A formatted, printable PDF checklist for opening a bar. It covers all six phases of the opening critical path — from concept lock through operational readiness — with each phase broken into specific items and dependencies noted. Built by hospitality veteran Ryan Dahlstrom.
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The downloadable checklist covers all six phases of the bar opening critical path:
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4
Phase 5
Phase 6
The PDF is designed to be printed and worked through sequentially. Suggestions for use:
For the full context on why the sequence matters and how dependencies work, see the Critical Path Checklist pillar. For the complete operating system including the business plan and startup cost spreadsheet, see the Open a Bar Founder Bundle.
Critical Path Checklist pillar →the complete framework
How to Open a Bar pillar →the opening overview
Bar Permits and Licenses →detailed licensing coverage
Bar Business Plan (product) →the plan that supports the checklist
Open a Bar Founder Bundle →complete opening system
Ryan Dahlstrom
Author & Expert Witness
20+ years of hospitality operations. Author of The Ultimate Responsible Alcohol Service Manual and The Bar Starts Here.
12 Month Financial Summary
Once you have the checklist, the bundle is the rest of the operating system: business plan, startup cost spreadsheet, and bartender training manual.
The checklist is what to do. The Bar Business Plan is the document that gets lenders, investors, and landlords to say yes — structured to the questions they actually ask.
