10 must-have features of your bar POS system
Bartenders do more than just make drinks. They have to take orders, payments, remember who is who, build relationships with the regulars and still find time to create a cocktail that they’re proud of. These modern-day alchemists need to be jugglers, too.
The best way to help them out is to give them the right tools for the job. Or at least one tool that’ll make their job 99% easier. A bar POS system.
Bar point-of-sale systems help your staff and bartenders focus on what keeps guests coming back for more — great experiences. Give your bartenders the freedom to focus on what they love to do, and let the POS software handle the rest.
Read on for the top features you should look for when upgrading to a POS system designed for bars.
Ten unique features of a bar point-of-sale system
When deciding on a point-of-sale system for your bar, don’t settle on one that doubles as a retail POS. Your bar is not a store… It's a bar. The things you need from a POS aren’t the same as the average shop on the corner.
Here are the 10 must-have features for your bar POS software.
- Keep track of open tabs and tables
- Organise tables and seating areas
- Use guest insights to build relationships
- Automatically track inventory
- Give bartenders freedom to move
- Split checks and tips easily
- Accept contactless and digital payments
- Increase revenue with events and prepaid tickets
- Keep an eye on what’s working (and what’s not)
- Make the booking flow part of the guest experience
1. Keep track of open tabs and tables
With a bar point of sale system, orders are quick and easy to record. No more remembering to write down a drink order and then forgetting to write down the drink order.
A POS system for bars has your busy staff in mind. A few quick taps on the iPad or iPhone and that Negroni made with top-shelf gin is added. And you won’t have to worry about settling up with the same customers at the end of the night. With every order stored in the cloud, any team member or server can access the tab and make sure your bar gets paid.
With Superb’s POS system, keeping track of open tabs and tables is even easier. When guests move from aperitifs at the bar to the terrace for dinner, the system automatically moves the bill from the bar to the table. And back again when they return for a digestif.
That’s the magic of a point-of-sale system designed for bars and restaurants, you can spend your time focusing on the guest experience… not manually adding items to a tab.
2. Organise tables and seating areas
Multiple seating areas? No problem.
The best bar POS systems let you organise your floor plan in minutes, not hours. We know your time is valuable, that’s why our all-in-one platform features drag-and-drop sections that let you quickly design your table plan and change it on the fly.
From the patio to the rooftop bar, guest management and table planning can be a simple, error-free process with the right bar POS system.
3. Use guest insights to build relationships
Guest data is the new shaken or stirred. It’s what turns customers into regulars and what will drive over 95% of your bar’s profits.
With the right bar POS system, you’ll have access to the guests insights and data needed to make them feel welcomed, valued and remembered.
Ever seen Cheers? The 1980s TV show that celebrated the local bar. The one where everyone knew your name.
That’s what Superb’s POS system is all about. Making sure you have the guest data to build relationships with guests.
And it’s more than just storing the name and email address of a customer.
A bar POS system keeps a record of previous orders and average spend. That saves bartenders and servers valuable time when a repeat customer comes in. They’ll know exactly what to make, what upsell options will work, and whether the guest likes it shaken or stirred.
4. Automatically track inventory and control costs
Question. Does your bar rely on bartenders to tell you when you're low on alcohol? If so… there’s a better way.
A bar point-of-sale system keeps track of what’s on the shelf, in the wine cellar, and in the fridge. Every time you pour a drink, inventory is automatically managed. You'll know when you’re low without having to grab the bottle and hope it’s full.
With a way to properly track and monitor inventory and stock, you can finally plan your budget and operating costs better.
Forget overstocking and tossing out food and drink when it goes bad. A bar POS system gives you control over what’s in stock and takes the pressure off your already busy team.
5. Give bartenders freedom to move
Working the bar takes more than a knack for mixology. It takes endurance and speed — especially during busy hours.
Give your bartenders and staff the freedom to move around with a cloud-based EPOS system. With a wifi connection and an iPad, your team can move from the downstairs bar to the upstairs bar, the terrace, the dining room, or the roof.
Having a powerful mobile POS that fits in your pocket means every server can be free to take orders and payments without stopping. And since it's a cloud-based, linked system, any team member can close out a tab.
6. Easily split checks and tips
The guest experience doesn’t end with the last drink. In fact, a bad settling-the-tab experience can quickly erase all of the night’s good vibes.
