You are all familiar with the effort it takes to get a liquor license in the US, even if you just want to serve beer and wine. The process is bureaucratic, political, subjective, time consuming, etc. All we want is too get a drink! Why so many hurdles?
So... let's say you want to open a bar in Zurich. What do you do? Well, here's how it goes.
1. Find a place. For example, maybe there's an eye wear boutique that's going out of business and you can just move in and occupy their space.
2. Buy supplies. What do you need? Just some alcohol, some garnishes, glasses.
3. Provide food. Do you need some kind of health inspection? No way! The Swiss are super clean to begin with so why bog down commerce with unnecessary bureaucracy. Just get some food, a grill and some friends to cook for you.
4. Create an atmosphere. Bring is some furniture, maybe show some movies and videos.
5. Open. Invite friends and starting drinking.
This is the true story behind a new Zurich bar that I went to last night. Opening night. A group of guys decided they wanted a bar so they could have a place for all their friends to hang out. They took over the lease from an eye wear boutique. They stocked it with drinks and supplies, set up a grill, and opened the door. They didn't need a liquor license or a heath inspection. Was I worried about health and safety? No way! The place was awesome!
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| Geophy - bar owner, bar tender, film maker, cool guy. |
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| Are these guys cooks or customers? Why not be both! |
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| The kitchen. |
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| Back section of the bar. |
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| The garden. |
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| Screen showing music video. Guitar, to be played later by a customer. Glasses, left by prior shop owner and also fun props as drinking progresses. |
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| The bar at 6:00. |
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| The bar at 11:00. Mission accomplished. |
Incredible! What a groovy place. But, I have to admit, I'm glad we have health inspections in US bars and restaurants. We're a Fast Food Nation, after all...
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