Best POS Systems for Bars: Features and Pricing

Bar operations differ from other types of food service. That is why you need a point-of-sale (POS) system that does more than just process payments; it also supports the demanding bar operations.

There are several POS systems for bars, which makes choosing the right one tricky. 

That is why it pays to know the features that foster scalability, long-term growth, flexibility, and even the ability to connect to an online menu ordering system to enhance customer experience and keep up in the competitive industry.

To help you choose the best POS system, keep reading this article.

What is a POS system for bars?

A point-of-sale (POS) system for bars is a  restaurant technology that is used to optimize both back-of-house and front-of-house operations.

Unlike a standard cash register, this cloud-based terminal has comprehensive hardware and software solutions that are built for fast-paced environments in bars where staff need to process customers' orders quickly, fast-track sales, track alcohol inventory, and process payments efficiently.

It may also support table and floor management to easily monitor table occupancy and reservations. 

And to help managers execute effective marketing strategies, the POS system provides access to real-time data such as daily revenue, best-selling items, and customer purchasing patterns. 

How does a bar POS work?

First, when a customer buys a food or drink, staff will enter the item into the POS system using a tablet, touchscreen monitor, or even a smartphone to calculate all the items. 

Second, the system calculates the price of the items. 

Third, customers will pay for the item, either with cash, a gift card, or loyalty points. 

Finally, when a payment is completed, a digital or printed receipt is created. 

The system automatically sends the order details to the bar station or kitchen for preparation and updates the inventory count, indicating an item has been sold.

7  POS systems for bars and restaurants

If you’re looking for a POS system for your business, we've listed some together with their key features and price details.

1. Loyverse

Loyverse is one of the leading POS systems. It can turn your tablet and smartphone into an easy-to-use POS and connect to a receipt printer and barcode scanner. 

Its features are optimized for sales and inventory management. It has accessible sales reports to view the complete sales history, determine best-selling items and categories, and track sales trends. So no need to worry if you manage multiple stores; they have tools to help you with that.

In addition, you can build your customer base, track customer preferences, and run a loyalty program to reward regular customers with its CRM and loyalty program.

You would not need to worry when disconnected from the internet because Loyverse allows you to keep recording sales even when offline.

Also, Loyverse integration is available for QR-powered digital menus to streamline order management. 

Key Features:

• Multiple payment methods
• Manage multiple stores in one account
• Printed or electronic receipts
• Employee management
• Inventory management
• Sales analytics
• CRM and loyalty program
• 24/7 live chat support

Pricing:

• Loyverse POS – Free
• Loyverse Dashboard – Free
• Loyverse kitchen Display – Free
• Loyverse Customer Display – Free

Add-ons

• Unlimited sales history – $5 per month ($50/year)  per store
• Employee management – $5 per month ($50/year) per employee
• Advanced inventory – $25 per month ($250/year) per store

Note: You have 2 months free if you pay annually

Free plan: Yes

Free trial: Yes

2. Aloha Cloud POS

This is an intuitive POS software for bars and restaurants that offers services to help customers have an amazing experience.

They have multiple payment options for customers, whether in cash or online. With its user-friendly interface, diners can easily navigate the menu for an easy ordering process.

For the back-of-house, orders will be received in the kitchen using printers or kitchen display system monitors. 

Additionally, you can manage your restaurant or bar with its clear data and insights to make data-driven decisions.

Key Features:

• Easy-to-use POS
• Online ordering
• Access reports
• Manage multiple locations
• Easy menu management
• Multiple payment options
• Manage order flow for pickup, in-house delivery, and third-party delivery.

Pricing: $175 per month per terminal 

Free plan: No

Free trial: No

3. Epos Now

For bars that want to have detailed reports on their performance, Epos Now can give you in-depth data for item sales, promotions, and discounts.

The good thing about Epos Now is that it gives operators the option to pay upfront for the whole system, including hardware and software. 

However, their solution does not support menu creation. Businesses can neither create a menu nor upload an image to their existing menu. 

They offer paid customer support and no knowledge base. They also do not have a kiosk option or CRM.

Key Features:

• Training mode
• Sales report
• Kitchen display system
• iPad-based solutions

Pricing: 

• Starts at $39 per month (with transaction fees)
• $349 for a full hardware system

Free plan: No

Free trial: Yes

4. SumUp

SumUp is a POS system for bars and restaurants that provides tools to help businesses have faster operations during the busy hours. 

Aside from its simple interface, it also has a training mode available, which is ideal for new POS users, especially for training staff.   

It also has table management and floor plan features for easy tracking of customers' orders.

This is ideal for bars that are on a budget because of its customer-friendly price. For $99 a month, you can enjoy its hardware and software package.

Key Features:

• Multi-store support
• Payment options like cards, PayPal, and cash
• Sales analytics tool
• Track inventory
• Employee management tools

Pricing:

Connect Lite: $99 per month with an additional 2.6% for transaction fees + 10¢ card payments.

Connect Plus: $199 per month with an additional 2.6% for transaction fees + 10¢ card payments.

Connect Pro: $289 per month with an additional 2.6% for transaction fees + 10¢ card payments.

