Adding a wine bar to a coffee bar.
I wanted to get opinions in regards to adding a wine bar to a coffee bar. I would like to hear from those who currently sell wine and how it is working for them. I would also like to hear from those opposed to the idea. We are considering addding a wine bar to cater to our after 5:00 customers and to compliment the nights we offer music or other entertainment. I am thinking that serving wine may attract more customers to these evening events. I look forward to your opinions and ideas.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dennis on
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Depending on your local liquor regulations....if you can get the license, I'd go ahead with it if you have the right atmosphere. My cafe in Montreal, I had a liquor license and it worked really well...just another nice addition to the offering. the evenings would allow baileys/kahlua/grandmarnier cappucinos or lattes which people liked. then you can create a nice lounge like atmosphere in the evenings that can give a nice chill and talk kinda place that I think people are looking for more and more...as opposed to the loud bar scene. I say go for it....it's another competitive advantage over the big chain places that don't have that capability.
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Robertson on
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In the state of WA. it take some hoops to jump through to get your liquor license but for us as a , Wine Tasting shop with coffee it has been good. With wine tasting your very limited and yes I do get requests for a glass. I then have to explain what the limitations of our liquor license are and what exactly "Wine Tasting" consists of legally. Individual state liquor will dictate what you can and can not do with alcoholic beverages.
Again, short answer, for our very small shop in a small, (under 2K) population, town it has been good for us. We have Three wine climate controlled frigs our front so the customers can pick and choose and purchase without wine tasting if they choose. We also have a larger custom built wine storage climate controlled area to store the required amount of wine, in Washington state it amounts to 2K worth of wine on premises at all time. A rule designed to keep the tiny weenie shops from buying wine or booze wholesale for friends and relatives.
Again much of what I have said above will vary state to state depending on your local liquor laws.
Do your home work like you are and I think it will be a positive addition to your current theme.
Joe
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Ambassador for Specialty Coffee and palate reform.
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Permalink Reply by Terri Voltz on
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Thanks Dennis and Joseph for the feedback. Although a liquor license may be a better fit with coffee drinks, I would have to make many other changes before I could obtain a liquor license, and I don't believe the space I am currently in can accomodate the changes. I can; however, obtain a license for wine fairly easily. I hadn't thought too much about storage or about minimum purchases. Those are both good things to look in to. I have thought about the glass thing. We currently offer customers who bring in their own coffee cup 20 cents off their drink. Maybe I could offer something similar. I also know I will need to expand my menu. I am still exploring ideas on what foods I can serve.
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Sorry for any confusion. I was using the liquor license loosely. I meant Beer and Wine license.
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Permalink Reply by Cindy Mac Nicol on
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Hi Terri,
Ive got the same problem at the moment.
My one shop started off as a restaurant, then I added on the bar, and then the coffee, and this concept does work very well, especially with the vast group of people I have in my town.
The Dad would come in and order a beer, and Mother and the Kids will do the coffees or lattes or hot chocolate.
I am now busy opening my second shop, and I am contemplating the wine bit aswel.
I want to go for boutique wines, so its not the type of stuff you can get at a local supermarket.
I also use the Kahlua or Baileys or Amarula Cream liquors, but I dont think I can add that to the ALCOHOL related market like you would with say wine or beer.
I was also aiming on the AFTER 5 wine drinking market, but at the same time I dont think ill keep my doors open much after 10:00, because after that time theres a totally different crowd that would want you to cater for them (then its going to head towards cocktails and shooters market).
Anyone else with other comments, EITHER TALK ME OUT OF IT....OR GIVE ME MORE REASON TO CARRY ON!!!
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