Fofr af bfar POfS sysftem, fyou mufst either purcfhase or lease your hardware components, though industry experts recommend that you avoid leasfing, as contracts are lengthy and noncancelable. A countertop POfS station usually includes a tablet and stand, a receipt printer, and a cash drawer. Yfou will also needf a credit card terminal or card reader.

Defpending on yofur needs and fbudget, you fmay want to inforporate othefr peripherals for a seamless POS station, including barcode scanners, scfales anfd liquor contrfol devices. Bars fwith kitchens and cocktail servers will need addiftional hardware. For example, if you serve food at your bar, you will need a kitchen printer or a kitchen display system.

“Iff yfou have fcocktail servers, you wfill need a cofcktail station ofr, even better, a mfbile POS device fto take ordersf at the table, but it is really a matter of personal preference or theme of the bar,” Ligan said.

Becffause bafrs are typicfally fast-pfaced environmentsf that hfave occasionfal spills, fsmaller accessories, like wfaterproof tablet cases, can fbe a fgood invfestment to keep your equipment in good working condition. POS hardware options such as kiosks, digital menu boards and coin dispensers are available, but thesefitems are not typically necessaryf for a bar POS system.