How Much Time Does It Take to Run a Pub? A Realistic Look at Day-to-Day Life

There’s no getting away from the fact that running a pub day to day is a pretty hands-on job. How demanding that actually gets on your time is all down to the type of pub you’re running, how it’s set up, and how you choose to run it. Some of our operators are heavily involved in every part of the business, while others build a team around them to help lighten the workload. 

Before looking to take on a pub of your own, it’s worth setting some realistic expectations early on. The pub trade is not a passive business, and it does require time, commitment and some hard graft if you want to make a success of it. That doesn’t necessarily mean every pub has to run the same way, but you do need to be prepared to put in the hours, even if it’s just at the beginning.

What Does a Typical Pub Day Involve?

One thing to note about the pub trade is that the day typically tends to start way before the doors actually open. Depending on the type of pub you’re running, cleaning, restocking the bar and kitchen prep could all apply. Yes, some of this could be done the night before, but it’s typically left to the morning due to the relatively late nights. 

Once you’re actually open, all the focus shifts to service, which stems far further than simply keeping your customers happy. Not only is there food and drinks to be served, but you’ll also be managing staff, dealing with suppliers and handling other aspects of the business at the same time. On top of this, you’ll want to make sure you’re actually interacting with your customers throughout the day, getting to know the “regulars” and generally making sure the pub has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 

As the day starts to wind down, there’s still work to do. You can’t really leave dirty glasses and sticky floors till morning, and you’ll need to cash up tills, place orders, check figures and manage rotas. These are just some of the parts of the business that people the other side of the bar never see. 

Why Do Some Pubs Demand More Time Than Others?

It’s unlikely you’ve ever stepped foot inside two identical pubs, so it’s probably fair to say they don’t all run the same way. The demand on your time will largely depend on the type of pub you’re running, where it’s located and how complex the overall operation is. 

A busy town centre pub, for example, will naturally demand more time than a quiet local where trade is more predictable. Also worth noting, wet-led pubs tend to be more straightforward, whereas food-led sites have many moving parts to contend with daily, which can sometimes bring added pressure. 

Your staffing matters too. If you have a solid team in place, and everyone knows their role, workload is shared and delegated, and it takes the pressure off one person. If you’re short staffed or trying to do too much yourself, the hours and stress levels can soon mount up. If the pub also offers accommodation, that brings a whole new layer of responsibility and demands on your time. 

Overall, it’s generally down to size and complexity. It’s not rocket science to assume as smaller put is easier to manage than a bigger one with multiple income streams. Just be sure to really ask yourself how much you would be comfortable taking on, be honest with how much time that would demand running the pub day to day. 

Do You Have to Do Everything Yourself When You Lease a Pub?

When you lease a pub through Admiral Taverns, you are free to run the business any way you see fit. So, that responsibility sits with you in terms of how the business is set up, but it would probably be unrealistic to manage everything single handedly. 

Most pubs run and operate better with a support team, so getting the right staff in place makes a big difference and allows you to delegate parts of the day to day running. How many staff you choose to bring in and in what capacity will again depend on the size and complexity of the operation.

Think about how hands on you want to be when browsing available pubs to let. Smaller country pubs are probably better suited to those wanting a more central role, while larger town centre pubs are usually better for more managerial styles of operation. 

How Can First-Time Operators Prepare for the Reality of Pub Life?

Getting set for pub life for the first time can be both exciting and daunting at the same time, especially if you’ve never run a pub before. Taking some initial preparation steps in advance is certainly going to help alleviate some initial worries. 

Understanding when the busiest periods are is a great place to start. Pubs tend to be busier in the evenings and at weekends, and this will determine how demanding the job feels. If you know when you’ll be needed the most, that will help set expectations from the start

It’s also important that you’re realistic about the workload. Many people overlook this on their first time out and forget that running a pub can be pretty full-on. Be honest with yourself about how much time you’re willing to put in and what that might look like on a daily basis, and match leasing opportunities accordingly. 

Before taking on any lease, ask as many questions as you can. Don’t just look at the outside, look at how it runs, when it’s busy and what the expectations will be from you as the operator. The more you understand upfront, the easier it’s going to be to make a decision on what’s right for you.

How Does Admiral Taverns Help People Settle into Running a Pub?

As with all our pubs, you’ll be running your own business under a leased and tenanted model, not a managed one, so how you run the pub is left up to you. 

That being said, you’re by no means left to figure it out all on your own. Admiral provide training and guidance throughout your tenancy, not just at the start, and our recruitment team are on hand to help you understand what’s expected and whether the pub you’re looking at is the right fit before you get started.