Why does the type of hospitality business matter?
The type of business shapes what you buy and when cash runs short. A sports bar's biggest weeks follow the sports calendar, a café's revenue lives in the morning rush, a nightclub earns most of its money on a few nights, and an inn or wedding venue may take in deposits months before guests arrive. Funding should fit that rhythm.
That is why the same product can be a good fit for one business and a poor one for another. A line of credit suits a tourism-town inn's off-season; equipment financing suits a café replacing its espresso machine; a term loan suits a lounge re-concept.
What do these businesses have in common?
They all host guests, and most sell drinks as a core part of the experience. That means similar needs: bar and beverage equipment, periodic renovations to stay fresh, inventory bought ahead of busy periods, and licensing and insurance costs that arrive as large annual bills. Requirements vary by product and funder; many look at time in business, monthly revenue and credit.
Not sure where you fit? A restaurant with a strong bar program, a brewery taproom's serving side or a café that turns into a wine bar at night all belong here. Browse the funding options or read owner guides.
Frequently asked questions
Do you fund restaurants?
Restaurants with a bar program or those adding one fit well, since beverage service is our focus. Many of the projects on this site, such as adding a full bar, a coffee program or a wine program, apply directly to restaurants. Tell us about your business and what the funding is for.
Do you fund breweries, wineries or distilleries?
Our focus is the serving side: taprooms, tasting rooms and bars. Taproom build-outs, draft systems, seating and patios fit here. Production equipment such as brewhouses, fermenters or bottling lines is outside the scope of these pages. Tasting room upgrades are a common fit.
Can a brand-new bar or café apply?
Yes, though options are usually narrower before a business has sales history. New owners often start with equipment financing, where the gear helps secure the deal, and add other products once they have several months of deposits. Requirements vary by product and funder.
Find the funding that fits your room
Tell us what kind of hospitality business you run and what you need.
Updated September 14, 2026 · OpenTab Capital Funding Team