That’s often the case with large parties that want to split the check. With a mobile, cloud-based bar EPOS system in hand, splitting a check requires tapping a button, not struggling with who had what while guests huddle around a register offering help.
Best of all, it’s accurate.
The same goes for tipping. The easier you make it for guests to leave a tip — and for staff to get their proper share — the better.
At Superb, we know there’s more than one way to tip. That’s why our POS software offers multiple ways to do it, specifically designed for bars and restaurants.
7. Accept all contactless and digital payments
Bartenders have a long list of jobs to do. Sitting in front of a register and waiting for guests to settle their tabs isn’t on that list.
With a bar POS system like in Superb’s all-in-one GXM Pro, you can make taking payments easier for both your team and guests. With a mobile point-of-sale, staff can meet guests where they are and accept any payment in the world — even contactless and digital payments.
Quick, easy, mobile. And what to do with all the time saved? Start building relationships with your guests.
8. Increase revenue with events and prepaid tickets
Want to get more customers in the door? Host bar events to boost your profile and draw in the crowds.
What does a bar POS system have to do with events? You can presell tickets and guarantee revenue in advance. That gives you the freedom to plan, stock up, and even hire staff in advance.
Even if it’s not events, Superb’s POS system offers no-show protection to secure a deposit upfront.
You work hard. Your staff works hard. Your suppliers work hard. With Superb, when you sell prepaid tickets, gift cards or take no-show fees, you’ll always have next-day payouts and no hidden fees.
Take a payment tonight and get paid on the next business day. It’s what you deserve.
9. Keep an eye on what’s working (and what’s not)
With a point-of-sale system for bars, you can uncover trends and revenue-making opportunities through automated reporting for your team, accountants and investors.
Want to know if the patio does more business than the main bar? A bar POS system helps break down everything from total F&B revenue to revenue per guest for any period and any room.
You’ll see where to focus to add value to your offering and how to maximise revenue. We know staffing is an ongoing struggle for bars. Use the data from your bar POS to understand staffing needs to cut back on labour costs.
10. Make the reservation a part of the guest experience
Whether your bar takes online reservations or you’re managing a crowded waiting list of walk-ins, do it all in one place with Superb’s POS software.
Our all-in-one platform combines an advanced reservation management system with a point-of-sale system built for restaurants and bars. It’s one tool that lets you run your entire business.
And we’re not talking about any old reservation system.
You’ve spent hours and hours designing your bar. You’ve created the menu and meticulously selected wines and craft beers that reflect your brand. Your bartenders are true scientists who make magic every night. That’s why we designed a reservation platform to match the vibe and brand of your brand.
Take a look at how Superb’s GXM platform handles bookings for Queen’s Wine Bar & Bistro in Liverpool here.
The guest experience starts from the moment a customer books a seat, prepays for an event ticket, or buys a gift card. You only get one chance to make a killer first impression.
At Superb, we’ve worked with the best bars in the Nordics, Italy and UK to make sure our POS will help your bar serve your guests, build relationships, and maximise revenue.
Want to see how we can help you do the same? Click here for a free demo with a product expert to see these must-have features in action.
You asked — We answered
What does a POS mean in a bar?
POS stands for point-of-sale and refers to the system a bar uses to take orders, manage tabs, split bills, accept payments, keep track of inventory, manage reports, and more.
Superb’s POS system is fully integrated with our advanced reservation system, giving you an all-in-one platform to manage your bar, upsell to guests and turn them into regulars.
How much is a point-of-sale system for a bar?
A good bar point-of-sale (POS) system can quickly fire orders to the kitchen and accept payments. A great bar POS does more… manage inventory, create and process gift cards, track sales and gather guest data in one system.
When choosing a POS system for your bar, look beyond the initial cost and consider what else you’re getting for the money. Ask about 24/7 customer support in your language, tipping, bill splitting, and integrations with accounting and staffing software.
For Superb’s all-in-one platform, click here for pricing.
How can a bar POS system help increase profits?
Your bar can make and save money with a POS system for bars. Here’s how…
- Get paid for every item. Make sure you’re not losing orders scribbled down on a napkin. With a mobile, cloud-based bar EPOS system, it’s easy for servers and bartenders to quickly record every item.
- Protect your bottom line. With prepaid tickets for events and no-show fees, Superb’s all-in-one platform (reservations and POS system combined) helps you protect your bottom line.
