online wine shop can be profitable. To start an online wine business, identify a niche and conduct market research. Navigate the licensing, permits, and taxes and create a simple but functional website.
Whether you have your wine production plant or a dropshipper, focus on delivering quality service.
How much you can make: $150,000 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
The Wine Spies is an online wine marketplace, founded in 2007, that only sells wines it loves and has a fiercely loyal customer base that has kept the company profitable and growing steadily with over a decade of exceptional service and value.
9. Start a mobile bar
A mobile bar business is a unique and flexible venture that brings the party to different locations.
Instead of being confined to a fixed location, a mobile bar can travel to events such as weddings, parties, and festivals, providing on-the-go beverage services.
This business typically involves converting a vehicle, like a truck or trailer, into a fully functional bar with taps, coolers, and serving areas.
Mobile bar owners can offer a variety of drinks, from cocktails to non-alcoholic beverages, making it a versatile and enjoyable option for any gathering.
It’s a fun and creative way to cater to people’s beverage needs at different celebrations while enjoying the freedom of mobility.
How much you can make: $30,000/month
Tap Truck, a mobile bar service that serves beer, wine, and cider from the side of classic trucks, has grown its family of locations from 3 to 45 in just four years, seeing year-on-year growth of double its San Diego sales, and is set to expand internationally.
10. Start a bar crawl business
A bar crawl business is an event planning company that organizes tours of multiple bars in a specific area.
To start a bar crawl business, research the local bar scene and identify popular establishments that would attract customers.
Develop a unique theme or route for your bar crawl to differentiate it from others in the area. Secure necessary permits and licenses and establish partnerships with bars to ensure a smooth and successful event.
With careful planning and execution, a bar crawl business can provide a fun and memorable experience for customers while generating revenue for the owner.
How much you can make: $3,500/month
How much does it cost to start: $450 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Denver Pub Crawl is a US-European hybrid experience for tourists and locals run by Tyler, with operations that not only were able to scale around variables like capacity and number of attendees, but also managed to grow his team from two part-time members to a team of four, including a paid intern, while answering the question of what the future looks like: continuing to push, grow, and create.
11. Start a wine club
A wine club offers members inside access to favorite wines from favorite vineyards. Members enjoy access to wine cultural experiences such as tastings and other exclusive events. The wine clubs provide members a series of monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual premium-quality wine shipments and benefits.
Starting a wine club is pretty simple! Invite people you know and the existing customers. You can also advertise starting a wine club in wine enthusiast magazines and online communities.
How much you can make: $85,000 — $270,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how Taster's Club, a subscription service for craft spirits, went from a side-hustle to a profitable business with $270K/month in revenue, by launching fast and staying focused on providing an outstanding customer experience.
12. Start a karaoke bar business
Karaoke bars provide karaoke equipment so people sing publicly on a set stage.
The karaoke bars are high-traffic and can generate income quickly compared to standard nightclubs.
Karaoke bars feature essential lighting and giveaways to encourage singers and their participation and let the booze flow!
How much you can make: $12,000/month
Kelli Bielema and Vanessa Resler run The AirScream, a mobile karaoke lounge in a vintage Airstream located in Seattle, WA, which began as a successful Kickstarter campaign raising $45k.
13. Start a drinking accessories business
Drinking accessories are handy tools used to make unique cocktails or enjoy certain liquors in a whole new way.
If you are creative, you can develop custom drinking accessories targeting bar owners or sell directly to end-users. You can sell drink accessories online or list them at a glassware shop.
How much you can make: $78,000 — $416,000/month
How long does it take to build: 130 days (?)
PDD Falcon is a family-owned brand that manufactures premium stainless steel storage and drinkware, serving over 5 million customers across 18,000 pin codes in India with a projected revenue of Rs 12 cr and valuation of Rs 25 cr for FY 2022-23, achieved through a network of 40 distributors and various major online portals.
14. Start an alcohol testing business
An alcohol testing business provides services to individuals and organizations looking to assess alcohol levels in a person's system.
This business typically offers various testing methods, such as breathalyzer tests or blood alcohol content (BAC) tests, to determine if someone has consumed alcohol.
These services are often sought by employers for workplace safety, law enforcement for DUI cases, and individuals for personal reasons like monitoring sobriety.
