There are a lot of factors that contribute to running a successful nightclub or bar, and a good POS system is definitely one of them. Within your business, you’ll encounter a wide range of customers who all have different payment preferences. A good point-of-sale (POS) system can streamline all variables within your finances to make your bookkeeping simpler. To make your choice in finding the right POS system as easy as possible, we have compiled a list of the best options available today.
Top 8 Best Nightclub POS Systems
- Square – Best Nightclub POS System for Short-Term Contracts
- Lightspeed – Best Nightclub POS System for Affordability
- Toast – Best Nightclub POS System for Pay-as-You-Go Plans
- Revel Systems – Best Nightclub POS System for Event Venues
- Upserve – Best Nightclub POS System for Flexible Hardware
- TouchBistro – Best Nightclub POS System for Low-Key Nightclubs
- ShopKeep – Best Nightclub POS System for Quick-Service Businesses
- AccuPOS – Best Nightclub POS System for CRM Tools
1. Square – Best Nightclub POS System for Short-Term Contracts
PRICING: Free Plan Available, Hardware Cost – $169-$1,818, Processing Fee – $2.6% minimum
Square, a widely used POS software for bars and restaurants alike, operates on iPads. The system is extremely simple to set up and offers a plan with short-term contracts, unlike many other POS providers. Their variable pricing plans makes it ideal for smaller nightclubs, or businesses that are planning to grow at their own pace without having to worry about software overhead.
KEY FEATURES:
- Square Terminal
- Inventory Management
- Bar Integrations (Bevspot, Digital Pour)
- Ecommerce
REASONS TO BUY:
- Great for smaller operations who don’t want long-term commitment
- Works well for seasonal bars/nightclubs
REASONS TO AVOID:
- No credit card pre-authorization support
2. Lightspeed – Best Nightclub POS System for Affordability
PRICING: Free Trial Available, First Terminal Cost – $59/month, Each Additional Terminal – $34/month
This is a cloud-based system that includes tools for inventory, loyalty, advanced reporting, employee management, and more. The program integrates extremely well with hotel management software, allowing users to integrate room charges into payments. As the system is cloud-based, it can integrate well with existing software, and the free trial allows managers and nightclub owners to make sure it’s a good fit before committing to a long-term plan.
KEY FEATURES:
- Table Mapping
- Menu Management
- Online Ordering
- Multiple 3rd Party Integrations
REASONS TO BUY:
- Pairs well with majority of hotel management software
- Ecommerce capabilities
- Try out flexible hardware with free trial
REASONS TO AVOID:
- No mobile reporting application
3. Toast – Best Nightclub POS System for Pay-as-You-Go Plans
PRICING: Pay-as-You-Go Custom Quote, Hardware Cost – $0-$799, 2.49% Transaction Fees
In usability and functionality, Toast is often compared to Square. The platform’s interface is easy to navigate and quick to set up. It has some great integrations with bar-support software and general restaurant software. Toast is an advanced network system and with the tablet hardware you will be able to operate both on and offline seamlessly.
KEY FEATURES:
- Credit Card Pre-Authorization
- Cash Management
- Mobile Support
REASONS TO BUY:
- Toast offers inhouse financing
- Create custom alert messages for your team
- Marketing tools for live music, theme nights, and drink specials
REASONS TO AVOID:
- There is a two-year contract requirement
- Can’t use your own hardware
4. Revel Systems – Best Nightclub POS System for Event Venues
PRICING: Hardware – By Custom Quote, Installation – $674/One-Time, Terminal Fee – $99/month
This system revolves primarily around iPad, which is convenient if your business (like many) already relies on iPads for hardware. It offers excellent offline capabilities and Revel also supports retail and restaurants; they have everything you would need to run event venues. Some important features include ticket sales, merchandise, and of course food and beverages.
KEY FEATURES:
- Digital Menu Boards
- Advanced Security Integration
- High Till Alerts
- Data Insights
REASONS TO BUY:
- Robust inventory capabilities to help manage all aspects of events
- Employee scheduling and time management included
- Flexible payment processing options so you can minimize fees
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Pricier than many other options and requires a three-year long contract
5. Upserve – Best Nightclub POS System for Flexible Hardware
PRICING: Software Subscription Base fee – $59/month, Hardware – $1,350/terminal
This POS System is powered by Lightspeed, and offers many of the same features. Upserve’s hardware is sleek and comes with dark screen modes so there’s no absurd light in your discreet nightclub. The flexible aspect of Upserve comes through in their support of iOS and Android, so you can have your choice in hardware. The software is known for its ease of use and mobile smartphone reporting app.
KEY FEATURES:
- Staff Performance Reports
- Recipe Lookup (great for cocktail bars)
- Advanced Inventory Management Tools
REASONS TO BUY:
- Base pricing comes with marketing and staff scheduling tools
- Inventory and Recipe tools make job easier on bartenders and managers
- Workforce management included (scheduling, clocking in, etc)
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Lack of payment processing options, locked into Upserve Payments
6. TouchBistro – Best Nightclub POS System for Low-Key Nightclubs
PRICING: Software Subscription Fee – $69/terminal/month, Hardware Cost – By Quote Only
Another POS system that is designed for smaller businesses, TouchBistro can be self-installed and easy to operate. It includes basic inventory tracking in real time and employee scheduling features. The inventory feature is best at tracking singular items such as bottles, glasses of wine, cans, etc. This is an aspect that makes it ideal not only for nightclubs, but for breweries and wine bars too.
KEY FEATURES:
- Multiple Inventory Management Options
- Mobile App Reporting
- Swipe Open Bar Tabs
REASONS TO BUY:
- Wide array of payment options accepted
- iOS-based system
- Affordable price allows you to operate on even the lowest margins
REASONS TO AVOID:
- No physical inventory counting tools or vendor management
7. ShopKeep – Best Nightclub POS System for Quick-Service Businesses
PRICING: Software Subscription – By Quote Only, Terminal – $69/month
This is a POS system that is built for small to medium sized businesses with a focus on quick service. While this platform isn’t industry specific, it still offers robust features and capabilities for the right sized businesses.
KEY FEATURES:
- Employee Permission Management
- Tab Management
- Split Bill Functionality
- Inventory Management
REASONS TO BUY:
- Free Plan that is ideal for event catering/one-two man teams
- For part time clubs processing less than $5,000 per month, only one terminal is required
- POS system is compatible with Clover devices
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Inventory management is likely not enough for large-scale operations
8. AccuPOS – Best Nightclub POS System for CRM Tools
PRICING: Software Subscription – $64/month, POS station – $795/one time purchase
AccuPOS offers a system that is highly adaptable and efficient. It meets many of a business’s needs beyond basic point-of-sale requirements. It is compatible with all major phones, tablets, computers, and touchscreen TVs, which makes it easily integrated with your existing hardware. The software interface is award winning because of its simplicity and how quickly it can be put to use across a wide range of industries.
KEY FEATURES:
- Customer Accounts
- Delivery Management
- Built-in Accounting and CRM
- Tips management
- Split Check
REASONS TO BUY:
- Very responsive software development team
- Secure and Affordable
- Best suited to large-scale operations
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Setup can be difficult and may require assistance
References and Links:
- https://www.lightspeedhq.com/
- https://pos.toasttab.com/
- https://revelsystems.com/
- https://upserve.com/
- https://squareup.com/us/en
- https://www.touchbistro.com/
- https://www.lightspeedhq.com/shopkeep/
- https://www.accupos.com/