The Bar Business Podcast: Bar & Pub Owner Profits, Marketing & Operations

Let’s be honest, running a bar is one thing. 

Running a nightclub? That’s a whole different game. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Connor Treacy, who co-founded Off Sunset, one of LA’s most buzzed-about nightclubs. We talk through everything you don’t see on Instagram what it really takes to keep a club relevant, why you’re basically running a circus, and how a tiny 150-person room was pulling in $4 million a year. 

If you’ve ever been curious about nightlife, or even tempted to open a club yourself, you’ll want to hear this. It’s not all champagne and celebrities. There’s ego management, legal landmines, and a surprising amount of hands-on hustle. 

Here’s what we get into: 

• Why nightclubs are way riskier and more intense than most bars
• How Connor built buzz without flashy marketing or big budgets
• What it’s like dealing with high-maintenance guests, drama, and paparazzi
• How much money clubs actually make and what it takes to keep it going
• Why Connor made the leap from nightlife to pizza (and what he’s eyeing next)

Give it a listen—this one’s honest, behind-the-scenes, and packed with takeaways for anyone in hospitality.

Connect with Connor Treacy on Instagram: @theconnortreacy

Find him on LinkedIn: Connor Treacy on LinkedIn

Visit his website:  connortreacy.com 

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Own, run, or manage a bar? Join Bar Business Nation.

An EXCLUSIVE private Facebook group for bar owners and operators who want better ways to run the business.

Ask questions, hear what other owners are dealing with, and get ideas you can actually use.

🔴Join here:
 → https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

📌Additional resources
🔴Grab the books “How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!” and “Menus that Sell” here:
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ 

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 today's episode: 

• Learn the simple yet powerful formula for food cost calculation.
• Discover how to track waste, spillage, and variance to keep your food and beverage cost in check.
• Understand why weekly inventory and standardized recipes are essential for managing cost of goods sold restaurant numbers.
• Get real-world tips to improve your restaurant finances through better cost controls.

Tune in now to master the numbers that drive profit and finally take control of your food and beverage costs.

📌Start Here
Own, run, or manage a bar? Join Bar Business Nation.

An EXCLUSIVE private Facebook group for bar owners and operators who want better ways to run the business.

Ask questions, hear what other owners are dealing with, and get ideas you can actually use.

🔴Join here:
 → https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

📌Additional resources
🔴Grab the books “How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!” and “Menus that Sell” here:
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ 

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 dead stock)
• Build a data-driven ordering system that reduces spoilage and overbuying

Listen now and discover how using the right POS insights can turn guesswork into smart, profitable decisions every week.

📌Start Here
Own, run, or manage a bar? Join Bar Business Nation.

An EXCLUSIVE private Facebook group for bar owners and operators who want better ways to run the business.

Ask questions, hear what other owners are dealing with, and get ideas you can actually use.

🔴Join here:
 → https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

📌Additional resources
🔴Grab the books “How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!” and “Menus that Sell” here:
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ 

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 confidently handle price questions from guests

Listen now and discover how thoughtful pricing can turn “awkward increases” into smooth, profitable wins—for you, your team, and your bottom line.

📌Start Here
Own, run, or manage a bar? Join Bar Business Nation.

An EXCLUSIVE private Facebook group for bar owners and operators who want better ways to run the business.

Ask questions, hear what other owners are dealing with, and get ideas you can actually use.

🔴Join here:
 → https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

📌Additional resources
🔴Grab the books “How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!” and “Menus that Sell” here:
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ 

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, figure out how to set up retirement plans that actually work for them. 

In today’s episode:

• Why IRAs aren’t always the best choice for bar owners
• What makes a 401(k) more flexible — and how it can save you money
• The tax credits that are available right now (they can be big!)
•  How you can set rules around who qualifies — so you’re not giving money to short-term staff
•  What to expect when you set one up (it doesn’t take as long as you think) 

Listen now and take the guesswork out of retirement planning for good. 

Learn more about Life, Inc. Retirement Services 

Life, Inc. Retirement Services Website

📌Start Here
Own, run, or manage a bar? Join Bar Business Nation.

An EXCLUSIVE private Facebook group for bar owners and operators who want better ways to run the business.

Ask questions, hear what other owners are dealing with, and get ideas you can actually use.

🔴Join here:
 → https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

📌Additional resources
🔴Grab the books “How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!” and “Menus that Sell” here:
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ 

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 chaos
• Train your bartenders to move with precision, not panic 

Listen now and learn how smart systems can make “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” your bar’s new reality. 

📌Start Here
Own, run, or manage a bar? Join Bar Business Nation.

An EXCLUSIVE private Facebook group for bar owners and operators who want better ways to run the business.

Ask questions, hear what other owners are dealing with, and get ideas you can actually use.

🔴Join here:
 → https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

📌Additional resources
🔴Grab the books “How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!” and “Menus that Sell” here:
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ 

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 shift 

Listen now and take the guesswork out of hiring and firing for good. 

📌Start Here
Own, run, or manage a bar? Join Bar Business Nation.

An EXCLUSIVE private Facebook group for bar owners and operators who want better ways to run the business.

Ask questions, hear what other owners are dealing with, and get ideas you can actually use.

🔴Join here:
 → https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

📌Additional resources
🔴Grab the books “How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!” and “Menus that Sell” here:
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ 

 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 your margins 

Listen now and turn your next event into a money-maker, not a resource drain. 

📌Start Here
Own, run, or manage a bar? Join Bar Business Nation.

An EXCLUSIVE private Facebook group for bar owners and operators who want better ways to run the business.

Ask questions, hear what other owners are dealing with, and get ideas you can actually use.

🔴Join here:
 → https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

📌Additional resources
🔴Grab the books “How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!” and “Menus that Sell” here:
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ 

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 one stumble at a time.

In this episode:

• The gut-check moments no one warns you about when starting a bar
• Why passion’s just the starting point — and what actually keeps you afloat
• How Gregg built a bar that regulars didn’t just like — they belonged to

Hit play to hear what happens when a back-of-napkin idea turns into a full-blown bar — and the reality behind the dream.

The Golden Monkey Lounge Website

The Golden Monkey Lounge Facebook

📌Start Here
Own, run, or manage a bar? Join Bar Business Nation.

An EXCLUSIVE private Facebook group for bar owners and operators who want better ways to run the business.

Ask questions, hear what other owners are dealing with, and get ideas you can actually use.

🔴Join here:
 → https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

📌Additional resources
🔴Grab the books “How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!” and “Menus that Sell” here:
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ 

 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 transform your late-night dead zone into a profit powerhouse. 

📌Start Here
Own, run, or manage a bar? Join Bar Business Nation.

An EXCLUSIVE private Facebook group for bar owners and operators who want better ways to run the business.

Ask questions, hear what other owners are dealing with, and get ideas you can actually use.

🔴Join here:
 → https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

📌Additional resources
🔴Grab the books “How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!” and “Menus that Sell” here:
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/