There is a lot more to running a bar than just stocking everyone’s favourite beers.
As much as modern punters might like XXXX Gold, VB, Carlton Dry and Great Northern Brewing Co Super Crisp Lager, landlords and pub owners are increasingly facing several challenges they need to overcome. Chief among them are rising costs, ever-changing customer expectations, and the demand for more efficient service.
For this reason, having the right tools behind the bar can make a massive difference to the success of your establishment. But what are they, and where do you get them from?
This post will outline seven small tech upgrades you can make that should dramatically boost the performance of your business.
Incorporating everything from smarter payments to automated stock tracking, implementing them can help you to improve your team’s efficiency, reduce wastage, and create a better overall experience for your customers.
1. Portable EFTPOS machine
These days, few people like to queue up for their drinks. So, one of the best small tech upgrades a pub can make is to accept payments via a Smartpay portable EFTPOS machine.
This device is a practical, wireless solution that lets staff take payments directly at the table, outside in the beer garden, or wherever the customer is sitting. It is also fast and flexible, and supports all major cards and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
If you choose to upgrade your payment system in this way, it will result in punters having to make fewer trips back to the bar and spending less time waiting at the counter. This, in turn, will improve your table turnover and boost levels of customer satisfaction, especially during peak hours.
2. Good POS Systems
Outdated tills can be a major bottleneck for a drinking establishment. While the old school way of ringing up the charges might hold a certain nostalgia for them, they are prone to mistakes. That is why many pub owners have adopted modern, cloud-based bar POS systems that are built for speed and flexibility.
The best systems make it easy to take orders, split bills, track sales, and manage tabs in real time. However, you should look for systems that integrate with your inventory and payment platforms, as they will provide you with smoother operational efficiency.
The great thing about a state-of-the-art POS system is that it lets your team serve your customers quicker. It also provides more valuable and quicker insights into what’s selling (and what’s not).
3. Smart Inventory Tools
Stocktaking and cellar management have long been the bane of many a barman and barmaid, not least because they can be a hassle and easy to get wrong.
Thankfully, digital stocktake apps or smart inventory management systems have made the process much easier. These tools help track usage, reduce wastage, and even automate the reordering process when you’re running low on popular items.
Syncing inventory with your POS also gives you a clearer picture of trends and helps you plan ahead for busy nights or seasonal demand.
4. Bar Display Screens & Digital Tap Lists
Gone are the days when you have to print off paper menus every time a keg kicks. Instead, digital displays or tablets behind the bar can show your current tap list, specials, or food menu. Moreover, they can also automatically update them when you run out.
For customers, this means they can see exactly what’s on offer in real time, which saves your staff from answering the same questions all night. (A surefire way to reduce their morale!)
What makes them so appealing is that they are a simple upgrade to make. They also look professional, can improve your pub’s transparency, and add a modern feel to your venue.
5. Temperature & Pour Sensors for Beer Systems
Ask any landlord, and they will tell you that beer wastage is a silent profit killer that can cost thousands over the course of a year. For this reason, it is worth installing tap beer monitoring tools, like keg pressure sensors and pour trackers, to help you maintain consistency and cut down on lost product.
If you do, you’ll be alerted if a keg is too warm, pouring too fast, or running low, before it becomes an issue that can put customers off. It’s also a great way to make sure every schooner tastes as good as it should, every time.
6. Smart Lighting & Music Systems
These days, the vibe of your venue matters just as much as the drinks. So, instead of hosting an environment that looks like it has come out of the 1980s, consider embracing smart lighting and automated music platforms instead.
They let you set the perfect mood for every time of day or event by giving you the ability to pre-schedule playlists, dim lights during dinner service, or ramp up the energy on a Saturday night, without needing anyone to man the booth.
Essentially, it provides you with one less thing for your staff to worry about, and it keeps the customer experience consistent and on brand.
7. Hygiene, Cleaning & Compliance Tools
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, hygiene expectations have become higher than ever in the pub environment. That is why tech upgrades like touchless taps, automatic soap dispensers, and cleaning schedule apps are being increasingly adopted in venues up and down Australia to help them keep things spotless and safe.
Indeed, some venues now use digital logs to record cleaning times, temperature checks, and staff hygiene compliance, to provide both staff and patrons with peace of mind. While it’s a relatively small investment, it can pay off handsomely by reinforcing your venue’s reputation and helping you stay compliant with food and safety standards.
