7 Best Pub POS Systems To Thrive In 2022

Get Started with Square For Restaurants POS

Pros

No long-term contract
Free & affordable plans
Free online ordering website

Cons

No after-hours support on free plan
No pre-auth for bar tabs

Square For Restaurants Bar POS System Features

Square for Restaurants is a scalable, affordable bar POS whose standout features include:

Free online ordering website: Sell food and alcohol online with free pickup, $0.50 in-house delivery, or $1.50 DoorDash delivery
Square KDS: Free with Square For Restaurants Plus or can be purchased standalone without POS for $20/device—useful for ghost kitchens without brick-and-mortar premises
Happy hour pricing: Square makes it easy to set up automatic discounts that apply to certain items at certain times and days of the week
Team management: Even at the free plan, SFR includes basic team management features, including time tracking and clock-in/out
Dark mode: The optional dark mode is ideal for bars and nightclubs (not available on Square Register)
Open checks: SFR includes open check functionality on the free plan, and the ability to reopen and edit closed checks on paid plans (however, there is no pre-auth function)
Conversational modifiers: Modifiers like “on the rocks” allow for fast, easy drink orders
Basic inventory management: The free plan includes useful inventory tools like auto-86ing and item counts
Basic reporting: Includes kitchen performance reports and service charge reporting on the free plan, with more advanced reports like category rollup reporting and section sales reports available on paid plans
Many add-ons & integrations: Square has add-ons for marketing, loyalty, payroll, and more, as well as many third-party software integrations for bars and pubs, including delivery app integrations

Serve cocktails to go with your Square online ordering website.

Hardware Cost

Complete hardware kits sold by Square range from $639 for a Square Stand for iPad with a cash register and receipt printer, to a $1,339 Square Stand Restaurant Station with a Square Terminal for tableside payments. Square for Restaurants can also run on the proprietary all-in-one Square Register, which retails for $799 (does not include cash register).

Monthly Software Cost

Square For Restaurants has two pricing options: a limited Free plan and a $60/month (+$40/month for each additional register). Plus plan that comes with all the features, including Square KDS.

Payment Processing

Payment processing is provided by Square Payments and costs 2.6% + $0.10 for all in-person transactions.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Square contracts are all month-to-month. Square hardware is sold upfront and while you can opt for no-interest financing to pay for it over time, there are no leases or other funny business.

Where Square For Restaurants Really Shines For Bars

This iPad POS really shines in terms of how much functionality this pub POS offers for its price—free for pubs with basic needs. While it doesn’t have every feature under the sun, Square for Restaurants offers many useful bar-centric features. Drink modifiers (neat, shaken, stirred, dry, dirty, etc.) can be grouped with different menu items. They will automatically appear, so servers can see precisely how to prepare any drink. You can also use the modifiers to customize drinks. There’s an option to switch to dark mode to fit in well with low-light bar settings. Menu management lets you switch between different menus for different parts of the day, such as during happy hour.

On the back end, Square is super easy to learn and start using, making it a breeze to train new hires on. Employee permissions allow you to assign roles to your team (such as servers or managers) and choose their access level. This function also gives every employee their own passcode so that you can track the sales activities of each server. The reporting suite shows you how each employee, liquor, and drink performs so that you can plan accordingly.

2. Toast: Best Employee Management

Toast POS

Get Started with Toast POS

Pros

Android-based
Advanced features
Excellent customer service

Cons

Locked into Toast processing
2-year contract

Toast Bar POS System Features

Toast POS has a strong bar game with these features:

