If you are a bar owner looking for a way to improve workflow and increase sales, then you need to set up a POS system in your bar right away. Bar POS systems are software platforms that facilitate several tasks for bar owners, including inventory management, sales reporting, payment processing, and much more.
Bar POS systems, which serve as the digital hub of your business, can help reduce the stress of running a bar while also increasing transparency and security. However, the problem with setting up a bar POS system is that there are so many bar POS software providers to choose from.
Although having a variety of options is good, this also means that you may end up with the wrong POS system. For your convenience, this article lists the five best POS systems for bars in 2023, so you can make the best decision for your business.
The 5 Best Bar POS Systems In 2023
Not sure which point-of-sale (POS) system is best for boosting sales and keeping your bar running efficiently? Here are the five best bar POS systems for 2023:
- Clover POS– Best Option Overall
- Toast POS– Best Bar POS System for Android
- TouchBistro– Best iPad POS System for Bars
- Lightspeed Restaurant– Best for Chargeback Management
- Square for Restaurants– Best Budget-Friendly Option
1. Clover POS – Best Option Overall
Clover POS is an all-in-one point-of-sale system that operates in the cloud and accepts and processes payments. This POS system is perfect for companies already online. Clover POS supports five types of businesses, including retail, service, e-commerce, table service restaurants, and counter service restaurants.
Thanks to this company, bar owners can ditch their old cash register and receipt printer in favor of Clover’s POS system, which provides secure access to a complete suite of features and products.
Clover POS product features for bar owners include tip management, separate checks, a loyalty program, inventory control, and employee management.
Also, Clover POS offers fast checkouts, time clocks, split checks, cloud reporting, and purchase orders. Additionally, the Clover POS system is supported on platforms like iPad, iPhone, SaaS, and Android.
Pros
- 24/7 live support
- More flexibility
- Easier payments
- Simple and adaptable functionality
- Excellent integration with third-party payment processors
Cons
- Setup can take a little time
- Pricing details are not transparent
2. Toast POS – Best Bar POS System for Android
Toast POS is one of the popular names in the nightclub and bar industry. This company boasts of having over 40, 000 nightclubs, restaurants, and bars in its system.
Toast POS is an Android-based, all-in-one system for managing a restaurant’s operations. This POS system handles everything from processing payments to taking orders to inventory tracking.
Additionally, it includes POS features like team management, payroll, marketing, contactless ordering, and handhelds. Toast POS offers a complete set of features for managing and running your bar efficiently.
Not sure why you should use Toast POS to run your bar? Toast POS screens are customizable to fit your business needs. Additionally, their screens are durable enough to withstand everyday drops, scratches, and spills.
Furthermore, with Apple Pay, staff can process payment in less than 10 seconds. What’s more, this great bar POS system features a “Dark mode” which allows you to blend the POS into the background so guests can enjoy their party. Plus, the POS is intuitive, so training your staff in time for happy hours should be a breeze.
Pros
- Fast payment processing
- Customization screens
- Reliable through every rush
- Award-winning customer support
- Strong data reporting
Cons
- Requires contract
- In-house processing only
3. TouchBistro – Best iPad POS System for Bars
TouchBistro provides lightning-fast service because it understands how important that is to the success of your bar. This POS system helps bar owners reduce the manual processes involved with operating a bar, allowing their staff to focus more on customer satisfaction.
This POS system was specifically designed with the beverage and food industry in mind. The TouchBistro POS system runs on iPads, meaning it can be used anywhere iPads can.
This feature makes the TouchBistro POS system a highly mobile and flexible option for your bar business. What’s more, this POS system is easy to use and comes with a variety of POS features that allow you to track inventory, manage your staff, process payments, and other functions.
The TouchBistro POS has a sales dashboard, which is one of the many features we love about this POS system. With this feature, you can access your bar’s daily and weekly revenue in real time.
TouchBistro POS also features a “Reservation tool” which you can use to keep track of who’s coming for dinner, schedule tables accordingly, and treat every guest like they’re a VIP.
Pros
- Fast payment processing
- Integrates with the best-in-class bar inventory software
- Tableside ordering
- User-friendly interface
- Financing available
Cons
- Add-ons increase price
- It may not be user friendly
4. Lightspeed Restaurant – Best for Chargeback Management
Lightspeed Restaurant has tailored plans for bars, restaurants, and even fine dining facilities, so it can assist any business in the hospitality industry in providing exceptional services.
One of the main reasons why we like this brand is that they build their packages with efficiency in mind, especially those for pubs and bars. This POS system has an intuitive menu function that allows staff to access any of the register’s features that they need with just a few taps.
Plus, with just a few taps, you can create multiple menus and assign them to different devices. What’s more, Lightspeed POS makes it easy for bartenders to take orders, open tabs, and process payments.
Furthermore, the flexibility to use any third-party credit card processor is another perk of Lightspeed. Although the system has its own built-in internal payment processor, you can integrate it with a wide range of other credit card processors.
Additionally, the system allows you to integrate other third-party apps and software like loyalty software, delivery software, and order app.
