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

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...

Want a bar that runs faster, smoother, and more profitably, without burning out your staff? 

Boosting your speed of service doesn’t mean cutting corners. With the right bar setup, systems, and training, you can serve more guests, increase revenue, and keep both customers and staff happy. 

In today’s episode: 

• Discover hidden setup mistakes that slow your bar down
• Implement systems that double your service speed, without adding chao...

Want a team that actually makes your bar better, not harder to run? 

Building the right team doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. With the right systems, you can hire smarter, train faster, and keep morale high. 

In today’s episode: 

• Learn how to create a hiring process that attracts the right people
•  Set clear expectations and avoid team drama before it starts
•  Build a steady pipeline so you're never scrambling to fill a sh...

 Are your bar events packed but your profits still "Missing In Action"? 

Plenty of bar owners throw high-energy events that look great on the surface but behind the scenes, they’re losing money without even realizing why. 

In today’s episode: 

• Learn the key numbers that make or break your event's bottom line
• Nail your staffing strategy so you’re not overpaying or underprepared
• Spot the hidden costs that quietly eat yo...

Ever dreamt of opening your own bar — only to wonder if you’re cut out for the chaos that comes with it?

Gregg Singer didn’t set out to open a bar. What started as a real estate deal turned into The Golden Monkey Lounge in Glens Falls, NY — and a crash course in what it really takes to run a bar from the ground up.

This isn’t a story about ribbon cuttings or flashy cocktails. It’s about long nights, hard lessons, and figuring it out ...

 Is your late-night crowd disappearing faster than your beer inventory? 

Many bar owners watch their late-night sales plummet without understanding the real reasons why guests aren't staying - or coming back. 

In today's episode:

• Learn how to energize and optimize your late-night team 
• Master the perfect late-night menu and pricing strategy 
• Discover the environmental factors that keep guests longer 

Listen now to tran...

Is your craft beer program facing its biggest challenge yet? With craft beer production plummeting 4% in 2024—the largest decline outside the pandemic—bar owners need to act fast to protect their profits.

For the first time in two decades, brewery closures (501) have outpaced openings (434). This seismic shift signals a transformation in consumer preferences and market dynamics that directly impacts your bar's bottom line.

In th...

 Is one slow night wiping out three good ones? 

Many bar owners watch their weekly profits disappear because of poorly managed slow periods. 

In today's episode:

• Learn to maintain profitability even during quiet shifts 
• Master staff scheduling for maximum efficiency 
• Discover proven strategies to build consistent traffic Action 

Listen now to transform your slow nights from profit-killers into opportunities for growth. 

Lear...

What if better leadership—not better cocktails—is the secret to unlocking your bar’s full potential?

 In this episode, Chris sits down with Dave Nitzel to unpack why the old-school, hard-nosed management style in hospitality just doesn’t cut it anymore. From coaching bar leaders to changing lives, Dave shares how real leadership development can radically transform not just your team—but your entire business.

In today's episode:

 Is your bar missing out on dozens of positive reviews every week?

Most bar owners struggle to get consistent reviews, despite having hundreds of happy guests each week. 

In today's episode: 

• Learn the exact moment to ask for reviews 
• Master a non-pushy approach that works 
• Discover how to make review collection automatic 

Listen now to transform your online reputation with this simple, proven strategy. 

Learn More:
Sche...

Are you tired of wondering where all your bar's money went at the end of each month? Kasey Anton joins us to show how the Profit First system is transforming hospitality businesses by giving every dollar a specific purpose.

Learn why traditional bank balance accounting fails bar owners and how a properly structured multiple-account system can provide immediate visibility into your business's true financial health...

 Need a quick boost in your weekend revenue? 

Many bar owners struggle to create promotions that are both profitable and quick to implement, leaving money on the table every weekend. 

In today's episode: 

• Learn instant-implementation promotional strategies 
• Discover how to structure pricing for maximum profit 
• Master the art of creating urgency in weekend specials 

Listen now to transform your next weekend's revenue wi...

Ever wondered why some bars proudly wear their one-star Yelp reviews like a badge of honor?

In the cat-and-mouse game of underage drinking, fake IDs are getting more sophisticated—and bars are on the front lines. But cracking down without scaring off real customers or running afoul of the law? That’s the real trick.

In today's episode:

• Learn why scanning IDs is only one piece of the puzzle in spotting fakes.
• Hear how rewarding...

Are your bartenders leaving money on the table every time they serve a drink?

Many bar owners struggle with getting their staff to consistently upsell, resulting in thousands of dollars in lost revenue potential each month. 

In today's episode:

• Learn proven psychological techniques to overcome upselling resistance 
• Discover how to create effective incentive programs that actually work 
• Master the art of training staff to upsell...

Why are bar insurance premiums skyrocketing—and is there anything you can do to protect your business?

If you’re a bar, restaurant, or nightclub owner, you’ve likely seen your insurance rates spike in the last few years. With more lawsuits, stricter laws, and fewer insurers willing to play ball, coverage has become more expensive—and more confusing. This episode gets into the weeds with an expert who knows exactly what’s going on be...

Is your bar losing customers because you're not prepared for the cashless payment revolution?

As cash transactions decline and customers increasingly expect digital payment options, bar owners must adapt their operations or risk frustrating guests and losing business while dealing with increased reconciliation complexity.

In today’s episode:

• Learn proven strategies to smoothly transition your bar operations for the digital pa...