Multiple digital ordering options: Useful for full-service establishments that serve food in addition to alcohol, these options include online ordering, Toast Takeout mobile ordering app, in-house delivery, third-party delivery app integrations, an option for customers to order and pay at the table (from customer’s own phone), self-ordering kiosks, and others
Pre-authorization: Needed for pubs that let customers run a tab
Advanced employee management: Some options include shift scheduling, shift reporting, payroll, and employee benefits.
Employee retention tools: Toast now offers Toast Tips Manager, Toast Pay Card, and PayOut, all aimed at improving your employee experience to reduce turnover
Mobile POS hardware: WIth proprietary Toast Go mobile POS device for tableside payments
Advanced reporting: Reporting suite includes variance reports, COGS reports, shift reports, KDS reports, menu reports, and many others
Flexible menu management: Lets you set automatic happy hour prices, add specials on the fly, and 86 menu items with a tap. Includes multi-location menu management
Excellent support: Highly rated, 24/7 phone support
Credit card-linked loyalty program: Eliminates the need for a separate loyalty card or app
Numerous integrations: Includes in-house add-ons and third-party software integrations to meet any bar or pub need, from marketing to keg management

Reduce the risk of unpaid tabs with Toast pre-auth

Hardware Cost

A basic starter kit that includes a Toast Flex POS terminal, a Toast Tap payment reader, and a router retails for $799. You can also add a guest display for another $200 and other peripheral equipment such as a cash drawer ($119), KDS screen ($499), receipt printer ($199), and Toast Go mobile payment device ($389). Note that Toast KDS and Toast Go have additional monthly service charges.

Optionally, you can get a free starter kit if you opt to pay a higher payment processing fee.

Monthly Software Cost

Some Toast monthly plan options include a free starter plan (with a higher payment processing fee), a $165/month Essentials plan, and a $110/month New Restaurant Basics plan that includes labor management features. Toast also offers custom pricing packages.

Payment Processing

Toast’s standard in-person transaction fee is 2.49% + $0.15. (AMEX fees are 3.29% + $0.15). If you opt for the free starter kit, you’ll pay 2.99% + $0.15 (for non-AMEX). You cannot use any outside payment processor with Toast POS; you must use Toast Processing.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

The standard Toast contract is two years. If you leave your contract early for any reason, you will likely have to pay an early termination fee (ETF). Though we don’t normally recommend systems with long-term contracts, Toast POS is such a high-quality system that we think most businesses will not regret committing to Toast for two years.

Where Toast Really Shines As A Pub POS

Toast is a powerful Android POS that can meet the needs of a large bar/restaurant or buzzing nightclub. Toast comes with a number of useful features for bars and especially shines in terms of its labor-management feature set aimed at reducing turnover as well as theft. Advanced POS reporting notifies managers of any theft (customers or employees), shows menu and liquor sales trends over time, and analyzes customer data with built-in CRM.

These reports also include a Cash Drawer Report, which allows you to monitor each register to see who opened and closed the drawer at what times.

Additionally, Toast’s pre-authorization lets you verify and securely save card information on a tab, limiting fraud from fake cards and unpaid tabs at the end of the night. Pre-auth also makes it quicker and easier to close out bar tabs. Flexible menu management lets you set automatic happy hour pricing, quickly add new drinks, and easily remove drinks from the menu when inventory for that item is low.

Toast Go mobile point of sale devices allow bartenders and servers to take and transmit drink orders and transfer tabs, all electronically. That way, customers won’t have to close out at the bar before moving to restaurant seating. More benefits of mobile ordering include quicker checkouts and onscreen tipping suggestions, among others.

An excellent kitchen display system option makes for fast, streamlined service if your bar also serves food as well.

3. TouchBistro: Best For Ease Of Use

TouchBistro

Get Started with TouchBistro

Pros

Simple interface
Easy to use
Cost-effective

Cons

Occasionally spotty customer support
Average inventory management

TouchBistro Bar POS System Features

TouchBistro is an easy-to-use iPad POS with the following bar-centric features:

