Bar Hours

[NewBar]

Here's what I see: Some bars are open almost all the time while others are now posting a limited summer schedule. Since we opened (two years ago) we've been open for biz starting at 4PM Tues - Sat (closed Sun & Mon). Now we're hearing from guests they wish we were open on Sundays. Our video surveillance does show some traffic attempts on Sundays.

Are most of you open 7 days?

[rootsreality]

Do you have a bar or a nightclub?

Our neighborhood bar is open 7 days from noon until at least midnight. The previous owner was closed on Sundays. Under my ownership Sundays have been sporadic. Sunday afternoons are generally pretty slow, but the evening business is there. We do a special Sunday event about once a month - pool tournament, pot luck, barbeque, etc.

[lost]

I guess drinking culture is a bit different in the UK, but we open our bars noon until 3AM monday to saturday and noon to 2AM on Sundays. The clubs open, every day except tuesdays or thursdays.

[owneroper]

Sundays are hit and miss, but we do stay open. We are open seven days a week

[Phil Novara]

It would be worth an attempt to open Sundays...Promote it for a month then give it a test run to see if the business is there.

Really you cannot predict the business, but keep in mind Sunday night is Friday night to most people who work in the industry. Therefore, you can promote an industry night special with a paycheck stub. Worth a shot...

[Rainee]

I'm open every day, 4pm - 4am.
For a smaller place, I don't see why you would not open.
You marginal cost to open the door is shift pay for your staff and a little extra electricity.
This is pretty low, and even on the slowest day I have never failed to cover the costs of being open. Assuming you don't have much budget for promotions and advertising, just being open is one of your best ways to advertise yourself.

[chrisrich]

Interesting. Where I am currently (Canada). The bars open at around 8pm and close at 2am. Some are closed Sundays. As well, you cannot buy alcohol in general stores...you must go to a private or government liquor store.

[SHEP]

Personally, I would be open anytime that was legal in your state or town.

I used to be open from 10 AM until midnight or until the last customer leaves. Here's the problem. I had bartenders, that when midnight rolled around, wanted to leave because they had been there since 5PM, which, you can't blame them. They would not encouage anyone to stay after midnight, and if someone came in, they would tell them "we are getting ready to close".

In January of '08 I started being open 24/7, which is legal where I'm located. It was slow at first, but within 6 or 8 months, really took off. Now I do as much business from midnight until 9AM than my two other shifts combined.

By staying open as long as allowed, no one has to wonder if you are open. I didn't start staying open 24/7 to get the drunk or problem drinker that needed a drink at 6AM. Grant you , I am located in a resort/casino area and get a lot of customers that get off work between midnight and 4AM.

Whatever you do. BE CONSISTANT.

[beach1]

Whatever you do. BE CONSISTANT.
That's great advise.