Interactive calculator that projects EBITDA, EBITDA margin, and break-even for your specific bar concept. Enter your operational assumptions, see the numbers update in real time. No email signup required.
Calculator covers operating economics only. Does not include startup capital, debt
service, depreciation, or taxes. For multi-year projections and full sensitivity
analysis, see the Bar Business Plan.
Want the full financial model with multi-year projections and sensitivity analysis built in?
Author, Hospitality Industry Authority, and Expert Witness · Last updated: November 2025
§ 01 — How to Use the Calculator
Three ways to put it to work.
№ 01
Quick Sanity Check
Enter rough estimates for each input. Output gives a quick sanity check on whether the venue economics support the concept. If EBITDA is negative or break-even revenue exceeds realistic capacity, the concept needs reworking.
№ 02
Sensitivity Testing
Run the calculator multiple times with different assumptions: optimistic (high volume, premium ticket, low COGS), base case (realistic estimates), conservative (lower volume, market-rate ticket, higher COGS). Sensitivity testing reveals which variables most affect profitability.
№ 03
Concept Comparison
Run the calculator with assumptions for different concept types — neighborhood bar vs. bar and grill vs. sports bar. Compare projected margins to evaluate which concept best matches your capital position and market opportunity.
§ 02 — Industry-Standard Inputs
Realistic ranges for each input.
Use these benchmark ranges as a starting reference for your inputs above.
§ Cost of Goods Sold
By concept type
Beer-heavy bar
22–26%
Mixed beverage bar
18–23%
Spirit-focused cocktail lounge
16–21%
Bar and grill (blended)
24–29%
§ Variable Labor
By concept type
Bar-only
22–30%
Bar and grill
28–35%
Higher-service cocktail lounge
30–38%
§ Occupancy Benchmark
As a percentage of revenue
Healthy bars run rent + CAM + utilities + property tax pass-through at 8–12 percent of revenue. Above 12 percent suggests over-rent. Above 15 percent typically unsustainable.
§ 03 — What the Calculator Does Not Do
Operating economics only.
The calculator covers operating economics — the ongoing performance of a running venue. It does not include:
For the complete financial model with all of the above built in, see the Bar Business Plan.
§ 04 — Save Your Inputs
No data stored.
To save your specific inputs and outputs as a reference, take a screenshot or print the page after entering your numbers. The calculator does not store data between sessions — nothing leaves your browser.
Multi-year projections, sensitivity analysis on every variable, debt-service modeling, and the full Bar Business Plan around it. The calculator is the first 5%; the plan is the other 95%.
