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How Do You Open a Pop-Up Bar?

Published in Bar Operations 3 mins read

Opening a pop-up bar, a temporary and often uniquely located drinking establishment, involves a structured approach that shares many similarities with starting a mobile bar business. Based on the provided steps for starting a mobile bar, here are the key actions required to get your pop-up bar off the ground.

Essential Steps for Launching Your Pop-Up Bar

Launching a pop-up bar requires careful planning, legal compliance, and operational setup. Following these steps, adapted from guidelines for mobile bars, will provide a solid foundation for your temporary venture.

1. Write Your Business Plan

A detailed business plan is crucial. It should outline your concept, target audience, potential locations, financial projections, and operational strategy. This plan serves as your roadmap and is essential for securing funding.

2. Secure Funding and Loans

Determine the capital needed to cover initial expenses like licensing, inventory, equipment, marketing, and potentially venue rental. Explore funding options, including personal savings, loans, or investors. A strong business plan will be vital in this phase.

3. Obtain the Proper Licenses, Including a Liquor License

This is perhaps the most critical step for any bar, mobile or pop-up. You must obtain the necessary licenses to operate legally. This includes a liquor license, which can be complex and time-consuming to acquire and often depends on local regulations regarding temporary locations or mobile operations. Research and apply for all required state and local business permits and health certifications well in advance.

4. Taxes, DBA, and EIN

Formalize your business structure. This involves:

  • Registering for applicable taxes.
  • Filing for a Doing Business As (DBA) name if you're operating under a name different from your legal one.
  • Obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, necessary for hiring staff and tax purposes.

5. Decide on the Design and Atmosphere

Define the unique look and feel of your pop-up. Since pop-ups are temporary, your design can be creative and tailored to specific themes or locations. Consider ease of setup and transportability if moving between spots.

6. Branding, Marketing, Promotion, and Advertising

Develop a strong brand identity for your pop-up. Utilize marketing strategies to build buzz before opening and attract customers during your operational period. Social media, local partnerships, and public relations are key for temporary ventures.

7. Create the Menu

Plan your drink menu carefully. Consider your concept, target audience, and operational constraints. Will you offer a full bar, specialize in cocktails, or focus on beer and wine? Keep it manageable for a temporary setup.

8. Find Suppliers and Order Inventory

Establish relationships with beverage distributors and other suppliers for ingredients, garnishes, and disposables. Order the necessary inventory based on your planned menu and expected volume. Effective inventory management is crucial, especially for a limited-time operation.


These steps, derived from the process of starting a mobile bar business, provide a comprehensive framework for planning and executing the launch of a successful pop-up bar. Each phase requires careful consideration and execution to ensure legal compliance and operational efficiency.

Here's a quick summary table of the key areas:

Phase Key Actions Importance
Planning Write Business Plan Roadmap, Funding
Finances Secure Funding/Loans Capital for Operations
Legal Obtain Licenses (incl. Liquor), Handle Taxes, DBA, EIN Legal Operation, Compliance
Concept Decide Design/Atmosphere Brand Identity, Customer Experience
Promotion Branding, Marketing, Promotion, Advertising Customer Acquisition
Operations Create Menu, Find Suppliers, Order Inventory Daily Functioning

By addressing each of these areas thoroughly, you increase the likelihood of a smooth and successful pop-up bar operation.