“Fast Bar” mode: Take and close orders with just two taps
Staff management: Includes time tracking, labor reports, and permissions to manage access per employee
Barcode scanner integration: Sell retail products alongside food and drinks
Upsell prompts: Pop-up modifiers and prompts for upselling and promotions
Bar reporting: Modifier report shows which premium liquors are selling and which staff are best at upselling; detailed items report identifies staff members who delete the most items from tabs
Low inventory warnings: Automated inventory alerts notify you when it’s time to restock
Tailored promotions: Send customers tailored promotions based on their behavior
Tableside ordering: Bust long bar lines with tableside ordering
Affordable add-ons: Including online ordering, gift cards, loyalty, reservations, self-order, kiosks, customer-facing display, and KDS
Bar software integrations: Freepour, Bevcheck, WISK.ai, Craftable, & online ordering aggregators

Let customers pay at their table with TouchBistro tableside ordering.

Hardware Cost

TouchBistro runs on iPad POS hardware. Hardware pricing is quote-based.

Monthly Software Cost

Monthly pricing starts at $69/month for a single terminal.

Payment Processing

TouchBistro integrates with various payment processors as well as its own in-house TouchBistro Payments (powered by Chase), which offers cost-plus pricing.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

TouchBistro does not state on its website whether its contracts are month-to-month or if there is an annual or multi-year commitment. Usually, this means a long-term commitment.

Check your TouchBistro quote to see your contract length and to verify if it is possible to leave your contract early if you are not satisfied.

Where TouchBistro Really Shines For Bars

TouchBistro is one of the more affordable and easy-to-use pub POS options on the market and has some handy features specifically for bars and clubs. The software boasts a “Fast Bar” mode in its register function that allows you to quickly take and close orders and navigate through multiple open tabs. It also has an easy promotional setting to create happy hours and events. A nice visual menu option allows you to write out recipes for bartenders or servers. Plus, there are simple permission settings that you can place on your employees.

TouchBistro has an exceptionally user-friendly interface, one created with restaurant employees in mind. There is a tableside ordering functionality that comes with the nifty feature of adapting to right-handed or left-handed servers.

TouchBistro has a standard number of reports that let you track potential waste and view sales by time of day and employee, among other settings. TouchBistro isn’t overly deep with its back-end offerings, but it doesn’t lack either, and its inventory management should suit most bars. It also has a strong loyalty program for an additional monthly fee.

4. Lightspeed Restaurant: Best For Customizability

Lightspeed Restaurant POS

Get Started with Lightspeed Restaurant POS

Pros

Deep reporting
Customizable feature set to fit wide range of needs
Excellent delivery module

Cons

Occasional outages
Can get expensive with add-ons

Lightspeed Restaurant Bar POS System Features

Here are some Lightspeed Restaurant features that bars might find especially useful:

Training mode: For quick training of new hires
Lightspeed Delivery Powered By Deliverect: Offer in-house delivery and/or pull orders from apps like UberEats, Skip The Dishes, or DoorDash; consolidates all delivery orders to a single screen
Dark mode: Perfect for low-light environments
Restaurant inventory management: Monitor inventory in real-time, get low stock alerts, and automate recurring orders to suppliers; also includes ingredient management
Menu management: Edit menus quickly and push out changes to all locations; create combos for top-selling menu items
Actionable insights: In-depth reporting includes detailed menu breakdowns showing best- and worst-selling items, customer tracking, and detailed report cards for each server
Order and pay at table: Mobile in-person ordering option includes QR code ordering and QR code payments
Single-seat checkout: Ideal for bars; can also split ticket by item, course, or seat
Open tabs: Lets bar patrons payout at the end of their visit (pre-auth only available when processing with Cayan or Lightpeed Payments using Genius terminals or the MagTek iDynamo Swiper)
Timed events: Allows you to set happy hour pricing and run other promotional events

lightspeed restaurant dark mode for bars

Lightspeed Restaurant Pub POS

Hardware Cost

Lightspeed Restauarant runs on iPad POS hardware. Hardware pricing is quote-based.

Monthly Software Cost

Monthly pricing starts at $39/month for a single terminal and includes all the core features, including delivery. The next level up is $119/month and also includes loyalty and gift cards.

