Making a Profit
People start Irish pub businesses so that they make as much money as possible. These establishments come with plenty of overheads. The staff need to be paid a fair wage. Ordering drink supplies tend to be somewhat expensive. Even the electricity bill will end up eating into the profits over time. The main way to tackle this problem is by getting as many customers in as possible.
It is also vital that managers are good with their finances. The key is to balance the budget so that the pub is making more money than it is spending. Some owners utilise spreadsheets to help them understand where their overheads are coming from. If they know what is losing them money, they can change their business practices.
Another issue is the amount of competition out there. Many people have realised the lucrative nature of Irish pubs. There are news stories on sites such as the BBC that delve into these business successes. Consequently, the pub needs to differentiate itself from others. This may be difficult if it has the same atmosphere as other ones. Before creating the pub, it is wise to come up with a unique selling point.
Marketing is another useful tool. In recent years a lot of Irish pubs have taken advantage of social media. It will connect the drinking establishment with potential customers. The pub could have its own social media page containing video ads and posters. The internet has significantly changed how these places operate. Their success can often be judged by the number of positive reviews they attain from the general public. New customers will often read these before deciding if the pub is worth visiting.
Designing Pub Interiors
Some people may assume that all Irish pubs look the same. This is not necessarily true. On the surface, a lot of them do feature similar design elements. This is because customers associate Ireland with a distinct range of iconography. On the other hand, newer pubs have strived to be more unique by changing perceptions of the traditional Irish décor. If a new pub owner wants to come up with something special, they need to consider a number of interior design factors.
Fans of Irish pubs may have noticed that many of them feature a colour scheme of green, orange and white. There is an important reason for this. They are the colours of the Irish national flag. Green is also associated with the country due to its bucolic landscape. Furthermore, the hue is associated with Catholicism. Meanwhile, white is meant to symbolise peace, and orange has historical links with the Protestant movement.
The issue with focusing so much on the flag is that interior designers have painted themselves into a corner. It has led to the misconception that all Irish pubs are alike. There are two solutions to the problem. The first is to get creative with the scheme. If designers think outside of the box, they can continue to utilise greens, whites and oranges in non-traditional ways.
Another option is to come up with something completely new. Recently created bars are more likely to opt for something modern. They could choose an understated, simplistic palette. This can include wood brown or a black and white combination. If it is a family-focused establishment, then vibrant hues might be chosen so that the design appeals to kids.
The colour scheme is just one factor to consider. The size and shape of the interior space are also important. It will directly affect how much furniture can be placed inside the pub. The dimensions also correlate with the maximum number of potential customers. Larger pubs are able to fit more people in. If there is a dance floor, this also needs to be taken into account. The main goal is to make it easy for people to move around inside the pub and sit down if they need to. Consequently, designers should be careful where they place the furniture.
Creating a Pub
There are some Irish pubs that have existed for many decades. However, this does not mean that modern entrepreneurs are unable to create brand new ones. These businesses have proven to be potentially lucrative if they run the right way. They are essentially the same as a standard bar. The main difference is the décor and ambience. In fact, it is possible to redecorate a regular pub so that it has an Irish theme.
Before committing to this business venture, it is important to be aware of how the current industry is doing. Sometimes the sector is booming. In Northern Ireland, the opening hours of pubs are occasionally extended in order to cater to an influx of customers. The new owner could decide to open the establishment to coincide with these busy seasons.
On the other hand, there are times when it is unwise to create an Irish pub. A good example is the recent lockdown protocols that came into effect across the country. Irish citizens were unable to leave their homes, let alone go out for a drink. As a result, the industry took a big financial hit. It is beginning to recover. However, savvy owners should always prepare for these rules to be put in place once more.
The key to the success of an Irish pub tends to be its location. It should be in close proximity to its customer base. Being within the centre of a town or city is ideal. There will need to be plenty of parking spaces for the clientele to utilise. Drinking establishments that are in the middle of nowhere are less likely to succeed in the long term.
It should also be noted that Irish pubs do not even need to be located in Ireland. The United States is filled with these businesses. The main thing is that the owner creates a space that reflects the spirit of Ireland. Irish people have relocated to countries all over the world. It is essential for them to have a piece of home. Other customers will simply want to experience the culture of Ireland.
Once the location has been picked out, it is time to secure all of the necessary permits. The manager needs to secure a license that authorises them to serve alcohol to the general public. Every country will have its own laws and regulations to abide by. The staff should be trained well so that they know what is and is not permitted of them. For example, all employees have to be aware of the legal drinking age. The most lucrative Irish pubs will be ones that manage to bring in plenty of customers on a regular basis. The best way to achieve this is by providing a very high-quality service.