Bar-onomics

So you want to open a bar, huh? A profitable bar? We asked four experts to run the numbers on a make- believe, 1,000-square-foot neighborhood pub in the East Village.

Start-Up Costs
Rent for six months while waiting on a liquor license: $49,800 (assuming $8,300 a month) Liquor license and fees: $9,000 Equipment, construction, and demolition: $60,000 Signage: $1,000 Dcor and glassware: $21,000 Training for six employees: $858 Initial liquor order: $6,000 (45 percent on beer, 40 percent on liquor, 5 percent on wine, 10 percent on mixers) Sound system: $1,000 Emergency funds: $50,000 Misc.: $2,000 TOTAL . . . . . . . $200,658

Ongoing Monthly Costs

Rent: $8,300 Booze: $10,000 Insurance: $500 Misc.: $1,900 Staff pay: $1,720 (assuming 100 hours a week at $4.30 an hour) Utilities: $1,320 Taxes and fees: $1,000 TOTAL . . . . . . . . $24,740

The Markups

Draft beer: $3.59 a pint Bottled beer: $3.85 a bottle Well liquor: $4.65 a pour Top-shelf liquor: $3.35 a pour Wine: $3.48 a glass

Break-Even Point
Amount youd have to gross in 18 months before you start turning a profit: $645,978 (monthly expenses of $24,740 for 18 months, or $445,320, plus start-up costs of $200,658) Number of customers required per night to reach $645,978 in 18 months (assuming $5 per average drink and 1.5 drinks per person): 160