Running a bar is no easy task. The challenges can be overwhelming, from managing inventory and tracking sales to ensuring smooth transactions during peak hours. Many bar owners struggle with outdated POS systems that are slow, inefficient, and fail to meet their specific needs. This leads to frustrated staff, dissatisfied customers, and, ultimately, lost revenue.
Imagine the frustration of bartenders trying to process orders quickly during busy nights, only to be slowed down by a clunky POS system. Picture the disappointment on customers’ faces as they wait longer than necessary for their drinks, leading to negative reviews and decreased foot traffic. Consider the stress of managing inventory accurately with outdated software, resulting in overstocked or out-of-stock items, impacting profitability.
Enter the solution: modern, efficient, and tailored bar POS systems. By upgrading to a top-notch POS system like Lightspeed, Epos Now, or Square, bar owners can say goodbye to slow transactions and inefficiencies. These systems offer intuitive interfaces, customisable menus, real-time inventory tracking, and seamless payment processing, empowering bar staff to work more efficiently and provide exceptional customer service. With features like detailed reporting and 24/7 support, these POS solutions ensure that bars can thrive in today’s competitive market. Don’t let outdated POS systems hold your bar back – invest in the best POS system for your business and watch your profits soar.
- Square – Ideal Fit for Impromptu Bars and Kiosks
- Epos Now – Optimal Selection for Sizable Bars or Pubs
- Lightspeed – Excellent Affordability for POS Plans
- TouchBistro – Outstanding Choice for Gastro Taverns Emphasising Food
- Zettle – POS System for Small-Scale Bars and Pubs
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EPOS Systems | Square | Epos Now | Lightspeed | TouchBistro | Clover |
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Pricing/ | £0 – £69/month | From £39/month | From £59/month | From £59/month | Custom |
Good For | Small retailers, cafes, solo entrepreneurs | Scalability | Retail and hospitality businesses | Best for restaurants | Medium to large enterprises seeking custom solutions |
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Square
Are you a startup or a small business owner looking for a hassle-free way to kickstart your operations? Look no further than Square POS. With its user-friendly interface and no requirement for a merchant account or WiFi connection, Square is the perfect choice to get your business up and running swiftly. Whether setting up a cosy bar or a bustling pub, Square offers the simplicity and efficiency you need to start welcoming customers immediately.
Setting up your bar with Square is a breeze. You need an iPad, the Square for Restaurants app, and the Square card reader, and you’re ready to go. In contrast, competitors like Epos Now can be more complex to set up due to the extensive hardware requirements. With Square, you can customise your POS system according to your specific needs. Choose from various equipment packages tailored for restaurants, and rest assured that you can use these accessories with other compatible software in the future.
Square POS doesn’t just offer simplicity; it’s packed with useful features designed to streamline your bar’s operations. From efficient staff management to seamless table management, Square has you covered. Bar staff will appreciate the repeat order function, making it easy to handle rounds for patrons. Moreover, Square is one of the top-rated takeaway POS systems if your bar has an online presence. Its central dashboard updates in real time, ensuring smooth management of online orders and deliveries.
When it comes to fees, Square keeps it transparent and affordable. Square charges a competitive rate of 1.75% per transaction with no merchant account required. Funds are transferred directly into your business account within one to two business days, offering convenience and peace of mind. Plus, Square’s software seamlessly integrates with various third-party apps, including delivery services, CRM software, and accounting tools, further enhancing your bar’s efficiency and productivity. Make the smart choice for your bar’s POS system—choose Square and experience the difference today.
Features
- Intuitive Interface
- Customisable Menu
- Table Management
- Staff Management
- Inventory Tracking
- Repeat Order Function
- Online Integration
- Transparent Pricing
Pricing
| Software cost: | Transaction Fees | Hardware cost |
| Free | 1.75% in-person transaction fee 1.4% + 25p for UK card transactions 2.5% + 25p for non-UK card transactions 2.5% Keyed-in transactions | £19 + VAT |
Pros
- User-Friendly Interface: Square offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, reducing training time for staff.