The business may operate as a testing center, partnering with businesses or law enforcement agencies, or offer mobile testing services.
Starting an alcohol testing business involves obtaining the necessary certifications, investing in testing equipment, and building relationships with potential clients to ensure a reliable and trusted service.
How much you can make: $17,500 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)
TopWhiskies, an eCommerce store celebrating the best independent whisky brands, started as a social media hobby in 2016, and, after building a large following, pivoted to an eCommerce site in October 2020, achieving an average monthly turnover of around $17,500 with sales up around 50% year on year.
15. Start a craft beer business
Are you passionate about beer and ready to penetrate a niche within the alcohol industry? Craft beer is a potential business idea you may want to start.
Craft beer is an important and attractive niche consumer market with the potential to multiply profitability.
The good news is that starting your craft beer brewery is not as difficult as you think.
You can start brewing craft beer with nothing more than a bucket, a bubbler, a siphon pipe, and a kit. Eventually, you will start bottling your craft beer and delivering it to the market.
How much you can make: $56,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
Croatian craft brewery Varionica shares how they started with only 22 kegs and an old Opel Astra, grew to produce roughly 40,000 liters of beer per month, and expanded successfully during the pandemic through an online shop and retail store partnerships.
16. Start an alcohol products business
An alcohol products business encompasses the process of producing, distributing, and selling a wide range of alcoholic beverages. These beverages can include beer, wine, and spirits, among others.
Entrepreneurs in this industry work towards crafting high-quality drinks while navigating regulations, establishing efficient distribution channels, and creating a brand that resonates with responsible consumers who enjoy consuming alcoholic beverages in moderation.
How much you can make: $17,500 — $11,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 500 days (?)
BeatBox Beverages, a wine-based cocktail company, grew sales from $700k in 2016 to $2.4m in 2018 and is on track to hit $6m+ in 2019 through a unique and differentiated product, social media marketing, and an appearance on Shark Tank.
17. Start a beverages business
A beverage business involves producing and selling various kinds of drinks to consumers.
These drinks may include soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea, and more.
The business can operate either as a manufacturer, creating its own unique drinks, or as a distributor, selling popular brands to retailers.
Success in the beverage business often depends on understanding consumer preferences, creating high-quality products, and establishing effective distribution channels.
Whether it’s a small coffee shop or a large global soda brand, a beverage business plays a vital role in providing refreshing and enjoyable drinks to people in various settings.
How much you can make: $500 — $200,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)
BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.
18. Start a hangover cure product
Hangover cure products are specially formulated remedies that aim to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
These products are designed to provide relief from issues like headaches, nausea, and fatigue that are commonly experienced after a night of drinking.
The ingredients of these remedies are carefully selected for their hydrating and replenishing properties, which help to restore the body's balance and speed up the recovery process.
Due to the widespread social culture of drinking and the need for a quick and reliable solution to recover from a night out, the demand for effective hangover cures is high.
As a result, this has created a lucrative business opportunity for those looking to capitalize on the market.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $200,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
Brine Brothers sells all-natural pickle brine (pickle juice), generating over $10,000/month and winning an investment from Barstool and Jon Taffer, and is determined to become a million-dollar beverage company.
19. Start a hookah bar
If you are planning to start a night time business in cities like New York, one of the options you may consider is the Hookah bar. Also known as shisha bars, the hookah bars sell tobacco from a communal hookah placed at each table.
The hookah bars market has grown significantly over the past decade and is expected to reach $ 1.7 million in the next few years. Establishing a Hookah bar is a great opportunity as you will profit from the growing market.
20. Start a sports bar
People drink when they are happy or depressed. Opening a sports bar can be an excellent opportunity to earn money no matter their mood.
Are you looking for a strip mall business idea? You can start a sports bar at your nearest strip mall. You can sell take-away wines, spirits, whiskey, or beers and have a sitting place for customers who enjoy drinks at the bar.
21. Start a wine tasting business
The wine industry is growing rapidly, making it a lucrative niche. With the growth projections, there is no better time to get into the winery industry than now. A great opportunity to explore is the wine tasting business.