Payment Processing

Lightspeed POS comes integrated with Lightspeed Payments, which offers flat-rate processing at a rate of 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person payments, with the exception of AMEX, which are processed at a higher rate of 3.5% + $0.10. Alternatively, you can also use Lightspeed with an integrated third-party processor.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Lightspeed gives you the option to pay for your subscription annually or month-to-month. Annual subscribers will receive a discount.

Where Lightspeed Really Shines For Pubs

Lightspeed features a customizable POS interface for both the front end (register) and back end (detailed reporting and analytics suite) that make the system easy to use and put the functions you need — and only the functions you need — at your fingertips. Tableside ordering lets servers take orders from tables or booths with an iPad and send those orders directly to the bar or kitchen. Staff can also receive (optional) upsell prompts and use the iPad to run payments from the floor. The timed events function lets you set promotions and offers to run for a specific time or on certain days (e.g., happy hour).

The “ingredients” tab links raw ingredients to specific menu items. If a server tries to send an order with ingredients that aren’t available, they will be alerted. Employee permissions include the ability to set permissions for different levels of employees. Permission settings can also change the “visibility” of employees to determine whether or not they will appear in your app — which can be useful for seasonal or part-time staff. The adjustable floor planner is highly customizable and easy to use for bar-restaurant setups or nightclubs offering table service. The menu-building functionality allows you to create a simple menu in minutes and on any device.

5. Revel: Best For Larger Businesses

Revel POS Systems

Get Started with Revel POS Systems

Pros

Feature-rich
Highly customizable
Enterprise-capable

Cons

Pricey for small businesses
Potential long-term contract

Revel Systems Bar POS System Features

Here are some Revel Systems features that come in handy when using the system for a bar or pub:

Conversational ordering: This feature makes it easier and quicker for bartenders to enter orders as they are spoken to them
Real-time discounts: Bartenders can easily create and apply discounts in real-time during a transaction (percentage or dollar-based)
Revel StockTake app: Allows for rapid inventory counts and integrates with Revel’s Online Ordering XT app to sync ingredient inventories for in-person and online orders
Always On mode: Facilitates uninterrupted transactions and POS functioning even during internet hiccups
Mobile order takers: Servers can take tableside orders and payments using iPads
In-house delivery: Advanced system shows where your drivers are located at all times with live tracking; customers are updated on their order status right from your KDS with SMS or email updates
Self-service ordering & payments: Via Kiosk XT, Revel’s iPad kiosk solution
Employee management: Includes employee scheduling, reporting, permissions, and more
Advanced reporting & analytics: Provides a complete real-time view of your business, highlighting metrics like top sellers, labor targets, busiest hours, and monthly progress

Hardware Cost

Revel runs on iPad POS hardware. Hardware pricing is quote-based.

Monthly Software Cost

Monthly pricing starts at $99/month per terminal, with a two-terminal minimum and a three-year processing contract with Revel Advantage. However, you can also buy Revel month-to-month or with an annual term. Add-ons such as loyalty and delivery will raise your monthly cost.

Payment Processing

Revel’s in-house processing service, called Revel Advantage, has a flat rate of 2.49% + $0.15 for in-person transactions. Revel can also integrate with outside processors, but you will pay an added fee to do so.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Your Revel contract will likely be at least one year long, and three years if you want the lowest monthly price. Fortunately, it is possible to purchase Revel without a long-term contract. Make sure you read the fine details of your contract so you know how long you are committing.

Where Revel Really Shines As A Pub Pos

Though Revel is not built specifically for bars/restaurants (the system is popular among quick-serve chains), Revel is highly customizable and feature-rich, to the point that it rivals Toast and any other restaurant-centric POS system. Revel is an excellent system for a large or multilocation bar/restaurant/nightclub/you name it.