- Save time. It’s important to turn tables as efficiently as possible to maximise sales. With a bar POS that fires orders to the kitchen or bar, you’ll save valuable time and improve the accuracy of every order. What do you do with the extra time? Build guest relationships — vital for getting customers to return.
- Track inventory. With a bar POS, you’ll have a better overview of what’s selling and what’s not. And you’ll save time by automating reports that you currently do manually. That’s a savings on time, labour costs and stock.
- Build customer loyalty. From holiday specials to happy hour, set up discounts to give your regulars a reason to keep coming back. Returning customers equal more consistent cash flow.
- Improve accuracy. With a cloud-based bar POS system, you can predetermine pricing for every item on your menu. That makes it less likely for a team member to accidentally input an incorrect amount on a transaction.
How to choose the best bar POS system?
When shopping around for the best bar POS system, go for one that lets you do more and do it quickly.
- Speed is key. The last thing you want is for your bartender(s) trapped behind a screen in a stationary POS terminal when drink orders are coming in.
- Do more. In your quest for the best bar POS system, you’ll come across brands that offer a lot of extras such as access to guest data, gift cards and prepayments. The problem is that the data and upsell potential is hidden behind integrations and other third-party tools and suppliers. Superb’s POS system is part of our all-in-one restaurant management system — you’ll automatically pull insights and data from reservations directly into the POS system and be able to offer gift cards and accept prepayments from day one. No third-party tools or extra layers of integrations to struggle with.
- Easy to use. From mastering the classics to creating new signature cocktails, your bar staff have enough to worry about. Choose a bar point-of-sale system that lets your team take control from the start. Superb’s POS system, like everything we offer, comes backed by a Customer Support team that doubles as product experts. So if a problem does come up, you’ve got a product expert to help you get it resolved, not an intern with a headset.
Home bar ideas are cropping up everywhere, and they are the perfect solution for a small family kitchen, as it takes up far less space than a table and chairs and can double up as somewhere to prepare and present food.
Where to install one depends on the shape and layout of your home, but you could have one built bespoke into your basement ideas, or incorporate a small home bar into your kitchen ideas – there are so many options to consider. Don't forget to fill them with the best cocktail glasses too.
Home bar ideas
The season of entertaining is well and truly upon us, and while the past few years might have not looked the same, now is the time to really rejoice and celebrate the upcoming year.
Our curated selection of the best home bar ideas, from built-in and bespoke solutions to bar carts and freestanding kitchen cabinet ideas, should have all your home bar and bar cart ideas covered.
1. Add an island
(Image credit: Hetherington Newman)
A dedicated drinks area complete with a cocktail bar-inspired island is the last word in luxury when entertaining. ‘An island is a great focal point for guests to gather around, especially if it is curved in shape; it gives the host a clear area to show off their cocktail-making skills and serve drinks while keeping the back bar area free for prep and accessories,’ enthuses Mike Fetherston, design director, Hetherington Newman. ‘An island can also provide useful space for drinks fridges and an ice maker to sit under the bar top, out of sight but close to hand.’
2. Be creative in a small space
(Image credit: Barlow & Barlow)
Forget filling fireplace alcoves with bookshelves, a well-appointed small home bar with dynamic design details is far more exciting. And, with a little imagination, you can achieve great things in a small space. ‘You can have lots of fun with a home bar and create something really playful, sumptuous, and showstopping,’ agrees Lucy Barlow, creative director, Barlow & Barlow.
‘For this period home, we created a pair of very groovy bespoke bar units, which we had hand-painted by Malcolm Scoular in his signature tortoiseshell, then finished with brass countertops and antiqued mirror backing – they look incredible and really bring the party vibes into the house.’
3. Go glam under stairs
(Image credit: TR Studio / Kalina Krawczyk)
Utilizing under-stair space for a stylishly appointed bar is much more rewarding than stuffing it with coats and shoes, and guests will be far more appreciative come party season! ‘A bespoke solution is key to ensuring a perfect fit and harnessing all the space available,’ says Tom Rutt, director, TR Studio.
‘Follow the rise of the staircase to gain as much height as possible and consider adding a contrasting timber or color to distinguish it from the staircase. A touch of brass or reflective material can also add glamour and elevate it from an awkward space to one to be enjoyed.’
4. Connect rooms
(Image credit: Neptune)
Make an open-plan kitchen even more sociable by including a stylish built-in bar between the cooking and living areas. Located within the island unit, or peninsula, a well-appointed bar can lure guests safely away from the business end of the kitchen, while ensuring conversation flows.