A wine tasting business can be lucrative, and it is an inexpensive business idea. Ideally, a wine tasting business provides clients with an environment to sample new wine flavors. You do not need a sommelier certification to start a wine tasting business. In fact, with a business license and alcohol distribution permit, you can start your wine tasting business.
22. Start a whisky business
A whisky business involves the production, marketing, and sale of whisky, a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash.
To start this business, you’ll need to carefully select and blend grains like barley, corn, rye, or wheat, then ferment and distill the mixture to create the whisky.
The aging process in wooden barrels adds distinct flavors and character.
Successful whisky businesses often focus on quality ingredients, precise distillation techniques, and effective branding and distribution strategies to bring their unique spirits to consumers.
Starting a whisky business requires a passion for the craft, attention to detail, and an understanding of the market to create a product that stands out in the competitive spirits industry.
23. Start a beer garden restaurant
A beer garden restaurant is an outdoor dining establishment that serves a variety of beers and delicious food in a relaxed setting.
Customers can enjoy their meals and drinks in an open-air space, often surrounded by greenery or under a canopy.
The main attraction is the extensive selection of beers, ranging from local craft brews to popular international brands.
The goal is to create a social and communal atmosphere, encouraging patrons to gather, unwind, and share good times.
With picnic-style seating, friendly service, and a laid-back vibe, a beer garden restaurant is an ideal spot for friends and families to come together and savor both great beer and tasty food.
24. Start a beerfest business
A Beerfest business hosts beer festivals, providing breweries a platform to showcase their craft beers.
The business focuses on coordinating events where beer enthusiasts can gather to sample a variety of unique and flavorful brews from different breweries.
The key tasks involve securing venues, inviting breweries to participate, managing ticket sales, and ensuring a lively and enjoyable atmosphere for attendees.
Success in this business relies on fostering partnerships with breweries, promoting the events effectively, and providing an engaging experience for vendors and beer enthusiasts.
Overall, a Beerfest business aims to celebrate and promote the diverse world of craft beer through well-organized and enjoyable festivals.
25. Start a night club
Night clubs are entertainment venues comprising dance floors, light shows, and a stage for playing live music or featuring DJ music. Humans enjoy dance, and many societies incorporate dance as a prominent aspect of entertainment, socializing, and progression.
Thus, a nightclub is one of the best nighttime business ideas you can start today. Every city has its picks for the most prominent nightclubs, bars, and dance floors.
26. Start a beer consulting business
A beer consulting business provides expert guidance to beer industry stakeholders.
Whether you're a brewery owner, a bar manager, or someone looking to start your own beer-related business, a beer consulting service can help you navigate the complexities of the industry.
Consultants in this field offer assistance with various aspects, including brewing techniques, quality control, inventory management, and marketing strategies.
They leverage their knowledge and experience to help clients enhance the overall quality of their beer, optimize operations, and ultimately achieve success in the competitive world of craft beverages.
If you have a passion for beer and a deep understanding of the industry, starting a beer consulting business can be a rewarding way to share your expertise and contribute to the growth of others in the field.
27. Start a wine consulting business
The wine consultancy business is transitioning the wine industry. Wine consultants are professionals with extensive knowledge of wine, including how to recognize different wine styles, wine aging potential, and flavor profiles.
Their core task is to advise wineries, bars, and restaurant owners on every aspect of designing and diversifying wine programs to hiring sommeliers and wine directors.
The experts help with the operations and creating sales programs for restaurants and hotel clients. To become a wine consultant, you will need a background in wine, either by training to be a sommelier or working at a bar, winery or vineyard.
As a wine consultant, you will seek out new business opportunities and focus on cultivating client relationships.
28. Start a wine distribution business
Are you a wine enthusiast with good knowledge of the wine industry, and do you love working with wineries? Combining your passion with sales and logistics skills can be an excellent opportunity to break into the exciting career of wine distribution.
A wine distributor purchases stock from vineyards and sells it to wholesalers and retailers at a profit. Your customers will be restaurants and liquor stores that sell wines.
To start the business, make relationships with the vendors within the winery industry. To run a successful wine distribution business, you might need to take a sommelier’s certification course, which gives you the expertise to improve your palate.
A wine distributor must also have excellent communication skills to make sales continually and stay in business.
29. Start a cocktail class business
Cocktail classes teach the theory and techniques for creating basic bartender drinks. The mixology classes are ideal for bartenders and individuals who want to master the skill of mixing different flavors to make classic cocktails.
