greetings - some questions

[Mose]

I might be getting into the bar bus. I've found a place that has lot's of potential to be a great live music venue on the weekends. Good downtown location, a ready made market, a happening live music scene. Much more research and planning on my part needs to happen before anything else happens. This site is a fantastic resource info. and insight.
The owner wants to retire soon and has no interest or energy to restore it to it's former glory. I want to take it over but don't want to do much in the way of changing the place. Maybe a few little things here and there. The place has a rustic charm all it's own and I would like to attract new clientele the live and work in the immediate area.

Is it possible/practical to keep a day job while trying to own/manage a bar?

Would it be a good idea to keep the former owner on as a paid employee(bartender) after I take over? help keep the present clientele?

What are the advantages of serving food - not serving food at your bar?
I'm talking about the rules and regs of food and food prep.

[Largo Robert]

Is it possible/practical to keep a day job while trying to own/manage a bar?No.

Re: food. You either do it big time, or don't do it at all. Managing a kitchen is 5 times harder than managing bar operations.

[Mose]

Upon further research, I'm finding that there seems to be a serious image problem in the area where I'm looking to open something. After some inquiries some people have said they would not go to that area to piss let alone drink and see a band and the whole town is full of losers and assholes.
Am I out of my mind to think I could change that? - I've read every single thing AlanjustAlan has written - he is a testimonial to the contrary.

Funny thing is, I know many people from this town and they don't fall under the category of loser or asshole.

[ABEAR]

hmmmm....changing the target market's attitiude or perception of a bar or a part of town where a bar happens to be is very very difficult. It is best done by a developer on a large scale rather than by a single new owner of one small spot.

On the other hand...how cool and profitable would it be if you ran the ONLY place in the area that was clean and safe and fun??????? But can you do it if you've never been in it before?...Not without help.

As far as food...well...keep it simple...keep it cheap...and keep it open late...
As far as trying to run it while you have a full time day gig?...now thats just not possible unless your only going to be open on friday and saturday nights and you have someone to rely on to take care of business.


good luck...and PM me if you want to talk a bit about it.