How do I sell a nightclub?

A nightclub is harder to explain on paper than a pub. Much of what a buyer is paying attention to sits in people and habits: who brings the crowd, which nights fill up and who controls the music. Your job is to turn that into records a stranger can follow, and to be candid about what depends on you personally.

Show how the room earns

Separate door and cover takings from bar sales, bottle service and private event bookings. Show them by night of the week and by season. A buyer wants to know which parts are steady and which depend on a particular event. Have your accountant check that the records tie to the books before anyone else sees them.

Promoters, DJs and security

Promoters and DJs often have their own following, and some may leave with you. Write down who is under contract, who works on a handshake and what each is owed. Do the same for security staffing and any outside firm you use. Ask your lawyer to review these arrangements before you describe them to a buyer.

Equipment, neighbours and the lease

List the sound and lighting equipment, noting what you own and what is leased. Be open about neighbour relations and any past complaints, since a buyer will hear about them anyway. Gather the lease and any landlord consents. This page on choosing a broker for a bar sale describes how a broker can help with the wider process.