Pros
- Reliable bar management software
- Extensive reporting
- Multi-store capacity
- Easily manage bar tabs
Cons
- The lowest subscription plan is very basic
- It is not customizable
5. Square for Restaurants – Best Budget-Friendly Option
If you are looking for the best POS system for startups and small businesses, Square POS is your best bet. This company provides a feature-rich free plan that includes powerful tools for managing staff and taking orders online.
Plus, there is a wide range of add-on options for when you’re ready to upgrade. With Square for Restaurants, you can efficiently take payments, manage orders, and keep tabs on inventory.
On a different note, this POS system was built with speed in mind. Each tool, from lightning-fast order entry to efficient back-of-house operations, helps your staff move faster.
What’s more, this company offers a variety of innovative POS hardware that allows your team to work much faster. They offer POS hardware like Square POS Terminal, Mobile POS Kit, and an iPad and Square stand. The Square Terminal provides you with a reliable and secure way to process payments and print receipts.
Pros
- Quick service
- Simple setup
- Free POS (best value)
- Affordable POS hardware options
- Free online ordering
- Flexible payments
Cons
- No reservation management
- No pre-auth for bar tabs
How to Choose a Bar POS System
While some POS systems are robust all-round, others may be better suited for the specific requirements of your bar. So, whether you’re in the brewing business or you just want to open up a dive bar, there are certain important factors you need to consider when choosing a bar POS system. They include
Ease of Use
A bar is a type of business that moves fast. Therefore, you’ll need a POS system that can keep up with the fast-paced nature of your business. The best point-of-sale systems feature a simple design that allows even the least tech-savvy employees to quickly learn how to use them.
Thankfully, the POS systems you’ll find in this article have an intuitive interface. These point-of-sale systems remain intuitive and user-friendly even as new features are added.
Business Specialty
Another important factor to consider is “POS features.” When browsing the web for the best mobile POS systems, it’s best to look for POS features that’ll be useful to your business. There are some general POS features that your POS system must have.
The best POS system for bars must be able to split checks, track tips, manage inventory, process payments, and create highly customizable menus. Having these capabilities is what makes a POS system suitable for the unique needs of a bar.
However, if your bar has a concept that is different from others in the industry, you may find targeted POS software to be more beneficial.
Detailed Reporting
Choose a POS system that’ll allow you to collect a lot of data and synthesize it into tables and charts. This feature is essential if you want to be able to make sound business decisions.
If your reporting is up to snuff, you’ll be able to get a clear view of your financial situation and zero in on the smallest of details. Generally, a bar POS system should be able to provide reports on customer buying habits, employee performance, and inventory reporting.
Additionally, your bar POS system should be able to provide you with reports on profit margins and cash flow overall.
Customer Service
A great number of nightclubs and bars operate outside of regular business hours. In addition, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that bars are typically at their busiest on the weekends.
When choosing a bar POS system, be sure that the company offers technical support around the clock. In the event of a system failure during peak hours, you’ll need to be able to easily contact the company’s customer support team.
Reading online reviews is a great way to learn about the quality of the company’s customer service. Also, before making a purchase, it’s a good idea to contact the technical support team and speak to them yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the benefits of using a bar POS system?
A point-of-sale (POS) system is an invaluable tool for any bar owner, and for many different reasons. To begin, it facilitates accurate inventory and sales accounting down to the very last penny.
What’s more, a POS system keeps tabs on which menu items are selling the most, allowing you to adjust your menu to suit customer demands.
Furthermore, modern POS systems provide timely access to all the necessary financial data, including profit-and-loss statements, significantly reducing the amount of time spent on data entry.
Improved security, better customer experience, smooth payment processing, and reduced order errors are some other benefits of using a modern POS system to run your bar
2. How much does a bar POS system cost?
How much you spend on a bar POS largely depends on the services and features you require for your business. Prices range from as little as $30 per month for the most basic systems to well over $100 per month for the most sophisticated ones.
Also, for certain setups, you might have to make a one-time purchase of specialized hardware, which can be quite expensive. When looking into the different bar POS systems available online, it is essential to take into account both your budget and business-specific needs.
3. Who uses bar POS software?
One of the most common types of people in need of reliable POS software is business owners who run bars and restaurants. These users require a reliable and flexible POS system that can handle customer bookings, process payments, and manage seating charts.
Other groups of people that need a versatile POS system include kitchen staff, waiters/waitresses, hosts/hostesses, and back office managers.
Conclusion
If you search online for the “best bar POS systems,” you’ll find that there are a variety of POS systems to choose from. While there are many point-of-sale systems available, not all are suitable for your bar.
The best bar POS systems allow you to split checks, track tips, manage your inventory, and process payments. For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of the five best POS systems in 2023.
As far as bar point-of-sale (POS) systems go, Clover POS is the finest option for nightclubs and bars, in our humble opinion. When it comes to managing a bar, pub, or restaurant, Clover POS has you covered from every angle.
With Clover POS, you can accept payments from customers, schedule and manage your staff, track tips and day-to-day sales, and reduce order errors.
Paul Martinez is the founder of EcomSidekick.com. He is an expert in the areas of finance, real estate, eCommerce, traffic and conversion.
Join him on EcomSidekick.com to learn how to improve your financial life and excel in these areas. Before starting this media site, Paul built from scratch and managed two multi-million dollar companies. One in the real estate sector and one in the eCommerce sector.