Bar Happy Hour Profit Calculator
Happy hour specials can drive traffic, but do they actually help your bottom line? Enter your regular price, discount, pour cost, and expected volume lift to see the real profit impact.
About this calculator
Estimate the profitability of a happy hour drink special by comparing discounted pour costs, expected volume lift, and margin against regular pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much volume increase is needed to break even on a happy hour discount?
It depends on your margin, but generally the deeper the discount, the more volume lift you need. This calculator shows the exact profit difference for your specific numbers.
What is pour cost?
Pour cost is the cost of the liquor, beer, or wine that goes into a drink, expressed as a dollar amount or percentage of the sale price.
Can happy hour ever be less profitable than regular pricing?
Yes, if the discount is too steep relative to the volume increase, happy hour can actually reduce total profit per hour even though sales volume rises.