The Best POS Systems for Bars & Nightclubs
In a high-volume bar, speed is everything. You need a system that can open a tab in one swipe, handle pre-auths instantly, and survive the Friday night rush.
Speed Mode
Systems that require 5 taps to order a beer don't belong in a bar. We only recommend systems with "Fast Bar" modes.
Pre-Auth & Tabs
Swipe once, hand the card back. Tokenization is non-negotiable for modern liability protection.
Offline Mode
The internet will go down. Your sales shouldn't. These systems keep pouring when the wifi stops.
Top Recommendations for Bars
Works but lacks advanced coursing for fine dining
Built specifically for high-volume nightclubs. Fastest tab management with true offline mode.
Best for: High-volume nightclubs, sports bars, VIP bottle service
Learn more about SmartTab
Strong choice - great coursing, table management, and kitchen routing
Solid restaurant POS with reliable hardware. Excellent for full-service dining but lacks speed for high-volume bar environments.
Best for: Full-service restaurants, casual dining, QSR with delivery focus
Learn more about SkyTab
Decent features but watch your statements - billing complaints are common
Marketing-focused POS with loyalty features. Good concept but plagued by billing disputes, handheld issues, and 3-year contracts.
Best for: Marketing-focused restaurants willing to monitor billing closely
Learn more about SpotOn
Reliable but dated - better modern options available
Battle-tested stability with 20+ years in the field. Reliable but dated interface.
Best for: Current Focus users upgrading, simple bar operations, budget-conscious operators not focused on growth.
Learn more about Focus POS
Good features, but support can be frustrating
Popular system with good features and integrations. Call-center support model.
Best for: Restaurants comfortable with call-center support
Learn more about ToastStill Not Sure?
Every bar is different. Tell us about your volume and workflow, and we'll tell you which system actually fits.