‘A kitchen island or peninsula is an excellent place to add a bar – whether below the counter with open shelving and a wine fridge, or with countertop cabinetry to really show off your gin collection,’ agrees George Miller, designer, Neptune Fulham. Use mirrored glass to lend extra glamor; here the full-length mirror on either side draws all eyes to the bar.
5. Think outside the box
(Image credit: ND Studios / Helen Cathcart)
This home bar located in the dining room of a London townhouse makes the most of a narrow alcove. ‘A carefully executed bar can make a virtue of the smallest niche. Clients often say that clever, hidden storage solutions, like the pull-out ‘table’ we included here, become their favorite features,’ says Natascha Dartnall, director, ND Studios. It’s a small detail, but the leather-topped pull-out takes it from being solely about bottle storage to a practical serving area. ‘The cabinet below takes care of the other barware and accessories that can make small bars look messy very quickly,’ adds Natascha.
6. Get mixers on demand
(Image credit: Eggersmann Design)
If your home bar isn’t within easy reach of the kitchen sink, consider incorporating a boiling water tap. Far faster to heat than a regular kettle, boiling water taps are also more energy efficient and make light work of serving hot beverages.
‘This tap also delivers chilled sparkling water, which is perfect for making cocktails and long drinks, and also relieves pressure on the fridge,’ says Gary Singer, creative director, Eggersmann Design. While you don’t need a large sink to support a boiling tap, a small prep sink will prove handy for rinsing glassware and disposing of dregs.
7. Include appliances
(Image credit: Ledbury Studio)
If you are going to dedicate space to a home bar, don’t skimp on the functional details. ‘A wine cabinet should be factored in so that your favorite tipple is kept at optimum temperature,’ says Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio. Add a second wine cabinet for storing juices and other soft drinks to free up space in your main kitchen fridge. ‘If space allows, you could also squeeze in a dishwasher so you don’t have to cart glassware to and from the kitchen,’ adds Charlie. ‘Do check the dB levels to ensure a running dishwasher won’t drown out conversation.’
8. Introduce a home bar in the dining room
(Image credit: Mary Wadsworth)
‘Introducing a home bar area within your dining room ideas not only creates the perfect opportunity for after dinner drinks, but on a more practical level it adds useful storage to conceal the less decorative and more habitually used tableware and practical accessories,’ says Clara Ewart, head of design at Kitesgrove.
‘Painting the joinery in the same color as the walls creates a sleek and minimalist look, one that does not distract the eye away from the design of the rest of the space,’ she adds. Opting for a dark and moody color, such as the rich blue shade used here, results in an impactful and contrasting backdrop for favorite glassware or serveware or a collection of decorative objects.
9. Impress with a fully-stocked bar
(Image credit: Kate Martin / Peter Mikic)
Using luxe materials and an atmospheric palette, interior design Peter Mikic has delivered a dramatic dining room complete with dance floor. This space is in the basement of a house in Notting Hill. It has no windows so the decorative approach from the start was to work on the atmosphere, making the room wonderfully dark and moody. Fundamental to its success was getting the lighting scheme spot on. Here, a big source of light is from the bar that glows at night – it makes everyone in the room look wonderful.
‘The bar was my own design and has a slight 1970s twist,’ says Peter Mikic. ‘The bottom half is made of fumed eucalyptus and the top has glass shelves with brass trims backed by antique mirror.’
‘We wanted the room to be dual-purpose. The owners can sit 14 people down to dinner and, after that’s finished, the table can be split into three and lowered to cocktail level using a hydraulic system, leaving room for dancing.’
10. Keep your home bar behind closed doors
(Image credit: Martin Moore)
The bar is neatly concealed behind tall bi-fold doors in the sitting area. We love the element of surprise when the doors are opened to reveal the beautiful interior, complete with glassware, drawers and wine cooler. Using glass shelves and a mirror ensures everything glistens and sparkles. Even the shelf supports are mostly glass – they virtually disappear to create a floating shelf effect.
11. Invest in a stylish freestanding cabinet
(Image credit: Future)
While fitted cabinets are unlikely to ever go out of style, there has been a gradual move towards more relaxed-looking spaces that incorporate freestanding elements.
‘The addition of any freestanding piece is an opportunity to add texture and variety as a counterpoint to fitted cupboards, be they vintage, antique or very crisp and modern; all add interest and personality,' says Merlin Wright, design director, Plain English.