If you are in the catering industry, mixology classes is one of the easiest businesses you can start. If interested, you can begin lessons targeted to people interested in working in the bar and restaurant industry.
30. Start a mixology course
A mixology course teaches the art and science of crafting cocktails.
Participants learn essential techniques for mixing, shaking, and stirring a variety of drinks, gaining hands-on experience with various spirits, liqueurs, and mixers. Instructors cover the basics of cocktail creation, including understanding flavor profiles, garnishing, and presentation.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to impress friends at home or aspiring to become a professional bartender, a mixology course provides the knowledge and skills needed to confidently master the art of mixology, making it an ideal venture for those interested in starting a business in the world of drinks and hospitality.
31. Start a bar counter business
A bar counter business is a venture that involves setting up and managing a bar area where customers can enjoy alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
This business typically includes a counter or bar top where customers can place their orders, and it may offer seating for patrons to relax and socialize.
Bar counters can be standalone establishments or part of a larger entertainment venue, such as a restaurant or nightclub.
Success in this business often depends on creating a welcoming atmosphere, offering a variety of drinks, and providing excellent customer service.
If you're passionate about creating a space for people to unwind and have a good time, starting a bar counter business could be a rewarding endeavor.
32. Start a bar
The “bar” business idea involves opening and operating a bar or nightclub that serves alcohol and provides entertainment for customers. To run this business, you must secure a location, obtain necessary licenses and permits, and stock your bar with various drinks and supplies. You may also need to hire staff to help with serving drinks, managing the music and lighting, and maintaining the establishment’s cleanliness.
One of the benefits of running a bar is that it can be a very lucrative business, as people are often willing to pay a premium for a night out with friends or to enjoy live music or other forms of entertainment. Additionally, a well-run bar can attract a loyal customer base and build a reputation as a popular destination in the community.
To succeed in this business, it is important to have a strong understanding of the local market, and what types of drinks and entertainment will be most appealing to your target audience. You should also be prepared to put in long hours and work on evenings and weekends, as this is when most bars are busiest.
Overall, the “bar” business idea offers the opportunity to create a fun and profitable business that can become a central hub for socializing and entertainment in the community.
33. Start a liquor delivery business
With the fad for ordering food and drinks online, owning a liquor delivery business can be fun and rewarding. Most liquor consumers today prefer skipping trips down the liquor store and instead order the drinks online.
To start a liquor delivery business, partner with liquor suppliers and focus on advertising their liquor online. When customers order and pay, you can take up the fulfillment task or have the dealer deliver to the consumer.
34. Start a boozy subscription box
For many years, drive-through liquor stores, wine & spirit shops, bars, and grocery stores have been the only ways to purchase drinks.
With the emergence of new technology came the delivery service powered by what millennials call the boozy subscription box. Through the subscription box, customers receive almost anything right to their doorstep.
The boozy subscription box involves signing up as a member and offers members a chance to expand their drinks horizon with hard-to-find wines, whiskeys, and other uncommon labels.
If you are interested in starting a business within the alcohol industry, you will probably consider starting the subscription box service.
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
35. Start a party punch product
Party punch product refers to a wide assortment of ready-to-drink, alcoholic, and non-alcoholic beverages. Premiumization of ready-to-drink party products with flavor, taste, and quality is expected to keep rising over the coming years.
Consumers have also become more health-conscious, and they prefer natural flavored party punch products. As party punch products emerge among the leading beverage segments, launching your party punch product can be a great business venture.
You can build a successful party punch brand with the right branding strategy and an effective marketing approach.
36. Start a distillery business
A distillery is a business that specializes in producing alcoholic beverages, such as whiskey, vodka, gin, and rum.
The process involves fermenting grains or fruits to create a liquid known as mash, which is then distilled to extract and concentrate the alcohol content.
Distilleries often take pride in crafting unique and high-quality spirits, with each product having its distinct flavors and characteristics.
Entrepreneurs in the distillery business need to adhere to regulatory requirements, ensuring the safety and legality of their operations.
Successful distilleries not only master the technical aspects of distillation but also have a keen understanding of the art and science behind creating memorable and marketable spirits.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
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- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
