Bar and taproom POS software: tabs, pours, keg counts and closeout — buying checklist
From: https://www.iwantmywebsitenow.com/industry/food/bar/
Workflow sources checked: 2026-10-02. Prices have separate capture dates.

Use this with a vendor or a builder. These are proposed evaluation tests, not claims that any product passed them.

YOUR BUSINESS
Current software:
What must work differently:
Records to bring across:
Budget and timing:

QUESTIONS TO TEST
1. Tabs and service speed
Ask: Can staff open, split, transfer and close a tab without losing items or tips?
Demonstrate: Run a four-person tab, transfer its server, split two items and close with separate payments.
Observed result:
Follow-up:

2. Draft and packaged inventory
Ask: Can a keg change or pour adjust the right item count and sales category?
Demonstrate: Sell two pour sizes, mark a keg kicked and install a new one; compare theoretical depletion to the stock report.
Observed result:
Follow-up:

3. Kitchen and menu routing
Ask: Do food items and modifiers reach the intended station during a rush?
Demonstrate: Send a burger and two modifiers with a draft order; inspect ticket routing, changes and void audit.
Observed result:
Follow-up:

4. Closeout and financial export
Ask: Can cash, card, tips, comps, taxes and sales categories reconcile at close?
Demonstrate: Run a simulated shift with a void and comp; reconcile register, deposit, tip report and accounting export.
Observed result:
Follow-up:

DEMO SCENARIO (SYNTHETIC)
Simulate a busy bar close with a keg change
1. Open a tab without requiring the guest to surrender a payment card and add two draft pours and food.
2. Transfer the tab to another server, split a check and correct a modifier while preserving the audit trail.
3. Mark a keg empty, switch the tap to another product and compare pour-based depletion to the inventory record.
4. Close a shift with tips, one comp and a void; reconcile card, cash, tax and accounting totals.

MIGRATION
Plan a controlled data move
Import menu and modifier records, tax groups, open tabs, customer and gift-card balances, keg and package inventory, staff permissions and tip rules, sales categories, vendor mappings and accounting IDs. Reconcile a test shift with the old POS and count active draft and packaged inventory before changing payment terminals.

A POSSIBLE FIRST BUILD
A POS does not ensure lawful alcohol service or determine age eligibility. Train staff on applicable age checks, service rules, responsible service and local licensing requirements.

SOURCES
Arryved brewery platform
https://arryved.com/platform/arryved-overview/
Vendor overview of POS, taproom, production, inventory and reporting capabilities.

Toast restaurant POS
https://pos.toasttab.com/
Vendor overview of restaurant order, payment and service operations.

Square restaurant POS
https://squareup.com/us/en/point-of-sale/restaurants
Vendor overview of restaurant point-of-sale functions and payments.

Research by Don, I Want My Website Now.
A product description is not hands-on testing. Verify the plan, current price and export access before committing.