Running a gastropub in the UK is a bit like plate-spinning while walking a tightrope. On one hand, you’ve got the fast-paced "wet" side of the business, pulling pints, managing a busy bar, and keeping the locals happy. On the other, you’re essentially running a high-end restaurant with complex food orders, dietary requirements, and a kitchen that needs to stay in perfect sync with the front-of-house.
Because of this hybrid nature, a standard "off-the-shelf" till just won’t cut it anymore. You need a dedicated restaurant pos system that can handle the grit of a pub and the grace of a bistro.
In this guide, we’re going to walk you through exactly what you should be looking for in a gastropub epos system. We’ve tested the big players, looked at the costs, and found the best options to keep your service smooth and your margins healthy.
Why Gastropubs Need a Specialist EPOS
If you were just a pub, you’d want speed and simplicity. If you were just a restaurant, you’d want table management and courses. A gastropub needs both. You need to be able to start a tab at the bar, move it to a table for dinner, split the bill three ways, and ensure the kitchen knows the difference between a "starter" and a "snack."
We’ve seen too many pub owners struggle with systems that are too basic, leading to lost orders and frustrated staff. According to UKHospitality, the industry is increasingly leaning on technology to combat rising costs, making your choice of POS more than just a way to take cash, it's a tool for survival.
Top Features to Look For
Before we dive into the specific brands, let’s talk about the "must-haves." When you’re shopping for the best pos system for your gastropub, don’t settle for anything less than these:
- Kitchen Display Systems (KDS): Paper tickets get lost or covered in grease. A KDS sends orders directly to a screen in the kitchen, keeping everything organised.
- Ingredient-Level Inventory: You need to know if you’re running low on steak or if your gin margins are slipping. A good system tracks stock down to the gram or the shot.
- Mobile Table Service: In a busy gastropub, your staff shouldn't be running back and forth to a central till. Handheld devices allow them to take orders and payments right at the table.
- Offline Mode: Internet goes down? Your pub shouldn't have to stop. Look for a system that can still take payments and store data even when the Wi-Fi is patchy.
The Top Contenders: Tried and Tested
We’ve put the UK’s leading systems through their paces. Here is how they stack up for a typical gastropub setup.
1. Epos Now: The Best All-Rounder
If you’re looking for a system that can grow with you, we consistently find that Epos Now is the most versatile option for UK businesses. It’s a powerhouse when it comes to inventory management, which is vital for gastropubs trying to manage complex menus and rotating guest ales.
What we love about the epos now till system is the sheer number of integrations. Whether you want to connect to your accounting software (like Xero or Sage) or set up an online booking system, there’s usually an app for that. For a deep dive into why this is our top pick, check out our full Epos Now till system review here.
- Pros: Incredible inventory tracking, easy to use, great UK-based support.
- Cons: Can get pricey if you add too many premium apps.
2. Toast: The Restaurant Specialist
While originally a US giant, Toast POS has made huge waves in the UK. It is built specifically for food service. If your gastropub leans more towards "fine dining" than "local boozer," Toast is a fantastic shout. Their handheld tablets (Toast Go) are some of the toughest we’ve tested: perfect for the inevitable spills of a busy pub.
You can read more about how it handles busy shifts in our Toast EPOS for restaurants review.
3. SumUp: The Cheapest POS System for Small Pubs
If you’re running a smaller, more casual gastropub and you’re worried about upfront costs, SumUp POS is likely your best bet. It’s often cited as the cheapest pos system for those who want to get started quickly without a long-term contract.
The hardware is sleek and the interface is incredibly simple. However, it lacks some of the deeper inventory features you’ll find in Epos Now. It's perfect for "pints and pies," but maybe not for "12-course tasting menus." Take a look at our SumUp POS system review for the full breakdown.
Comparison Table: Gastropub POS Systems
| Feature | Epos Now | Toast | SumUp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | All-rounders & Growth | Food-focused pubs | Small/Budget setups |
| Inventory | Ingredient-level | Advanced | Basic |
| UK Support | 24/7 | 24/7 | Standard hours |
| Hardware | Modern & Robust | Proprietary & Durable | Sleek & Portable |
| Review Link | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
How to Manage the "Wet" and "Dry" Split
One of the biggest headaches we hear about from owners is reconciling the bar sales with the food sales. In a gastropub, these often have different VAT rates or different margin targets.
Using a high-quality restaurant pos system like Epos Now allows you to categorise items easily. You can see at a glance that your Sunday Roast is your best seller, but your profit is actually coming from the craft beer selection. Without this data, you’re just guessing.
If you are also considering selling merchandise or bottled beers to take away, you might even look into how a retail pos system integrates with your hospitality setup. For example, some venues use a Shopify POS for their online shop and a different system for the pub, though we usually recommend keeping it all under one roof if possible.
Don't Forget the Hardware
Hardware isn't just about the screen. For a gastropub, you need to think about:
- Printers: Do you need a thermal printer for the bar and an impact printer (which handles the heat better) for the kitchen?
- Card Machines: Are they integrated? Nothing slows down service like having to manually type the price into a card reader.
- Customer Displays: Great for the bar side so customers can see their total before they tap.
Our Recommendation: The Final Verdict
Choosing the best pos system comes down to your specific needs, but for the majority of UK gastropubs, we recommend starting with a demo of Epos Now. It bridges the gap between a busy bar and a complex kitchen better than almost anyone else in the market.
It’s reliable, the reporting is second to none, and it won't let you down on a busy Friday night when the pub is three-deep at the bar.
Ready to upgrade? Don't just take our word for it. Read our detailed Epos Now till system review to see why it’s our top-rated choice for 2026.
Final Tips for Success
Before you sign any contracts, we always suggest you do three things:
- Get a Demo: Every salesperson will tell you their system is the best. See it in action. Ask them to show you how to split a bill or change a menu item on the fly.
- Check the Fees: Some "free" systems have much higher transaction fees. Often, paying a monthly software fee for something like Epos Now saves you hundreds in the long run on card processing.
- Read the Reviews: We spend hours testing these systems so you don't have to. Make sure you've read our latest reviews before making a decision.
Running a gastropub is hard enough. Your till should be making your life easier, not harder. By choosing a system that understands the unique needs of the UK hospitality industry, you can focus on what you do best: serving great food and drink.
Want more advice on the best tech for your business? Head over to our homepage for the latest guides and reviews.