Free plan: No

Free trial: Yes

5. Harbortouch

Harbortouch is an all-in-one POS system designed for restaurants to help you manage all orders from one place. 

It offers custom menus, loyalty programs, tableside ordering, pay at the table, and dynamic pricing.

Their technology can also aid in reducing times and maximizing profits. Their hardware was built for high performance and speed to ensure smooth operations.

They provide 24/7 technical support and customer service.

Key Features:

Reservation management

Tableside ordering

Loyalty programs

Custom menu

Seating management

Software integrations

Analytics and reporting

Contactless solution (QR code)

Pricing: 

No upfront cost for the POS hardware; starts at $29.9 per month.

Free plan: No

Free trial: No 

6. Lavu

Lavu is a simple and easy-to-set-up restaurant management POS system, so you can proceed to customizing your menu.

It also offers detailed reports to support you in making informed decisions. Plus, 24/7 customer support to help you along the way.

Payment rates may not be transparent, with additional costs for add-ons. And once you have subscribed, you cannot cancel it before the term ends.

Key Features: 

• iPad POS systems
• Menu customization
• Add-on integration
• Menu performance tracking
• Customizable POS platform

Pricing: starts at $59 per month

Free plan: No

Free trial: No

7. Cake POS

Cake POS is designed to provide a better customer experience with its useful features. 

It has online ordering, tableside ordering, and self-service ordering; guests can customize their orders without the staff having to wait as they decide what to order.

They also have intuitive software that allows servers to enter orders easily. Cake POS requires a 2-year contract, so make sure it's the right POS for your bar or restaurant.

Key Features:

• Contactless payments
• Tableside ordering
• Business reports
• Menu management
• Third-party delivery service
• 24/7 customer support

Pricing: 

• Essentials: $69 per month
• Plus: $125 per month
• Pro: $295 per month

Free plan: No

Free trial: Yes

Why you should have a QR code restaurant ordering system that integrates with POS

Having a  restaurant POS system to facilitate smooth daily operations is just one thing; you can do more if you connect your existing digital menu to your POS.

Here are some of the advantages of this synchronization:

Customize your menu

The menu is the star in any food business, and what you include affects your profitability and customers' impressions of you.

With sales report data—featuring the popular and least selling items—you can tailor your menu to customers' preferences for better menu management to encourage more purchases.

A POS system that can be integrated into an existing digital menu makes it easier to let customers customize their order by choosing modifiers and allows them to provide instructions about their order (e.g., “no pepper” and “add cheese”).

Meanwhile, on the admin side, you can highlight the “bestsellers”  or offer a list of time-limited menu items on special events like “Happy hour specials,” for instance, which you can edit in just a few minutes. 

You can keep your menu up-to-date by offering seasonal dishes, limited-time offers, and new dishes to encourage repeat customers.

Data-driven marketing strategy

Another advantage of restaurant technology, like a POS system, is its ability to collect customer data, like purchases, spending patterns, and feedback, which can help you create a strategic marketing strategy to boost your profit.

You can use the data to determine the best-selling and least popular items, which can help you in upselling and cross-selling, like creating combo meals using popular items and high-profit-margin items.

Furthermore, it can aid in implementing targeted promotions effectively. For example, you can have themed promotions during downtimes like “Whiskey Wednesday” or “Nacho Thursday.”

Aside from that, running a restaurant loyalty program is a cost-effective addition. You’ll get to track your customer repeat visits automatically and provide rewards without going through bulk ledgers.

Improve the online marketing campaign.

A bar and restaurant POS data system that provides insights into customer preferences and buying trends can help you make personalized marketing campaigns.

You can create social media promotions for trending products online, personalized campaigns through email, or SMS. 

For a digital marketing strategy, create targeted advertisements on different platforms that are more likely to attract a wide range of customers and increase brand awareness. 

Enhance guest experience. 

Technologies like QR code restaurant ordering that integrate with POS allow you to have not only transaction data but also access to customers' experience feedback data. 

Their feedback can serve as your compass in strategizing the next step to enhance customers’ experience by improving overall service quality.

Undoubtedly, it allows you to not lose your loyal customers and will likely increase average order value and encourage more visits.

Faster turnover rate

Customers no longer need to stand in long queues to place orders and make payments. This means it reduces the likelihood of frustration from waiting for a long time to place orders. 

They can do it directly from their phones, and it will directly appear in real-time in the dashboard for efficient kitchen management. 

In addition, it reduces order mistakes because customers themselves can customize their orders by choosing modifiers, add-ons, and sides at their own pace.

This is more efficient during peak hours, which affects how fast the table turns.

Choose the right POS for your bar

The best POS system is the one that will support staff when operations get hectic. It should help with problems like slow order and payment processing, inventory gaps, order mistakes, slow service during peak hours, incorrect billing, and others.

Therefore, choose a POS solution that can address your daily operational challenges; it should be fast, reliable, flexible, and easy to use. 

And if you have a POS that integrates with an online menu ordering system, it is beneficial to help speed up the ordering process and improve accuracy since transactions are synchronized automatically through one centralized system. 

This is more efficient to keep up with the fast-paced operations and provide a better dining experience.

FAQs