Sport and pleasure are not mutually exclusive - especially after a strenuous power workout, many exercisers are inclined to reward themselves with a little something and treat themselves. Delicious smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, or creamy fitness shakes are all good options, and ideally, of course, your members will indulge themselves at your own sports bar in your gym. Find out what you need to consider when setting up a bar in your gym here.
What permits do I need?
To find out what permits you need to operate a sports bar in your gym, you first need to determine what you want to offer in your sports bar.
A restaurant is operated by anyone who serves drinks for consumption on site (Schankwirtschaft) or serves prepared food for consumption on site (Speisewirtschaft) and if the business is accessible to everyone or certain groups of people.
You only need a restaurant license if you want to serve alcoholic beverages, but the regulations of the gastronomy law also apply to your sports bar.
So if you only want to serve non-alcoholic beverages or additionally offer tasty snacks, healthy salads or other prepared meals, you only need your trade license for the time being.
Which laws and regulations do I have to observe?
Since 2006, the legislative competence for restaurants has been transferred from the federal government to the states, so which rules apply in detail depends on the state in which you operate your sports bar. The local Chamber of Industry and Commerce is always a good point of contact and can offer advice and assistance. In any case, you should inform yourself about:
- The ordinance regulating price indications
- The food hygiene ordinance
- The infection protection law
- The law for the protection of minors
- Regulations on public holidays and closing times
- The Working Hours Act
- The building use ordinance
What do I have to consider when equipping the gym?
Kitchen and preparation area
If you want to offer prepared food, a kitchen that complies with hospitality law is of course mandatory. But even if you "just" want to offer smoothies, shakes, fitness cocktails and other drinks - as soon as the preparation exceeds just pouring from a bottle into a glass, a sensible prep area is worth its weight in gold.
This prep area can be integrated into the actual bar area. Then it's important that your guests can't reach directly into the prep area, and that there are ample opportunities to work cleanly and neatly. Guests shouldn't be able to look at chopped lemon remnants, squishy pieces of fruit, or wildly stray coffee grounds; enough hidden trash cans and a sink are mandatory here. Of course, you'll need the right equipment for the products you want to offer in the sports bar. A good coffee machine, suitable blenders for shakes and smoothies, juicers for fresh juices - the possibilities are many, it is important that you rely on high-quality equipment approved for the catering industry.
You need a hand-washing sink for your employees right in the entrance area - every time they enter the bar area or prep area, your employees are required to wash and sanitize their hands.
Adequate refrigeration and well-designed storage areas are also important - a well-organized warehouse not only saves space, but also cash.
Summer ideas for the sports bar
The actual bar
The centerpieces of the actual bar are, of course, an appealing bar counter and ample seating for your guests. How many seats you need depends, of course, on your goals for the sports bar. The most important thing in your studio is, of course, still the sport - so in most cases the following should apply: Less is more!
In addition, you need the appropriate dishes, glasses, cups and cutlery. Make sure to buy calibrated drinking vessels for all drinks - the pricing in your bar has to be for a certain amount! "Small" and "large" are not quantities, estimates are not allowed here.
Conclusion
Setting up a sports bar in your gym can be done quickly and easily in most cases, as long as you don't want to serve alcoholic beverages you don't need a restaurant license, the trade license is sufficient. In addition to the actual bar area with seats for the guests of your bar, you need a useful preparation area. If you also want to offer prepared food, you will need a kitchen that complies with catering regulations. In addition, you need sufficient cooling and storage facilities. The regulations of the catering law also apply in the sports bar, and you must inform yourself about them country-specifically.
Find the right facility for your gym at an unbeatable price now!
Editorial fitnessmarkt.de (DG)
Photo credit: #85230920 Prostock-studio / stock.adobe.com
Published on: 21 August 2019