Bar Pour Cost Calculator
Work out pegs per bottle, cost per 30 ml or 60 ml peg, and the selling price that hits your target pour cost.
How to use the free Bar Pour Cost Calculator
- Enter your figures in the fields above – use real numbers from your PMS, channel manager or accounts.
- Tap the button to see the result instantly. Change any value to compare scenarios.
- Copy, print or save the result and use it in your daily or monthly review.
This Bar Pour Cost Calculator runs fully in your browser on mobile or desktop – no sign-up and nothing is uploaded. Free bar pour cost calculator for Indian bars and hotels. Get pegs per bottle, cost per 30 ml or 60 ml peg and the right price at your target pour cost.
What pour cost means
Pour cost is the cost of the liquor and mixers in a drink as a percentage of its selling price. It is the bar's version of food cost. If a peg costs you ₹50 to pour and you sell it for ₹200, your pour cost is 25%. Tracking it per brand stops you from underpricing premium bottles and shows quickly when stock is going missing.
Cost per drink = Bottle cost ÷ Sellable pegs + Mixer cost
Selling price = Cost per drink ÷ Target pour cost %
Worked example
A 750 ml bottle of whisky costs ₹1,800. With a 5% allowance for spillage and over-pours you get about 712 ml, or 23.7 small pegs of 30 ml. Each peg costs about ₹76 in liquor. Add ₹20 of soda, ice and lemon and the drink costs about ₹96. At a 25% pour cost the price works out to about ₹384, so you would list it at ₹390.
Indian bar specifics
- Peg sizes: Indian bars usually sell 30 ml small pegs and 60 ml large pegs. Price both from the same bottle cost so the large peg is not accidentally cheaper per ml.
- Taxes: alcoholic liquor for human consumption is outside GST. State VAT, excise duty and licence conditions apply instead and vary by state, so confirm the treatment on your bills with your CA.
- Wastage: keep the allowance realistic. Free pouring without a measure can lose far more than 5%, so use jiggers or calibrated pourers.
Controlling pour cost
- Do a physical bottle count at least weekly and compare usage with POS sales.
- Keep a breakage and spillage register, signed by the bar manager.
- Price premium brands with a lower pour cost percentage but a higher rupee margin.
- Review prices whenever your supplier rate changes. For food, use the food cost calculator to keep the kitchen on the same discipline.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good pour cost for a bar in India?
Many bars aim for roughly 18% to 30% on spirits, with beer and wine often higher. The right figure depends on your licence fees, rent and the brands you pour.
How many 30 ml pegs are there in a 750 ml bottle?
There are 25 pegs of 30 ml in a 750 ml bottle in theory. After a realistic allowance for spillage and over-pours you usually sell around 23 to 24.
Is GST charged on liquor served in a bar?
No. Alcoholic liquor for human consumption is outside GST. State VAT and excise rules apply instead, so check the correct treatment with your CA.
Want a revenue expert to check your numbers?
Get a free OTA, pricing and reputation audit from Revgrow360 — no obligation.