A POS system is a computerized system used to streamline the transactions made in a retail setting. By using a POS system, businesses can more easily track inventory, manage customer data, and process sales. For bars, POS systems can be used to keep track of drink orders, tabulate bills, and track patron spending. Additionally, some POS systems come with features that can help bars manage their liquor inventory and track sales data.

When choosing a POS system for a bar, it is important to consider the specific needs of the business. For example, if a bar plans to offer table service, then it will need a POS system that includes table management capabilities. Additionally, if a bar wants to track liquor inventory, then it will need to choose a POS system that includes liquor inventory management features.

There are many different POS systems on the market, and the best one for a bar will depend on the specific needs of the business. However, all POS systems can help bars streamline transactions, track data, and manage their businesses more effectively.

Top 6 Best Pos Systems for Bars

  1. Square – Best overall
  2. Revel – Best for large businesses
  3. TouchBistro – Best for simplicity and ease of use
  4. Toast – Best for employee management
  5. Lightspeed – Best for customizability

1. Square – Best overall

PRICING: 30-day free trial available. Starts at $60/month with free plan available.

Square is a digital payment processing solution that allows bar owners to accept credit and debit card payments from their customers. The service provides a secure, easy-to-use platform for processing transactions and offers competitive rates for businesses of all sizes. Square also offers several features that can help streamline operations and reduce costs, such as its built-in loyalty program and ability to track sales and inventory in real-time. Its free plan is perfect for small businesses just getting started with card payments. Square is the perfect solution for bars that want to accept credit and debit cards and take advantage of the many features it has to offer.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Free online ordering website
  • Happy hour pricing
  • Team management including time tracking
  • Open checks functionality
  • Customizable
  • Basic reporting
  • Basic inventory management
  • Conversational ordering
  • Tons of integrations with third-party apps

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Free plans available. Paid plans are affordable
  • Free online ordering website

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • No pre-authorization for bar tabs

2. Revel – Best for large businesses

PRICING: Starts at $99/month/per terminal with a $674 onboarding fee

Revel is a point-of-sale system that helps businesses streamline their operations and boost sales. It offers features like inventory management, customer management, delivery management, and sales reporting. Revel also has a mobile app that allows businesses to take orders and payments on the go.

Revel is a great POS system for enterprise-size businesses. It is easy to use and offers a wide range of features that can help businesses boost sales and streamline their operations.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Conversational ordering
  • Easily and quickly create discounts in real-time
  • Mobile orders
  • In-house delivery that tracks driver locations with customer updates on their order status
  • Self-service capacities
  • Advanced inventory management with Revel’s StockTake app
  • Employee management
  • Advanced analytics and reporting

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Vast number of features
  • Extremely customizable
  • Perfect for enterprise level businesses
  • Nice interface

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Expensive for small businesses
  • Long-term contracts may be inevitable

3. TouchBistro – Best for simplicity and ease of use

PRICING: Starts at $69/month

TouchBistro is an iPad POS system for restaurants, bars, and cafes. It offers features such as inventory management, sales reporting, and table layout. With TouchBistro, you can manage your business from anywhere at any time. It’s easy to use and offers a variety of features to help you run your business smoothly.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Employee management including time tracking and labor reports
  • Barcode scanner
  • Upsell pop-ups for promotion
  • Analytics on best selling liquors and best up-sellers in the staff
  • Basic inventory management with a low inventory warning
  • Floor plan and table management
  • Menu management
  • Tableside ordering
  • Integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, Bevchek, Square, and more

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Simple and easy to use
  • Uncluttered interface

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Inventory management system is okay

4. Toast – Best for employee management

PRICING: Starts at $165/month with a free plan available.

Toast is a cloud-based point of sale (POS) system designed for restaurants of all types and sizes. Toast offers an all-in-one solution that includes a POS system, payment processing, restaurant management tools, and guest engagement features. With Toast, you can streamline your operations, improve your guests’ experience, and boost your bottom line.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Employee retention tools including a tips manager, payout, and pay card
  • Advanced employee management tools including shift scheduling, reporting, payroll, and employee benefits
  • Mobile POS for tableside payments
  • Advanced reporting on cost of goods sold, menu, KDS, and more
  • Menu management with customizations options that allows for specials, happy hour, and location-based menus
  • Several online ordering options (in-house, third-party integrations, mobile app, self-serve, and more)
  • Loyalty program

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Advanced features
  • Pre-authorization for tabs

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Must sign two-year contract

5. Lightspeed – Best for customizability

PRICING: Plans start at $39/month.

Lightspeed is a point-of-sale (POS) system that helps businesses streamline their operations. Lightspeed offers a variety of features that can fit a wide range of business needs. It offers features such as inventory management, customer tracking, and sales reporting. Additionally, their delivery module is extremely advanced, making it a great choice for businesses that rely on delivery. Lightspeed’s scalability is also impressive, making it a good choice for businesses that are growing quickly.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Quick training mode for new hires
  • Advanced delivery system, powered by Deliverect (works with in-hours deliveries and apps like Ubereats, doordash, and more)
  • Inventory management
  • PMS Integration
  • Customer Facing Display
  • Advanced Insights on guests, menu, and more
  • Integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero
  • Loyalty rewards program

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Incredibly advanced reporting
  • Nearly everything is customizable, making it perfect to suit any business’s needs
  • Delivery option is one of the best

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Add-ons can become expensive

References:

  • https://squareup.com/us/en/point-of-sale/restaurants
  • https://revelsystems.com/
  • https://www.touchbistro.com/
  • https://pos.toasttab.com/
  • https://www.lightspeedhq.com/pos/restaurant/