The always-on mode allows you to run credit cards without the internet or even power. A wired ethernet iPad connection — the first of its kind — makes for a faster and more stable signal. You can set age prompts so that bartenders must verify that a customer is 21 before placing their drink order. There is also an option for mobile ordering to let you take orders electronically from tables and booths.

On the back end, ingredient-level inventory controls simplify liquid inventory tracking, automatically adjusting inventory levels based on the exact amount of alcohol poured for each drink. Employee management features include advanced employee permissions, shift tracking, and more. Revel even offers a video surveillance integration. Customer management lets you learn about regular customers, with information such as their favorite items and order history, and includes a built-in loyalty program.

6. talech: Best Value

talech POS

Pros

Includes many features at a reasonable price
Multiple hardware options
Month-to-month pricing

Cons

No in-house delivery module
No direct integration with third-party delivery apps

talech Bar POS System Features

talech includes many strong features for bars at a low price point:

Order management: Apply service charges, track voids, transfer checks between servers, re-send tickets, and re-order items
Menu management: Make real-time menu changes and customize your menu with modifiers, variations, and images
Employee management: Employee tracking, permissions, timesheets, sales performance, and tip breakdown
Reporting: View sales data in real-time, see your most popular items in your best sellers report, track voids, and view sales by employee
Integrated online ordering: Mobile-friendly online ordering website lets customers pay online or at your pub when they pick up their food (no delivery available); can also be used for contactless dining with QR codes displayed at each table
Pay by position: Split receipt by assigning certain items to specific seat positions
Loyalty program: Included in standard plan
Happy hour pricing: Setup automatic discounts to trigger at specific times, or use BOGO to run promotions
Pre-authorization: Enable pre-auth to start a bar tab when logged in as admin; feature is not supported by Creditcall and TriPOS gateways
talech Mobile: Accept mobile payments using your phone and a Bluetooth card reader
Pay at table: Servers can take orders and payments with handheld Poynt smart terminals or iPads

talech on poynt for bars and nightclubs POS

talech uses Poynt terminals for tableside payments.

Hardware Cost

talech runs on iPads as well as Android hardware, including Ingenico MOBY tablets, Elo Paypoint Plus, and Poynt Smart Terminals. Contact talech for hardware pricing.

Monthly Software Cost

Paid plans for restaurants include the $29/month Starter plan, $69/month Standard plan, and $99/month Premium plan—which includes all features. Regardless of plan, adding additional devices is $29/month per device. talech also has a free mobile-only plan, though this limited plan probably won’t work for your bar unless you sell at events.

Payment Processing

talech doesn’t have in-house payment processing, rather, the POS integrates with partnered processors and gateways, which include Elavon, Global Payments, Bank of America Merchant Services, Vantiv, Chase, USAePay, and more.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

talech pricing is month-to-month with no long-term commitment. However, depending on which payment processor you choose to use with talech, it’s possible your merchant services contract could require an annual or longer commitment. As always, be sure to read your merchant services contract thoroughly before signing it.

Where talech Really Shines For Bars Or Nightclubs

talech is a budget POS for pubs that want a lot of features at a very reasonable price point. While other POS systems might start at $99/month, for the same price, you can get every single talech feature, including advanced features like online ordering, loyalty, gift cards, and more. talech’s excellent value makes the POS a good choice for pubs and bars that are just starting out, including establishments that are just starting out or only sell at events.

Though talech can be used in various industries, the POS has features that appeal to bars specifically, including complete menu management and employee management, with options like pre-auth, happy hour pricing, and employee performance reports. The POS also offers flexibility when it comes to choosing your POS hardware as well as your payment processor.

talech does not include a delivery module or third-party delivery service integration, but certain business types–for example, a bar that doesn’t serve food–may not need these features.

