The Bar Business Podcast: Smart Hospitality & Marketing Secrets For Bar & Pub Owners

What Smart Bar Operators Are Doing Differently with Jay Ashton & Domenic Pedulla

Running a bar or restaurant right now isn’t just hard, it’s overwhelming.Costs are up, regulations keep shifting, and somehow you’re still expected to master tech, lead a team, control inventory, and deliver unforgettable service at the same time. The truth? Most owners were never taught the business fundamentals before jumping in and the failure rate shows it.In this episode, Jay Ashton and Domenic Pedulla, hosts of the Late Night Restaurant Podcast, share what they’re seeing from the front lines of hospitality across Canada and beyond.They break down government pressure, rising alcohol taxes, tech resistance, lack of execution, and why education (not hustle) is the real separator between operators who survive and those who shut their doors.If you care about profitability, longevity, and building a bar or restaurant that doesn’t become another statistic, this conversation will challenge the way you think about running your business.Connect with Jay and Domenic and check out the Late Night Restaurant Podcast 👉 Jay Ashton – https://www.linkedin.com/in/canadasrestaurantguy/👉 Domenic Pedulla – https://www.linkedin.com/in/domenic-pedulla-71605848/👉 Late Night Restaurant Podcast – https://www.youtube.com/@LateNightRestaurantPodcast🔴 Learn More: 🔴 📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here → https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell". → https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ Our Partners: QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant IntelligenceBusiness intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line. https://www.quixspec.com Dining Alliance Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

The Human Audit: 5 Questions Your Bar Staff Can Answer That Your Dashboard Can’t

Your dashboard tells you what happened.It doesn’t tell you why.If revenue is slipping, labor is climbing, or regulars are quietly disappearing, your KPIs are showing symptoms, not causes.In this episode, we break down The Human Audit, a simple 15-minute monthly system for bar owners to reduce staff turnover, improve guest experience, and protect profit by asking five direct questions.You’ll learn:Why KPIs are lagging indicatorsThe five questions to ask your team every monthHow to spot turnover risk earlyHow to catch guest experience leaks before they cost youHow to fix culture issues before they hit your numbersIf something feels off in your bar, this is how you figure out why.🔴 Learn More: 🔴 📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here → https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell". → https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ Our Partners: QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant IntelligenceBusiness intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line. https://www.quixspec.com Dining Alliance Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

The Emotional ROI of Hospitality: Why $50 on a Regular Outperforms $5,000 in Ads

You’re spending money on ads… but your bar still doesn’t have real regulars.The drinks are good. The vibe is solid. People come in once, and then you never see them again.Because attention isn’t loyalty. And discounts don’t build attachment.Today, we’re breaking down why a simple $50 hospitality move can outperform a $5,000 ad campaign and how to turn everyday service into moments people actually talk about.If you’re tired of chasing new customers and ready to build the kind that stick, let’s get into it.🔴 Learn More: 🔴 📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here → https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell". → https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ Our Partners: QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant IntelligenceBusiness intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line. https://www.quixspec.com Dining Alliance Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

The Theatrical Menu: How to Turn Every Cocktail Into Free Marketing

Why are you paying for ads… but your bar isn’t getting talked about?Your costs are controlled. Margins look healthy. The menu is optimized.On paper, you’re doing everything right.But great drinks aren’t marketing. They serve guests. They don’t create moments. And they won’t give people a reason to pull out their phones.A small theatrical upgrade might increase cost. It might also increase perceived value, dwell time, and organic reach.In this episode, we break down how to design a menu that markets your bar for you.If your cocktails taste great but no one’s sharing them, this one’s for you.🔴 Learn More: 🔴 📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here → https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell". → https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ Our Partners: QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant IntelligenceBusiness intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line. https://www.quixspec.com Dining Alliance Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Party of Six - Bar Show Mastery: Unlocking the Secrets to Successful Industry Events and Networking

Discover how industry shows can transform your hospitality career and business.In this episode, our expert panel shares personal stories and insights on the evolving role of bar shows and conventions. Learn how these events offer unparalleled opportunities for education, networking, and innovation.Gain insider knowledge on selecting the right events, maximizing your experience, and leveraging the latest industry trends. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned professional, find out how to elevate your skills and business acumen.Tune in to explore the benefits of attending industry shows and start planning your next event to unlock new opportunities for growth and success.Key Topics- The shift from product promotion to education-focused conferences- Personal experiences from top industry events like Tales of the Cocktail- Strategies for choosing the right shows based on your goals- The impact of networking and trend research- Supporting newcomers through scholarships and inclusive programsResources & Links- India Bartender Show - https://www.indiabartendershow.in/- Tales of the Cocktail - https://talesofthecocktail.org/- A Tale of Two Taverns By Dave Nitzel and Dave Domzalski - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GLMFNDM9/- Menus that Sell by Chris Schneider - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHW722LF/- Stinger Compliance - https://www.stingercompliance.com/- QuickSpec AI Business Intelligence - https://www.quixspec.comCliff Crider - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clifford-crider-0323548/Aoife Halliday - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoife-halliday-8831b29a/Minakshi Singh - https://www.linkedin.com/in/minakshi-singh-4ba9a071/Dave Nitzel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidnitzel/Chris Schneider - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-schneider-74732021/🔴 Learn More: 🔴 📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here → https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell". → https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/ Our Partners: QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant IntelligenceBusiness intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line. https://www.quixspec.com Dining Alliance Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant