What to expect in your bar pos system.
Bars are a pivotal part of our culture. Whether you’re grabbing a drink after work, watching a game with friends, or out trying to impress someone on a date, bars provide a space where people come together to relax and connect. And the unsung heroes behind all of this? Bartenders.
Bartenders are more than just drink-makers—they’re hosts, therapists, entertainers, and safety monitors. They keep the energy up, ensure guests are enjoying themselves, and even look out for those who’ve had a few too many. With so much responsibility resting on their shoulders, bartenders deserve tools that make their jobs easier. That’s why having a point-of-sale system built with bars in mind is crucial.
The Importance of a Bar POS System
Not every POS system is built to keep up with the fast pace and complexity of a busy bar. If you’re a business owner looking to streamline your operations, improve customer service, and boost sales, you need a POS that can handle tabs, track inventory, and simplify payment processes.
Clover POS systems check all those boxes and more. From managing happy hour specials to splitting bills and pre-authorizing payments, Clover’s customizable platform helps bartenders and bar owners stay organized and efficient—without sacrificing speed or service.
Best Bar POS System Features You Need
A bar POS system needs to do more than just ring up drinks. The right system should manage bar tabs with ease, allow multiple payments on one tab, offer inventory tracking, support loyalty programs, and handle promotions and drink specials. It should also be intuitive for fast-paced environments where staff don’t have time to stop and troubleshoot.
Clover Station and Clover Duo
The Clover Duo is an excellent option for bars with a traditional POS setup. It features a large touchscreen for bartenders and a smaller, customer-facing screen for payments. This dual setup allows orders to be placed quickly and accurately, while customers handle payments without crowding the bar. If you prefer a single screen, the Clover Solo has the same back-end features without the customer-facing display.
Both devices are customizable with Clover’s extensive app marketplace. Want to manage employees? Add Homebase and let your team clock in right from behind the bar. Need better inventory controls? Clover’s built-in tracking tools keep tabs on every bottle and keg.
Clover Flex
The Clover Flex is a handheld device that can process orders and payments anywhere in your bar or restaurant. It’s perfect for large venues or spots that get slammed during peak hours. Servers and bartenders can take the device directly to customers—reducing wait times and eliminating the need to run back and forth.
The Flex also integrates with bar printers, so drink orders go straight to the bar as soon as they’re placed. That’s a huge win for restaurants with bar service, where syncing the dining floor and bar area is often a struggle.
Clover’s business reporting features also help owners keep an eye on performance. The built-in inventory tracking means you’ll never run out of your top-selling beer on a Friday night again. And if your sales numbers don’t match your inventory, it could be a sign of over-pouring or unapproved giveaways.
Must-Have Apps for Bar POS Systems
Clover Dining App
The Clover Dining app is a must-have for any bar using a Clover device. It lets you map out your floor plan—including individual bar stools—for better organization and faster service. You can break up the bar by sections, assign seats to specific bartenders, and even process walk-up orders from guests who aren’t sitting at a table.
The app also supports transferring tabs between tables or areas. For instance, a customer can start a tab at the bar while waiting for a table, and their order can easily be moved once they’re seated. This helps keep orders organized without disrupting your floor flow.
Easy Bill Splitting and Pre-Authorization
With Clover Dining, splitting checks is simple. You can divide tabs evenly, by item, or allow guests to pay separately for their own orders—all without hassle or delay. This feature is especially helpful for groups paying with multiple cards.
Pre-authorizing cards is another crucial function for bars. It helps prevent issues where a guest starts a tab and then leaves without the ability to pay. With Clover, you can verify funds before a single drink is poured.
BarPro with Age Verify
BarPro is an absolute game-changer. It includes a massive library of over 16,000 drink recipes with instructions, ingredients, and options to customize or add your own. This is ideal for bars with rotating menus or specialty cocktails. Instead of flipping through sticky, outdated recipe books, your bartenders can tap the drink name and see exactly how to make it—saving time and eliminating guesswork.
BarPro also supports consistent pours, helping you reduce waste and prevent over-serving. Each drink is made the same way every time, protecting your margins and keeping customers satisfied.
The built-in age verification feature makes compliance easy. Staff can enter a customer’s birthdate and get a quick yes-or-no on whether it’s safe to serve. That peace of mind is priceless—especially considering the consequences of accidentally serving a minor, which could cost a bar its liquor license.
Happy Hour App
The Happy Hour app is essential for automating drink specials. Whether you’re offering 20% off cocktails from 4 to 6 p.m. or dollar beers every Thursday, the app lets you schedule, save, and apply discounts automatically. There’s no need for staff to remember which promotions are running—they just ring up the drinks, and the system handles the rest.
You can also plan and load discounts months in advance. If you already know your seasonal promos, you can enter them at the start of the year and let the app take care of timing and implementation. It’s a huge time-saver and ensures consistency across your entire team.
Maximize Your Bar’s Success with the Right bar POS System
In an industry as competitive as hospitality, especially in the bar space, every little edge matters. There are bars on every corner, and what makes yours stand out isn’t just the drinks—it’s the experience. The right bar POS system helps your team serve faster, manage more efficiently, and create a smooth, welcoming vibe for your guests.
When your bar POS system is working for you, your bartenders can focus on what they do best—serving great drinks and great energy. From inventory tracking to seamless tab management, Clover bar POS systems give bar owners the tools they need to build loyalty, drive repeat visits, and maximize profitability.
If you’re ready to upgrade your setup and give your bar the technology it deserves, Clover has everything you need to take your business to the next level.
Visit getvms.com to learn more or fill out the form below to speak with one of our specialists. We’ll walk you through the devices, apps, and setup options that will turn your bar into the well-oiled machine it was meant to be.
