Beer And Wine Establishment In California

[KaliforniaLove]

I have been throwing parties throughout the Greater Los Angeles area for about a year now, and cant seem to find a place to park and do business. So I've concluded that the best thing for me to do is open up an establishment. Being that a full liquor license is EXPENSIVE in the greater LA area, my idea is to open an establishment with only a Beer and Wine License- severely cheaper and readily available, save the profits from that for future purchase of a Full Liquour License and then open a bigger and better establishment. Right now i just need something small and cozy, mabybe 2000 sq ft.

My question is, is this possible for under $50K?


Stage
Lights
Bar
Projector, couple flatscreens
few table and chairs
simple decor

I'm also a sound engineer, so i already have all the sound reinforcement gear.

Thanks in Advance

[Ruben]

You could butttttt is the place all done up? paint walls etc? how much is your lease per month etc

[Emerson]

The answer is quite honestly "no".

Los Angeles is one of the most permit unfriendly cities and NOT INCLUDING from the cost of the Beer & Wine, the cost of escrow to transfer the license and the ABC fees + plus all the Police Commission and other agency fees will easily be 10% of your total budget. This is not including any build out, staffing, inventory and other requirements.

I am all about being realistic and doing everything within the smallest budget but starting a place off underfunded can lead to long term damage, you maybe forced to take some of these high interest merchant loans etc.

Dont get me wrong, i am sure there is a fully built out venue, with all the licensing and everything ready to go fully turnkey out there, but i think it would have significantly more value on the open market than 50k.

I look forward to you proving us wrong.

-Emerson

[ca. club owner]

LA is a rough place for that type of business.. Beer an wine.. But hey anything can be done... I was all ways told, " how ever much cash you think you need to start a business, DOUBLE it ".

[DavidTownsend]

Here's a couple of development budgets for nightclub reconcepts/remodels that cover just about everything that you'll need.

[andsla]

I am actually thinking about making my dream come true, you know, I talked about it a while before, opening a night club in Mexico. I guess it is time for me.

I found a very good location I am currently working on carrying on negotiations with investors and I need a good idea for the opening, because that is really important stuff here.
I am very open for recommendations of wine and beer and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that I could serve.

I am also thinking about inviting some famous American people (http://www.csupomona.edu/%7Enjpierce/hollywood.html), because a friend of mine knows some, because he is an actor too. I guess that will work won't it?

[andsla]

I talked to my father about my idea building up a night club in Mexico, after hour, warehouse style, and he would agree to be an investor and give his name as a kind of safety, if that is of any importance, actually. Still I do not know, if I do need a kind of certificate to be allowed to sell beer and wine (http://www.csupomona.edu/%7Enjpierce/wines.html) and other alcoholic drinks, mix drinks and so on, without an official permission? does anyone know anything about that?

[candeo]

David, thank you for posting the budgets, this is very informative. How big (sq footage) are those places? Did you have to redo everything inside? Seems to me that 20 days of general contractor is really not much.