Balancing your gastropub’s food and beverage revenue mix presents daily challenges. A strong POS system makes this balance possible. It manages busy bar service and a quality food menu.
Late-night labor costs often eat into profits after 10 PM. You need a system that tracks performance and limits waste. Draft beer waste and keg inventory are constant battles. The right POS gives you visibility and control.
This guide helps pub and gastropub owners find their ideal POS system. We rank the top 5 systems for your specific needs. Find a system that truly supports your business.
Lavu
Best for: Pubs and gastropubs need a powerful ally for complex operations, advanced analytics, and custom beverage management.
Lavu is built for busy pubs and gastropubs. Its detailed beverage tracking and AI-driven analytics give owners an edge. Choose Lavu to maximize profits and minimize waste.
- ✓ Unmatched beverage inventory control, including specific pour sizes for draft beer.
- ✓ Marty, Lavu’s AI, offers deep sales and profit insights to optimize revenue mix.
- ✓ Strong tab management features for busy bar environments.
- ✓ Flexible hardware options and strong offline mode performance.
- ✓ Dedicated support acting as a true partner for your business.
- ✓ Integrated KDS for efficient food service alongside bar operations.
- ✗ Setup can require more time due to extensive customization options.
- ✗ Cost may be higher for basic operations not needing advanced features.
Pricing: Starts around $99/month per terminal, custom quotes for larger setups. Hardware sold separately or leased.
Toast
Best for: Full-service gastropubs need integrated hardware and strong online ordering.
Toast offers a solid, integrated system for gastropubs with a strong food program. Its hardware is durable. Online ordering works well. It may lack the granular beverage controls some pubs require.
- ✓ Integrated hardware ecosystem designed for restaurant environments.
- ✓ Strong online ordering and delivery integrations for food service.
- ✓ Good table and order management for dining areas.
- ✓ Loyalty program features to engage customers.
- ✓ Dedicated handheld devices for server efficiency.
- ✓ Detailed sales reporting.
- ✗ Requires proprietary hardware, which can be a significant upfront cost.
- ✗ Less specialized inventory tracking for specific pour costs on draft beer.
- ✗ Customer support can be inconsistent at times.
Pricing: Hardware plans start at $0 upfront with processing fees, software plans start around $79/month.
TouchBistro
Best for: Gastropubs need efficient table service and front-of-house operations.
TouchBistro manages dining room flow and kitchen communication well for gastropubs. It provides many restaurant-specific features. Pubs heavy on draft beer may find its beverage inventory less detailed.
- ✓ Intuitive table management and floor plan customization.
- ✓ Strong KDS integration for smooth kitchen communication.
- ✓ Complete staff management features.
- ✓ Good reporting on sales and labor.
- ✓ Mobile ordering capabilities for servers.
- ✓ Gift card and loyalty program support.
- ✗ iPad-based system may not suit all hardware preferences.
- ✗ Less emphasis on advanced beverage-specific inventory management.
- ✗ Some third-party integrations can be complex.
Pricing: Starts at $69/month for basic plan, higher tiers with more features. Hardware purchased separately.
Square for Restaurants
Best for: Smaller pubs or gastropubs need an affordable, easy-to-use system with flexible payment processing.
Square for Restaurants works well for smaller, budget-conscious pubs. It offers simplicity and transparent pricing. Larger gastropubs needing deep insights or specialized beverage management may outgrow it.
- ✓ Very easy to set up and intuitive user interface.
- ✓ Transparent processing fees and competitive rates.
- ✓ Good for quick counter service and basic bar operations.
- ✓ Affordable entry point with free basic software plan.
- ✓ Integrated online ordering for simple menus.
- ✓ Strong hardware design for tablets.
- ✗ Lacks advanced features for complex beverage inventory and pour control.
- ✗ Reporting is less granular for detailed profit optimization.
- ✗ Scalability can be limited for larger, multi-location operations.
- ✗ Customer support can be harder to reach.
Pricing: Free basic plan (processing fees apply), paid plans from $60/month per location. Hardware sold separately.
Clover
Best for: Pubs value modularity and an app-based ecosystem for custom functionality.
Clover offers flexibility through its app market. It suits pubs willing to build their own solution with add-ons. It might not provide the deep, integrated intelligence specialized systems like Lavu offer for gastropubs.
- ✓ Modular hardware and software design allows customization.
- ✓ Extensive app marketplace for adding specific functionalities.
- ✓ User-friendly interface for quick staff training.
- ✓ Good for basic ordering and payment processing.
- ✓ Supports online ordering and loyalty programs via apps.
- ✓ Variety of hardware options.
- ✗ Relies heavily on third-party apps for advanced features, increasing cost and complexity.
- ✗ Core system lacks specialized gastropub features out-of-the-box.
- ✗ Less integrated reporting compared to restaurant-specific systems.
- ✗ Pricing can become complex with multiple apps and add-ons.
Pricing: Software starts at $14.95/month, various hardware bundles available with different processing rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a POS system really reduce draft beer waste?
Yes, many systems track inventory by the ounce or pour. This monitors actual usage against sales data. Lavu’s precise beverage management stands out.
Is specific hardware required for a gastropub POS?
No, not always. Some systems offer hardware flexibility, allowing tablet use. Others, like Toast, require their proprietary equipment for full functionality.
Do I need online ordering for my pub or gastropub?
Yes, online ordering expands your reach for food and merchandise sales. It provides another revenue stream.
How does a POS system manage bar tabs efficiently?
A good POS allows bartenders to open tabs quickly, pre-authorize cards, and transfer tabs. This keeps service fast and accurate.
Can a POS help me control late-night labor costs?
Yes, a POS provides detailed time tracking and sales data. You can adjust staffing levels based on demand and profitability.
What if my internet goes down during service?
Many top POS systems offer an offline mode. This allows you to continue taking orders and processing payments.
Can I integrate my POS with accounting software?
Yes, most modern POS systems integrate with popular accounting platforms. This makes bookkeeping easier and reduces manual data entry errors.
Ready to see Lavu in action?
Book a free demo and see how Lavu helps operators like you.