- Customisable Menu: Easily customise menus to reflect your bar’s offerings and update them as needed.
- Efficient Order Processing: Streamline order processing with features like table management and repeat order functions.
Cons
- Limited Hardware Options: While Square offers hardware solutions, the options may be limited compared to other providers.
- Learning Curve: Some users may experience a learning curve when setting up and using Square’s POS system.
- Customer Support: There have been occasional reports of delays or challenges in accessing customer support.
Epos Now
Epos Now POS presents an exceptional POS solution tailored specifically for bars and pubs, equipped with various post-COVID features to streamline operations and enhance customer service. With functionalities like table-side ordering and payments and seamless delivery app integration, Epos Now ensures a smooth and efficient service experience for both staff and patrons. Moreover, its seamless integration with leading restaurant POS systems further bolsters its capabilities, providing comprehensive tools for easily managing your establishment.
One of the standout features of Epos Now is its robust stock management system, alleviating the challenges of inventory tracking in the bar and pub industry. By offering real-time inventory tracking, automated purchase orders, and drink recipe creation to mitigate overpouring, Epos Now empowers you to maintain optimal stock levels and minimize wastage effectively.
Epos Now’s advanced reporting functionalities also deliver invaluable insights into sales performance and seasonal trends, enabling informed decision-making to maximise profitability. Its comprehensive reporting capabilities allow you to identify top-selling items, track seasonal variations, and optimise your menu offerings accordingly.
Furthermore, Epos Now distinguishes itself with its integrated kitchen management functionality, bridging the gap between front-of-house and back-of-house operations. By synchronising food orders seamlessly with the kitchen display system, Epos Now ensures efficient communication and coordination between staff members, resulting in smoother service and improved customer satisfaction.
Epos Now offers versatility to suit your business needs in fixed and iPad POS configurations. Compatible with a range of merchant account providers, including Payment Sense and WorldPay, Epos Now provides flexibility and convenience in payment processing, further enhancing the overall customer experience.
Features
- Table-side Ordering and Payments
- Real-time Stock Management
- Advanced Reporting and Analytics
- Kitchen Management Functionality
- Delivery App Integration
Pricing
| Software cost | Hardware cost | Transaction fees |
| From £74/month | Starts at £399 | 2.6% + £0.10p |
Pros
- Real-time Stock Management: EPOS Now offers a complete stock management system, allowing bar owners to track inventory in real-time, automate purchase orders, and prevent overpouring, minimising waste and maximising efficiency.
- Advanced Reporting Capabilities: Access comprehensive reports and analytics to gain insights into sales performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions to optimise profitability and improve operations.
- Kitchen Management Functionality: Sync front-of-house and back-of-house operations to streamline communication and food preparation processes, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors in bar operations.
Cons
- The complexity of Setup: EPOS Now may require some time and effort for initial setup, especially compared to simpler POS systems like Square, due to the extensive hardware and software configuration involved.
- Cost: While EPOS Now offers a range of advanced features, it may come with a higher initial investment compared to some other POS systems, making it less suitable for businesses with limited budgets.
- Learning Curve: Staff members may require training to fully utilise all the features and functionalities of EPOS Now, which could result in a learning curve and temporary disruptions to operations during the implementation phase.
Lightspeed
With tailored packages for bars and even fine dining establishments, Lightspeed Bar is well equipped to help beverage businesses provide exceptional service – which is why we named it our best POS system for hospitality.
Bar Lightspeed’s package for bars and pubs is built with efficiency in mind. The menu function has been designed so bar staff can reach the till sections they require in just a few taps, while multiple menus can be created and assigned to different devices.
Lightspeed allows you to split bills by number or by seat, making it really easy for people to pay only for what they ordered. And when it comes to keeping tabs on exactly what customers are ordering, just head over to its cloud-based analytics centre to see what’s selling and what’s not.
