small beer bar in trouble from competition

[beamer]

We have a small beer bar (approx. 27' x 25') with pool tables. We were the only bar in town, which was good for us at the time, but a new bar/restaurant that is 3-times our size has opened up and now serves liquor, in which we cannot ,due to many variables. Our business has died. We need a new concept. Our target market is construction workers. The whole town is nothing but construction people coming in. With very few in the single female population. We are considering an exotic dancer bar, but not sure that that is where we want to go yet. Also, thought of an Irish bar theme w/import beers etc. But, again, we are competing against a liquor bar. There should be room for both of us here, but it just doesn't seem that way with the downfall of business. Now all we have are the local beer drinkers that just hang out all night. Please help before we have to close the doors for good!

[The Event Guy]

Why can't you get a full liquor license as well?

I like the idea of exotic dancers...you need to look into this further. If this is a construction worker town, then this is a goldmine.

[steffen]

What about incorporating a theme to a couple of your nights... Here, No-Limit Texas Hold'em is in the bars. The way this works, to make it legal in most states, is there is NO (none, nada, free, you don't need a dime) entry fee, betting, or money loss by any consumer. This will give you an edge, because you will draw the people in that want to play, but don't have the extra funds. Since there is no fee for the consumer to pay to get in, it simply is a foot traffic bearing event. Once they get in there, you need to come up with a special for the event... one of the places here in KCMO is doing $4 cover (normal cover) $15 all you can drink (insert promo here). Get a beer rep to give you a couple of specials... and away you go!!!

If you would like some more information, PM me I know a guy who does this for a living, and you are more than welcome to talk to.

[beamer]

SC requires a bar to be able to seat and feed 40-people simultaneously in order to serve liquor. We honestly cannot do that. Exotic is out due to the owner of the building. We need a whole new concept for this bar in order to pull it out. The card idea is good (please send me more info on this) and we are also doing MOnday night football w/wings and Sunday race packages (private parties). Any ideas that you guys can send to me will be greatly appreciated. I need all of the help I can get!

[housemusicnyc]

I always try to keep it simple, if you only sell beer make sure that every one who come to your place is going to get the best beer posible. Keep a good rotating selection of beers on hand. Now that's not to say you should stop selling the ordinary beers(bud, coors light, ect..) but bring ing a stawberry blonde and then october fest or a local micro brew.

[David]

Is there a Sports Bar in town? If not, that could be one option.

[Andrew]

Does the owner of the building intend on providing accomodation? Construction usually means more people so plan for expansion. [they might even help you build it - just kidding...]

David's Sports Bar idea is a very good idea; it will involve some technically sophisticated equipment however [large screens, news feeds etc.]

Contact the construction company/s and ask them what they think would be the best entertainment for their workers - their support would be invaluable. Remember that these folks start early and some work shifts - these may be considerations if & when you are applying for an entension to your existing license.

[beamer]

We have started Monday night football and we serve wings. We have Raceday (when they are a Saturday night race) no beer on Sunday law! We are doing this right now on 2- 19" tv's., but will have to make them larger when we can. Race pools etc. I have been pushing the idea of bringing in the amber light, black and tans etc. but I am not sure how it will go over. We have started the buckets of beer and looking into draft, but it is an expensive start (I thought that Bud would help us out with it, but no go). I appreciate all of your feedback and am taking any ideas given to the others at our place for feedback! Thank you

[advancemellc]

beamer,

do you all take visa/mc? if so, we can help you get working capital to make your bar grow. advancemellc@aol.com

[Cheek]

The bud people won't help you out? That sounds odd, perhaps you need to talk to somebody else at the Bud wharehouse. Or maybe try a different distributor, like Miller, etc.