hoping to open a bar someday!

tmsw · #1 26.05.2011, 12:46

Hello all!

A friend and I have been tossing around the idea of opening an open air bar for a while and have decided to have a serious look into how possible it would be.

Does anyone have any information or know any sites explaining the process of getting a liquor permit? We have no interest in serving food so hopefully that makes it a little easier.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

grumpygit · #2 26.05.2011, 12:48

To get a licene you need to either complete a course or have in your company a member of the "cafetiers suisses" or something like that.

MidfieldGeneral · #3 26.05.2011, 12:49

Hi, have you worked in a bar for a significant length of time before?

tmsw · #4 26.05.2011, 13:02

	Quote:	MidfieldGeneral
	Hi, have you worked in a bar for a significant length of time before?

I have 4 years of bar work experience, not sure if thats significant but I loved it and would really like to get back into that environment!

MidfieldGeneral · #5 26.05.2011, 13:13

I wish you well in your proposed new venture!

Pacino · #6 26.05.2011, 14:18

Well, of course your idea sounds lovely and I think this is a dream that many people have. But this is not gonna be easy. I did a quick google search for Zurich, as I am not an expert, but there are SO many things you have to think about. Starting with a business plan, finances, finding a place you can afford to rent and ending with many, many rules, like for the amount of toilets, serving alchohol, no noise after 11pm (try telling that to your guests). How good is your german? Check out the documents from Stadt Zürich:
Leitfaden Gastronomie:
http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/...astronomie.pdf

http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/pd/de/in...irtschaft.html

Or go to your Stammkneipe and ask the guy working. It's a real hard business. And the worst enemy: Your friends coming over for free drinks

lost_inbroad · #7 26.05.2011, 14:20

If you're not really bound to Switzerland..I have a friend who is selling his bar in Veracruz, Mexico...cheaper booze, better weather, better food..etc.

#8 26.05.2011, 14:24

	Quote:	lost_inbroad
	If you're not really bound to Switzerland..I have a friend who is selling his bar in Veracruz, Mexico...cheaper booze, better weather, better food..etc.

if you're not really bound to Switzerland or to opening a bar...I have a friend who is selling his chicken in suburban Lahore...cheaper chicken, better weather, better food etc.

lost_inbroad · #9 26.05.2011, 14:27

	Quote:	economisto
	if you're not really bound to Switzerland or to opening a bar...I have a friend who is selling his chicken in suburban Lahore...cheaper chicken, better weather, better food etc.

With the greatest respect Economisto...this is really interesting.

tmsw · #10 26.05.2011, 14:32

	Quote:	lost_inbroad
	If you're not really bound to Switzerland..I have a friend who is selling his bar in Veracruz, Mexico...cheaper booze, better weather, better food..etc.

great! how much does he want for it?

lost_inbroad · #11 26.05.2011, 14:34

	Quote:	tmsw
	great! how much does he want for it?

I have no idea...but it just sprung to mind as I was talking wtih him the other day...and he told me that he wants to get rid of it, as he's getting married.

tmsw · #12 26.05.2011, 14:34

	Quote:	Pacino
	Well, of course your idea sounds lovely and I think this is a dream that many people have. But this is not gonna be easy. I did a quick google search for Zurich, as I am not an expert, but there are SO many things you have to think about. Starting with a business plan, finances, finding a place you can afford to rent and ending with many, many rules, like for the amount of toilets, serving alchohol, no noise after 11pm (try telling that to your guests). How good is your german? Check out the documents from Stadt Zürich: Leitfaden Gastronomie: http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/...astronomie.pdf http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/pd/de/in...irtschaft.html Or go to your Stammkneipe and ask the guy working. It's a real hard business. And the worst enemy: Your friends coming over for free drinks

my german is a work in progress but my would be partners is fluent. Of course any business has rules and I'm aware that a business involving alcohol would have that many more but people seem to be able to manage it- there is definitely not a lack of bar around! Thanks for links!

miniMia · #13 26.05.2011, 15:52

If you want to open up a "pop up" bar, you should look in to the regulations for things like fairs and markets. Those will be relevant in terms of what types of alcohol can be served in the open air, I would think. I've not seen may of these that had hard alcohols. You might also look at doing some sort of promotion with some brand of alcohol. Maybe a champagne "pop up" bar. I'd be champagne would be easier to get approved than vodka. But that's a guess.

tmsw · #14 26.05.2011, 15:59

	Quote:	miniMia
	If you want to open up a "pop up" bar, you should look in to the regulations for things like fairs and markets. Those will be relevant in terms of what types of alcohol can be served in the open air, I would think. I've not seen may of these that had hard alcohols. You might also look at doing some sort of promotion with some brand of alcohol. Maybe a champagne "pop up" bar. I'd be champagne would be easier to get approved than vodka. But that's a guess.

Thats basically what we want to do! Getting into contact with a brand is a great idea, will look into it presently

terryhall · #15 26.05.2011, 16:05

	Quote:	tmsw
	Hello all! A friend and I have been tossing around the idea of opening an open air bar for a while and have decided to have a serious look into how possible it would be. Does anyone have any information or know any sites explaining the process of getting a liquor permit? We have no interest in serving food so hopefully that makes it a little easier. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Don't know about the permit side, but if you need to find a venue, the "Zoom Bar" in Wiedikon (close to Lochergut on the 2/3 tram) has been closed with an estate agent card in the window for months now.

edit - googled it, it's at Sihlfeldstrasse 49

miniMia · #16 26.05.2011, 16:08

	Quote:	tmsw
	Thats basically what we want to do! Getting into contact with a brand is a great idea, will look into it presently

Royalties by paypal will be fine.

Good luck!

tmsw · #17 27.05.2011, 11:39

while all the links were extremely helpful, we're now wondering exactly what step one is. As in, the first authority we need to contact to find out whether we can get this idea off the ground before going further.

We would also love to speak to anyone who's opened a bar and would be willing to offer some advice! We're in zh