With the option to integrate Lightspeed with order apps, delivery software, loyalty software, and supplier management software, Lightspeed is the ideal solution for growing businesses.
And when its most popular plan includes a register, personalised onboarding, and unlimited support, there’s plenty of reasons why Lightspeed is one of the best POS systems for bars and pubs. Check out our full Lightspeed POS review.
Features
- Table-side Ordering and Payments
- Real-time Stock Management
- Advanced Reporting and Analytics
- Kitchen Management Functionality
- Delivery App Integration
Pricing
| Software cost | Hardware cost | Transaction fees |
| From £69 per month | Pricing available via quote | 2.6% + £0.10 for card-present transactions 2.9% + £0.30 for card-not-present transactions |
Pros
- Efficient Menu Functionality: Lightspeed Bar offers a menu function designed for quick access, allowing staff to navigate to sections with ease.
- Bill Splitting Options: With Lightspeed, bills can be split by number or seat, simplifying customer payment.
- Cloud-Based Analytics: Lightspeed provides access to a cloud-based analytics centre, enabling businesses to monitor sales trends and make data-driven decisions.
Cons
- Cost: Lightspeed’s comprehensive features may come at a higher cost than some other POS systems, potentially impacting small businesses’ budgets.
- Learning Curve: Due to its advanced functionalities, there may be a learning curve for staff members transitioning to Lightspeed Bar, requiring additional training.
- Dependency on the Internet: Lightspeed relies on internet connectivity as a cloud-based system, which could pose challenges in areas with unreliable or limited internet access.
TouchBistro
TouchBistro’s bar POS system is tailored to meet the specific needs of pubs and bars, prioritising high-end service and efficient operations. One of its standout features is its intuitive menu interface, allowing servers to input orders quickly and accurately. With a visual menu and customisable ingredients lists, even new staff can navigate different cocktails with ease.
The tableside order management system streamlines order taking, enabling staff to take orders for each seat, select menu items by course, and upsell with menu prompts. Features like ‘Fast Bar’ facilitate a two-step order process, allowing staff to focus more on customer interaction and hospitality.
TouchBistro also offers a smart promotions tool, making it easy to create and manage promotional offers such as happy hours and seasonal events. Additionally, the loyalty program feature helps businesses incentivise repeat visits by offering targeted discounts and rewards based on customer spending. With TouchBistro, pubs and bars can elevate their service and attract and retain loyal customers with ease.
Features
- Intuitive Menu Interface
- Tableside Order Management
- Fast Bar Functionality
- Smart Promotions Tool
- Loyalty Program Integration
- Real-time Reporting
Pricing
| Software cost | Hardware cost | Transaction fees |
| From £59 per month | Pricing available via quote | 2.9% + £0.10 for card-not-present transactions |
Pros
- Intuitive menu interface: TouchBistro’s user-friendly menu interface allows servers to quickly input orders, making it easy for new staff to learn and use effectively.
- Efficient tableside order management: With TouchBistro, staff can take orders for each seat, select menu items by course, and upsell on the spot, ensuring a seamless ordering experience for customers.
- Fast bar functionality: The “Fast Bar” feature streamlines the order process, allowing staff to focus more on customer interaction and service.
Cons
- Initial setup may require some learning curve: While TouchBistro is feature-rich, setting up the system and learning to use all its functionalities may require some time and training.
- Pricing could be higher compared to some competitors: Depending on the features and packages chosen, the pricing for TouchBistro may be higher than that of some competitors, potentially impacting the overall cost of ownership for businesses.
Zettle
For small and burgeoning hospitality ventures, Zettle presents an ideal solution, providing the essential tools for a smooth takeoff. With Zettle’s card reader arriving promptly by post, businesses can swiftly begin processing payments, a stark contrast to the lengthy setup and learning curve associated with platforms like Lightspeed. What’s more, Zettle’s intuitive POS software supports multiple iPads, enabling efficient staff distribution and access to essential features like table management and contactless payment acceptance right at the table with the Zettle card machine. Additionally, Zettle offers the convenience of payment links, allowing customers to settle their bills through easily accessible text or email notifications.
