70% of the streets in Lagos have a bar where everyone congregate to buy drinks, pepper soup, fried meat and chill.
Pick a Trendy Location
The first thing to consider before every other thing is the location. The amount of people who live, or come around your location will determine the inflow of people. And the inflow of people will determine patronage. So, get a place with this prospects in view. There is really no point in setting up a bar in a location where people do not gather.
The Name Must Be Catchy
It is important that every business has a name that’s catchy and easy to remember. Coming up with the name for your bar is no different. Therefore, make a simple name that people will have no trouble calling. If anyone has to meet anyone in your bar; it’s an easy call.
Generator
With the bane of incessant power supply in Nigeria, the first thing to invest in is a power generator. 80% of Bar activities occurs at night, which means, you need a backup generator in to complement the power supply from PHCN
Coolant
Customers want their drinks cold. This is social law. A good refrigerating unit will help make this possible. Alcohol beverages are better served cold. Power failure should never be an excuse hence it’s important to get the generating set in the first place.
Music
Music is the biggest social factor in Nigeria. Depending on the size of the bar, you will need a DJ set or a home theatre unit to help play the music. However, the type of music to be served may depend on your location and the type of people who patronize you. Cool music for the older crowd or hip music for the younger generation.
Food
You serve what you know customers in your location will like. For a bar on the mainland, pepper soups and point-and-kill fishes are a must. On the mainland, barbecue and sharwama are requested on a steady.
Another option is to lease a part of the bar to a third party to handle this option while you are paid outrighly or get a commission on every sale.
Soccer Matches
Next item to purchase is a decoder for cable television. Football matches are a big deal in Lagos so you have to jump on the trend and use it to your advantages. Sports and beer are associated with each other these days so much so the biggest sponsors of football in the world are beer companies like Star, Guinness and Heineken.
It is common to find bars filled up on match days.
Liquor License
This is very important. You need a liquor license to operate a bar that sells alcoholic beverages in Lagos state. Before you launch, I’d advise that you apply to the Lagos State Ministry of Interior for the license. Otherwise you will be fined and your establishment shut down permanently.
