Guide to the best EPoS systems for pubs and bars 

At Access Hospitality, we’re dedicated to helping hospitality businesses succeed with our range of software solutions. With over 30 years of experience in providing EPoS for pubs and bars, we've helped thousands of businesses in the UK to improve service speeds, manage payments and streamline all pub and bar-related operations. 

In this article, we'll look at the features and functionalities of the best EPoS system for a pub, rounding up the top options available in the market today.  

Key features to look for when choosing EPoS for pubs and bars 

When choosing the best pub EPoS system, outside of the basic features they offer, such as order processing, payment handling, and basic inventory management, pay close attention to the features that are specific to your bar or pub operations, like: 

• features to manage bar tabs - the ability to easily open, manage, and close tabs for individual customers or groups, allowing for running totals, split payments, and easy tip adjustments is a crucial feature for busy bars and pubs where guests may order multiple rounds throughout the night. 

• ease of use to manage orders and payments quickly - it's essential to have a system that's intuitive and that allows staff to quickly take orders, process payments, and manage tables efficiently. 

• hardware made for busy venues - in fast-paced environments, when occasional spills happen, your POS station needs to be durable. 

• real-time stock control and inventory tracking - you need to be able to see exactly how much liquor, beer or food you have on hand. Real-time stock information will also help minimise waste, prevent shortages, and ensure popular drinks and menu options are always available. 

• the ability to integrate with your booking system, CRM and loyalty programme - a good bar POS system should easily integrate with your booking system, inventory management, accounting software and other software for a complete view of your business. 

• integrated payment - integrated payment keeps transactions flowing smoothly and securely. Your chosen POS system should also support various payment methods, like debit and credit cards, mobile wallets, and split payments. 

• security and data protection - protecting your customers' data and keeping your business compliant should be a top priority. Look for a system that takes security seriously, like those using cloud-based storage with strong encryption and regular backups to safeguard your information. 

How to choose a POS for bars and pubs?

Once you consider the POS features and functionalities, you'll need to evaluate additional factors, like the software cost, its scalability, and whether it will actually meet your business's requirements. To make sure you're making a good decision, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Does the system meet my business's specific needs? Consider your specific requirements, such as table service, the types of drinks you serve, your average order size, your busiest hours, and if you need features like bar tab management and drink recipe tracking. 

• Does the system fit my budget? Consider not only the upfront costs but also the ongoing fees for subscriptions, transactions, hardware, and support. There are a variety of POS systems available, and their price range varies, so choose one that offers value for money and aligns with your budget constraints. 

• Can it scale with my business? Think about your future growth plans - will the system be able to accommodate increased transaction volumes, additional locations, or new features as your business expands? 

• Does the provider offer reliable customer support? Technical issues can arise unexpectedly and when you have a thirsty group of guests leaning at your bar, you can't waste any time trying to get help in the middle of the night. When choosing your bar EPoS, ensure the provider offers prompt and helpful customer support to minimise downtime and disruptions. 

• Is it flexible and will it function offline? Similar to the example above, in case of internet outages, offline functionality can keep your business running smoothly. 

What is the best EPoS system for your pub or bar?

Choosing the best EPoS system for a bar, pub or nightclub can be a challenging task, simply because these different types of businesses have their unique requirements, for example, a nightclub will need to focus on speed of service, as well as age verification and fast payments. A pub, on the other hand, may be serving food as well as drinks, so its EPoS needs to facilitate both of these aspects of the business.  

To help you choose the EPoS system for your pub or bar, we’ve rounded up some of the best bar EPoS solutions available. Here are the vendors to consider. 

Access EPoS 

Best for: Bars and pubs that are looking for scalable software. 

Cost: starting at £316 per month for 1 site and 2 EPoS terminals. Additional features like the Kitchen Display System (KDS) and Menu Manager are available at affordable rates, priced at £14 per screen/per month and £30 per month/per site, respectively.  

Access EPoS is a comprehensive, cloud-based EPOS system designed specifically for the hospitality industry, with a user-friendly interface including customisable modules. It offers a wide range of features tailored for pubs and bars, including robust, real-time inventory management, advanced reporting and analytics capabilities, and seamless integration with a comprehensive hospitality management software suite.  

With more than 30+ years of industry experience, it offers 24/7 support, making it a reliable choice for businesses seeking a trusted solution. 

EPoS Now 

Best for: Small to medium-sized pubs and bars 

Cost: From £325 (hardware & software bundle)  

EPoS Now is a cloud-based system specifically designed for the hospitality industry, with a user-friendly interface and customisation options. It provides robust POS for pubs and bars looking for a reliable EPoS system, including the POS system, cash till and printer, with a water-resistant touchscreen to protect it from spillages. 

Their bundled hardware and software packages can be a convenient option, but their limited 24/7 support (online chat only), limited reporting and analytics capabilities and customisation options for menus and layouts might be a drawback for some. 

Lightspeed 

Best for: Hospitality industry 

Cost: starts from £59 per month for up to 2 locations 

A modern, cloud-based system with a sleek interface, Lightspeed is a scalable solution suitable for bars of all sizes. Its strengths lie in its intuitive design and a wide range of credit, debit, and mobile payment options. With no monthly transaction limits, bars can process an unlimited volume of orders, and the fast checkout keeps the bar queue moving.  

However, their 24/7 support is restricted to online chat and some of their advanced features require third-party integrations and extra fees, which can incur additional costs. 

Square 

Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses 

Cost: Their pricing includes a basic 1.75% fee per transaction for card payments, with online payments incurring a higher fee. There is no monthly fee for the basic package, but additional features and services cost £69 per month per terminal. 

Thanks to its affordability, Square is a popular choice for small businesses. Its intuitive interface and mobile-first design make it easy to use and set up.  

However, transaction fees can add up over time, you'll need to purchase hardware separately, and reporting and analytics capabilities may not be as comprehensive as with other providers. If you have a larger or more complex bar operation, you might find Square's feature set lacking compared to more specialised bar EPoS systems. 

Zettle by PayPal 

Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses 

Cost: 1.75% per transaction, by payment type 

Zettle ranks high in popularity amongst smaller bars and pubs, but it's worth noticing that it hasn’t been designed as a specialist POS system for bars like some of the other providers. Its affordable card readers and straightforward setup make it accessible for new ventures.  

However, transaction fees apply, and additional hardware might be needed for more complex operations. 

*Prices are correct as of 17 July 2024. For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information, please contact the providers directly. 

*Please note that the "Best for" suggestion is a general guideline and businesses should assess their own needs and requirements before making a decision. Additionally, pricing and features may vary depending on the specific package or plan chosen.  

Which is the best EPoS system for your pub or bar?

In this article, we compared the five top systems and we've explored all the things you should consider when looking for the best POS system for a bar or pub. Choosing the ideal software boils down to your individual needs and priorities, like the size of your business, the volume of transactions you handle, your budget, and the specific features that are most important to you. 

We recommend thoroughly researching each provider, comparing their features and pricing, and taking advantage of free trials or demos to see how each system works in a real-world setting. Consider all the factors and be sure to weigh the long-term value against the initial cost and don't be swayed solely by price, as opting for a cheap EPoS system could end up costing you more in the long run. 

If you’re ready to explore how a POS can benefit your pub or bar, book a demo now.