But Zettle doesn’t just stop at the basics; it’s designed with growth in mind. Through its back-office web application, Zettle provides bars and pubs with comprehensive reporting capabilities, offering valuable insights into top-selling menu items and strategies to attract more patrons. Despite being one of the leading free POS systems, Zettle doesn’t impose growth limitations on its users, making it an attractive choice for businesses aiming to expand rapidly without worrying about scalability issues. With Zettle, small businesses have access to sophisticated tools that empower them to compete effectively in the hospitality industry while keeping costs low and flexibility high.
Features
- Table Management
- Contactless Payment
- Payment Links
- In-Depth Reporting
- Menu Customisation
- Scalability
Pricing
| Software cost | Hardware cost | Transaction fees |
| Free | Starting from £29 + VAT | 1.75% for all contactless or card payments |
Pros
- Easy Setup: Zettle’s straightforward setup process allows bars to start accepting payments quickly, with minimal hassle.
- Contactless Payment: The ability to accept contactless payments enhances convenience for both staff and customers, especially in today’s fast-paced environment.
- Payment Links: Offering payment links via text or email provides flexibility for customers to settle bills remotely, reducing wait times and improving overall customer satisfaction.
- Comprehensive Reporting: Zettle’s robust reporting features enable bars to gain valuable insights into sales performance, inventory management, and customer preferences, facilitating informed decision-making.
Cons
- Limited Hardware Options: Zettle’s hardware options may be limited compared to other POS providers, potentially restricting customisation or specific hardware requirements.
- Transaction Fees: While Zettle offers competitive pricing, transaction fees may impact overall costs for bars with high transaction volumes, particularly for smaller businesses.
- Advanced Features: Some advanced features commonly found in higher-tier POS systems may be lacking in Zettle, limiting functionality for bars with more complex needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a bar POS system do?
A bar POS system is tailored to handle the unique needs of bars and pubs, including managing orders, tracking inventory, processing payments, and generating reports to help streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
How do I choose the right POS system for my bar?
When selecting a POS system for your bar, consider factors such as ease of use, features tailored to the hospitality industry, affordability, compatibility with your existing hardware, and customer support options to ensure you find the best fit for your business needs.
Are there POS systems specifically designed for bars?
Yes, there are POS systems specifically designed for bars and pubs, offering features such as tableside ordering, menu customisation, drink recipe management, and integration with delivery apps to meet the unique requirements of bar operations.
What are the benefits of using a POS system in a bar?
Using a POS system in a bar can help improve order accuracy, streamline inventory management, enhance customer service, track sales and trends, prevent overpouring, and ultimately increase profitability by optimising operations and reducing costs.
Final Words
In today’s competitive hospitality industry, having the right POS system can make all the difference in the world for your bar. With the plethora of options available, it’s crucial to choose a solution that not only meets your current needs but also aligns with your long-term business goals. From streamlining order management to providing detailed analytics, a robust POS system can empower your staff and enhance the overall customer experience.
For startups and small businesses, Square Bar and Zettle offer user-friendly interfaces and affordable pricing plans, making them ideal choices for those just entering the market. On the other hand, larger bars may benefit from the advanced features and extensive hardware options provided by Epos Now or Lightspeed. Each system has its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s essential to carefully evaluate your specific requirements before making a decision.
Ultimately, investing in the right POS system is an investment in the future success of your bar. By leveraging the capabilities of modern technology, you can streamline operations, increase efficiency, and drive profitability. Whether you’re looking to improve order accuracy, reduce wait times, or gain deeper insights into customer preferences, a well-chosen POS system can help you achieve your business objectives and stay ahead of the competition.