Here, a well-stocked and organized home bar lends a real sense of occasion. Simply repurpose an existing cabinet so that a choice of drinks, assorted glasses and all the accoutrements are close to hand for guests to help themselves.
12. Dedicate a space for a bespoke home bar
(Image credit: Future)
In a busy kitchen or kitchen-diner used for entertaining, it makes sense to create an area for making drinks away from the main cooking zone to avoid tripping over each other.
A breakfast bar cupboard or coffee station that can double up as a home bar is also useful, as it can be used to store all the things you need in one place, including glassware, a sink area and wine bottles. Here, a combination of bespoke shelving and drawers, positioned at different heights, allow you to store, see and reach different things with ease.
13. Install a restaurant-worthy bar at home
(Image credit: Future)
If you are looking for luxury home bar ideas you will be pleased to know that they can be built in just about any home. The best way to achieve this is by constructing yours from natural materials, such as exotic stone – whether real or lookalikes – matched with shapely bar stools and a trio of glass pendant lights. You'll wonder why you never had a special spot for entertaining – or breakfast – before.
14. Put it on display
(Image credit: Future)
Kitchen shelving ideas for your home bar – whether open shelving or hidden within a cupboard or behind pocket doors – are a great option if you are the proud owner of an impressive glassware collection, or are a keen entertainer who appreciates having ingredients close at hand.
Having everything on display, however, is not for the those of us with very little time to tidy as it requires a certain amount of dedication to keep bar shelves looking smart and uncluttered.
It’s best to mount open shelving just above eye level and within easy reach if you intend for the shelves to hold breakable items. For a stylized look, stack collections of your favorite glassware, crockery, line up fresh herbs and incorporate small pieces of art along a run of open shelving.
15. Create a niche in a small space
(Image credit: Future)
Anyone looking for small home bar ideas will be relieved to know that a dedicated home bar can be super stylish even if you only have limited space.
A home bar – kept hidden behind closed doors – is particularly useful in a small kitchen or dining room, as it can be used to store all the things you need in one place, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be pretty. Use metal backsplash ideas to create a space that is truly dazzling.
‘A metallic-effect tiled backsplash is the perfect backdrop for a small home bar that has been neatly tucked away behind closed doors,’ says Camille Syren, Chef de Projets, La Cornue. ‘Porcelain tiles are a low-maintenance choice for the backsplash since they are easy to keep clean and don't require sealing.’
What's more, metallic-effect porcelain tiles come in incredibly realistic designs with full-body glazes that convincingly emulate the shimmer and shine of real metals.
16. Invest in a show-stopping design
(Image credit: Kate Martin)
Remodeling a kitchen or expanding your basement ideas to include a dedicated home bar is one of the top projects in brand-new homes. This is because a generous home bar is now the epicentre for modern home life and a hub for entertaining and more.
Charlie Kingham, director of Charlie Kingham Cabinetmakers, lists the main benefits of taking steps to creating a bar area at home: ‘Firstly, your space will become a more sociable space. Secondly, you can improve light-levels, traffic flow and overall comfort so that entertaining is more pleasurable. And thirdly, done beautifully, you should see a return on investment, if not profit, when it comes to your property’s value.’
If you love entertaining, a basement conversion can offer a whole extra floor of space within your home’s existing footprint and is perfectly placed for a generous bar or diner that opens out onto the backyard.
17. Take a tropical approach for a garden bar
(Image credit: Future)
Garden bar ideas have grown in popularity as our backyards become extensions of our homes. Increasing the usage and comfort of outdoor space is now a vital part of garden design plans. The ultimate entertainment station, a home bar will become an enjoyable al fresco hub for your family and guests to come together and appreciate all year round.
Build an architectural structure to add wow factor for your guests. While it may not be the most budget-friendly when it comes to outdoor kitchen costs, a garden room is an attractive solution, adding height and throwing linear shadows into space.
How do I create a home bar?
Finding the right home bar ideas is pivotal to creating a space that will excite and entertain you and your family for years to come.
'Start by considering the style and feel you want for your home bar and entertainment space. Think about how it might relate not just to the kitchen, living room and dining areas, especially if it is part of an open-plan space, but how it also fits with your overall plan for the house,' advises designer Tiffany Duggan of interior design agency Studio Duggan.
'Gather pictures of home bars that inspire you and start to hone your ideas, thinking about how they might suit your space, the joinery elsewhere in your home and the period of your property.'
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