Opening a bar is a sequence of dependent steps. Some can run in parallel, but many can’t start until another finishes: you can’t finalize a build-out before you have a lease, and you can’t open the doors without the right licenses. Thinking in phases keeps the project moving and helps you spot delays early.
Phase 1: Concept and brand
Define what your bar is: the crowd, the energy, the signature drinks and the nights you’ll own. A clear concept guides every later decision, from layout to hiring.
If you license an established brand like SHOTS, much of this phase is already done. You start with a proven name, recipes and menus, and focus your energy on adapting the experience to your market.
Phase 2: Market and location
Study the area, compare candidate spaces and confirm zoning before signing anything. Ask your attorney to review lease terms, especially those covering permitted use, hours and build-out responsibilities.
For SHOTS licensees, the territory is defined by population density and market potential, so you have room to grow without competition from other SHOTS licensees.
Phase 3: Licensing and permits
Liquor licensing, health permits, building permits, signage approvals and occupancy certificates each have their own process and timeline. Start early and track every application.
Requirements differ widely by city, county and state. Your local licensing authority and a hospitality attorney are the best sources for what applies to you.
Phase 4: Build-out and equipment
Work with contractors experienced in bars and restaurants. Plan bar stations for speed, storage for inventory, and lighting and sound for atmosphere.
Order long-lead items early. Coolers, ice machines, custom signage and furniture can take longer than expected to arrive.
Phase 5: Hiring and training
Hire key managers first and involve them in hiring the rest of the team. Train on recipes, service standards, responsible alcohol service and security procedures.
Run practice shifts and friends-and-family nights before opening. They reveal workflow issues while the stakes are low.
Phase 6: Launch and stabilize
Plan an opening event, line up your social media content, and prepare staff for the first busy weekends. Expect to adjust schedules, par levels and menus in the first weeks.
Track what works and adjust quickly. The first months set your reputation in the market.
Managing the critical path
The critical path is the chain of tasks where any delay pushes back opening day. For most bars it runs through lease signing, permit applications, build-out and final inspections. Identify those tasks first and track them weekly. Everything else, from uniform orders to social media setup, can usually flex around them.
Create a shared calendar or project board with owners, dates and dependencies for every task. Hold a short weekly check-in with your contractor, manager and anyone handling permits. Ask the same three questions each time: what got done, what’s next and what’s blocked. When something slips, decide immediately whether to absorb it, accelerate something else or move the date. Communicate date changes early to staff you’ve hired and to anyone you’ve told about opening, because a quiet delay damages trust more than a clear update. Finally, protect a buffer. Leaving extra time between the planned end of build-out and your public opening gives you room for inspection follow-ups, equipment hiccups and the soft openings that make the first public weekend smoother.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing a lease before confirming zoning and licensing.
- Ordering long-lead equipment too late.
- Hiring the whole team at once instead of managers first.
- Skipping soft openings to save a few days.
Quick checklist
- Write your concept in one page.
- Confirm zoning and licensing paths.
- Create a shared project calendar with dependencies.
- Order long-lead items early.
- Schedule soft openings before launch.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to open a SHOTS bar?
It depends on your market, space and local approvals. Ask the licensing team about your situation.
What should I do first?
Define your concept and market, then confirm zoning and licensing requirements before committing to a space.
Does licensing a brand shorten the timeline?
It can shorten concept work. With SHOTS you start with the brand, recipes and menus instead of developing them.
The bottom line
Opening a bar is a project with many moving parts. A phase-by-phase plan keeps the critical path visible and the opening date realistic.
Where SHOTS fits
SHOTS is a nightlife brand built over more than a decade on quality, ambiance and unforgettable experiences. Through brand licensing, one one-time payment gives you permanent rights to the SHOTS brand, recipes, menus and other brand assets, with no royalties, no terms and no renewals. Pay once, yours for good. Licensees operate independently and keep 100% of the profits. Every SHOTS location is unique. We strive to save startup costs for owners wherever possible, without ever sacrificing the SHOTS experience.
The SHOTS rights include:
- The right to use the SHOTS brand name in your territory.
- Access to the proven SHOTS recipes and menus.
- Digital media rights and more than a decade of SHOTS digital materials.
- Rights to produce branded merchandise.
- A location page on shotsbar.com/.
Ready to talk about your market? Request licensing info and our licensing team will reach out. Each licensing deal is tailored to fit your territory, so the first conversation is about your market, your plans and how SHOTS could work there.
