The Bar Business Podcast: Smart Hospitality & Marketing Secrets For Bar & Pub Owners

Some nights, the problem isn’t staffing or service, it’s that the seats simply aren’t filled. 

Early-week shifts can drain profits fast, and relying on deep discounts often does more harm than good. 

In this episode, we’ll walk through five proven, no-cost strategies to turn slow nights into high-performing ones.

 📌  What You’ll Learn 📌 

🌟 Why partnering with the “wrong” business can be your best move 
🌟 How trivia or karaoke n...

Most bar owners spend hours tweaking their menu or pricing strategy and barely think twice about the lighting, music, or layout. 

But what if the way your bar feels is quietly bleeding money... or driving up your revenue? 

This episode breaks down how your atmosphere directly influences customer behavior, from how long they stay to how much they spend. 

  📌  What You’ll Learn 📌 

🌟 How your bar’s environment directly impact...

You’ve got a team that shows up, but somehow the service is hit or miss and it’s driving you (and your guests) nuts. 

The truth is, most bar training is rushed, inconsistent, or just flat-out missing the mark.

This episode breaks down a simple way to train your staff daily in small, bite-sized pieces without overhauling your whole operation. 

 📌  What You’ll Learn 📌 

🌟 Why most bar training fails and what makes it actually stick.

Most bar owners focus so hard on pricing and promotions, they miss the real reason customers come back or don’t. 

It’s not always about the money. 

It’s how people feel when they walk in, order a drink, and interact with your team.

 📌  What You’ll Learn 📌 

 🌟 Why service gaps kill repeat business
 🌟 How to map the full guest journey
 🌟 The one ratio your marketing hinges on
 🌟 What your reviews really reveal
 🌟 H...

Most bars have no idea what it really costs to bring in a new customer. 

And if they are tracking it, they’re usually missing half the expenses. 

This episode breaks down a simple way to calculate your true customer acquisition cost so you’re not just guessing. 

 📌  What You’ll Learn 📌 

🌟Why CAC is the number most bars ignore but shouldn’t
🌟The simple math that reveals if your marketing actually works
🌟What most bar owners...

Feel like every tech company is trying to sell you the next “must-have” tool for your bar? 

You’re not crazy, and half of them don’t even understand how bars actually work. 

In this episode, we’re talking about why most bar tech ends up wasting your time and money and how to figure out what’s actually worth the investment. 

📌  What You’ll Learn 📌  

🌟Why bar tech drains profits before you even notice.
🌟The one metric t...

Your bar’s bringing in money, but somehow you’re still stressing about next week’s payroll. Sound familiar?

It’s one of the most frustrating things: sales look solid, your P&L shows a profit, but the cash just isn’t there when you need it. 

This episode breaks down why that happens and how to fix it before it turns into a real emergency.

*What You’ll Learn:*

🌟Why profit doesn’t mean you’ve got money in the bank...

Dive into the world of cocktails with Neal Bodenheimer, one of the top bar owners globally and co-chair of Tales of the Cocktail. Discover the magic behind this iconic event and how it shapes the cocktail industry.

Neal shares his journey from a college bar bouncer to a leading figure in the hospitality industry. Learn about his passion for giving back through the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation and how it has become a cornerstone ...

Think cutting labor costs is the only way to keep your bar profitable? 

I used to believe that too, but I’ve learned that obsessively cutting labor often hurts your profits instead of helping them.

In this episode, I’ll show you how investing in your staff through strategic overstaffing and better pay can actually make you MORE money by improving guest experience, reducing turnover, and increasing revenue per cust...

Think your pricing strategy is solid because your drink cost is sitting at 20%? 

I used to think that too until I realized the standard markup model was leaving serious money on the table. 

In this episode, I’ll walk you through how a few small shifts in pricing psychology can increase your profits without raising prices across the board or scaring off your regulars. 

 📌  What You’ll Learn 📌  

• Why a 20% pour cost isn’t the win yo...

Are you feeling stuck in your business or contemplating a major career change?

Many entrepreneurs find themselves at a crossroads, unsure of how to pivot or reinvent themselves in a constantly evolving market. 

In this episode, we chat with Kelvin Abrams, who transformed his journey from a government employee to a successful doggy daycare owner and, eventually, a high-end bourbon bar owner. 

 

What You’ll ...

Looked at your menu and thought, “No one’s really gonna order that $12 juice, right?” I thought the same. 

But here’s the truth mocktails and zero-proof drinks are on the rise. And if your bar isn’t leaning in, you’re probably leaving money on the table.

In this episode, I’m breaking down how the sober curious trend is changing the game and how bar owners like you can turn it into a real opportunity.

What You’ll Learn:

• Wh...

Menu engineering isn’t just about what’s selling it’s about understanding why it’s selling, and how each item on your menu affects your bottom line. 

In this episode, I  break down into the advanced side of menu engineering: the psychology, operational impact, and customer behavior behind what stays, what goes, and what truly drives profitability. 

We’ll cover: 

• Why removing “unprofitable” items might actually cost you money
• How to...

Managing a bar takes more than great service and solid sales you also need accurate financial systems behind the scenes. 

In this episode, I walk through how to properly move sales data from your POS system into QuickBooks, and why doing it right can save you time, reduce errors, and improve your cash flow. 

We’ll cover: 

• What data you actually need to move from POS to QuickBooks
• Common mistakes bar owners make with integration
• Why ...

Let’s be honest, running a bar is one thing. 

Running a nightclub? That’s a whole different game. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Connor Treacy, who co-founded Off Sunset, one of LA’s most buzzed-about nightclubs. We talk through everything you don’t see on Instagram what it really takes to keep a club relevant, why you’re basically running a circus, and how a tiny 150-person room was pulling in $4 million a year. 

If you’ve...

Are your food and beverage costs higher than expected? 

Learn the key food cost calculation formulas and strategies to take control of your margins and protect your restaurant finances. 

Many restaurants and bars struggle with tracking the cost of goods sold restaurant data accurately, leading to unexpected losses. Understanding the difference between actual and theoretical costs can help you maximize profitability. 

In toda...

Want to make smarter, more profitable decisions without working longer hours? 

Your POS system holds the answers. Most bar owners barely scratch the surface of the data they already have. But when you know what to look for, you can spot waste, improve margins, and make every shift run smoother. 

In today’s episode: 

• Learn which weekly reports actually boost your bottom line
• Track inventory the right way (and stop wasting cash on de...

Want to raise prices without losing customers or damaging your guest experience? 

Rising costs are unavoidable, but raising your prices doesn’t have to feel risky. With the right timing, menu strategy, and communication, you can protect your margins and keep guests happy. 

In today’s episode:

• Learn the best times of year to raise prices (without guest backlash)
• Use smart menu design to minimize price sensitivity
• Train your staff to ...

Want to keep more of what you earn and build long-term security for yourself and your team? 

Retirement planning may sound overwhelming — but with the right strategy, it can reduce your taxes, attract better employees, and set you up for the future. 

In this episode, I talk with Matt Ruttenberg, co-owner and Director of Business Development at Life, Inc. Retirement Services. Matt helps businesses, including bars and restaurants, figu...