7. Clover: Best Plug-And-Play Bar System

Clover POS

Get Started with Clover POS

Pros

Attractive proprietary hardware
Comes pre-loaded with apps for features you need
Can set up yourself without professional assistance

Cons

Some Clover providers are poor-quality
Some complaints about customer service

Clover Bar POS System Features

Clover’s functionality is entirely customizable through apps, which come preloaded depending on your Clover plan, and can also be added individually. Here are some popular Clover features:

Built-in loyalty: Included in $39.95 plans and above, create a simple custom loyalty program with the Rewards app
Happy hour pricing: Offer discounts by time slot with Happy Hour app
Tips: App allows employees and managers to enter tips from paper receipts
Pre-auth: Pre-authorize credit cards for bar tabs or reservations
Order kiosk: Let customers order and pay themselves using a Clover device as a kiosk
Phone orders: App works with caller ID hardware from CallerID.com
Employee management: Schedule employees with Shifts app; have employees clock in and out with Time Clock app
Gift cards: Free Gift Cards app allows you easily sell and accept physical and digital gift cards
Reports: Run various reports including employee reports and reports by revenue class (food, wine, etc.), and quickly print out using the built-in receipt printer
Service charges: Apply service charges to large parties
Online ordering: Clover Online Ordering is included free with Table Service plans
3rd Party Order & Delivery: Partner with delivery services like Uber Eats or DoorDash with Chowly
Clover app market: Choose from numerous apps to add functions like tip pooling, marketing, or integrations with other business software you use; apps may carry an additional monthly fee

clover station pub point of sale Clover’s app-based interface makes the POS a snap for any employee to learn and start using.

Hardware Cost

Clover offers several hardware devices that you can mix and match to create your perfect setup. Most bars will want a Clover Station ($1,349 to $1,699) or a Clover Mini ($749; cash drawer sold separately) with an optional Clover Flex smart terminal ($499) for mobile order-taking and payments.

Monthly Software Cost

Clover plans range from $0/month for payment processing only, to a $69.95/month Table Service Restaurant plan. Most pubs will want either the Table Service plan or the $39.95/month Counter Service plan. Depending on how you purchase your Clover POS, your Clover provider may charge an additional monthly service charge on top of Clover’s software fees.

Payment Processing

All Clover devices are sold with a First Data merchant account for payment processing. However, different Clover sellers structure their FD merchant account in different ways. If you purchase your system from Clover directly, you will pay a flat rate of 2.3% + $0.10 on all in-person transactions (applies to Register, Table Service, and Counter Service plans). Various other Clover vendors might process payments with different types of pricing, such as tiered, interchange-plus, or enhanced billback.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Clover is sold by numerous entities and not all of them are high-quality. Some of them may charge sneaky hidden fees or encourage you to sign an expensive equipment lease. Your customer service experience with Clover will depend largely on your Clover service provider. For these reasons, we recommend buying your system from Clover directly, or from a recommended Clover reseller.

Where Clover Really Shines As A Pub POS

Clover is entirely customizable and comes pre-programmed with apps for the features included in your chosen plan. You can plug in and set up the system yourself in minutes, without any professional installation needed. As soon as you activate your Clover (also easy), it’s equally easy to start using your POS, showing your employees how to use it, and start selling with it. Since the whole system is app-based, it’s intuitive for anyone who has used an iPad or Android tablet before.

For a bar that wants a simple, affordable POS system with gorgeous, sturdy hardware, Clover is an obvious choice. Clover even includes advanced features like loyalty, gift cards, and online ordering at no additional charge. As for downsides, the Clover hardware is more expensive than an iPad-based system and you can’t reuse components from another POS system. Clover is also more restrictive than other systems in that you cannot purchase your system without also signing up for a First Data merchant account.

If you purchase from Clover.com, you’ll get a simple, flat processing rate that’s lower than Square’s, and a reasonably priced monthly software plan as well. Clover’s Table Service or Counter Service plan should provide most or all functions your bar needs, whether you operate a full-service bar and restaurant or a simple pub. If Clover’s out-of-the-box features are not deep enough and you need advanced features such as in-depth inventory management, you can add an app from the Clover App Market to add that feature.