Bar Display System (BDS)
A BDS, or Bar Display System
a digital screen that faces the bartender so they can see and prepare incoming drink orders without relying on paper tickets. a bar screen is built specifically for the high-volume, lightning-fast nature of drink preparation. Here is exactly why a bartender needs one:
🍹 1. Consolidated Drink Prep (Batching)
- Making multiples at once: If three different tables order an Espresso Martini within a few minutes of each other, the bar screen can automatically consolidate them (e.g., displaying “3x Espresso Martini” instead of three separate tickets).
- Maximising efficiency: The bartender can shake all three in one go, saving massive amounts of time during peak hours.
⏱️ 2. Real-Time Order Routing & Speed
- No walking tickets: The second a server takes a drink order on a handheld tablet at a table, or a customer orders via a mobile app, it instantly flashes on the bartender’s screen.
- Color-coded timers: Tickets change color (e.g., from green to amber to flashing red) based on how long they have been waiting. This ensures cocktails or complex drinks don’t get forgotten during a heavy rush.
🧼 3. Surviving the “Wet” Environment
- No lost or soggy paper: Paper tickets easily get wet, sticky, torn, or blown away by fans in a busy bar. A mounted, water-resistant screen eliminates paper waste and messy ticket rails completely.
- Rugged controls: Bartenders can interact with the screen using a touch display or a heavy-duty physical keypad called a bump bar to clear orders even if their hands are wet or covered in sticky syrup.
🛎️ 4. Instant FOH Alerts
- Drink ready notifications: When the bartender clears an order from the screen, the system can instantly alert the front-of-house (FOH) staff.
- Server alerts: Servers receive a notification on their handheld EPOS or a service-hatch monitor letting them know the drinks are ready to be picked up and served before the ice melts or the beer goes flat.
📊 5. Tracking Performance & Inventory
- Speed-of-service data: Management can track exactly how long it takes to fulfill drinks orders.
- Identifying bottlenecks: If the data shows that mojitos consistently take twice as long to clear on Friday nights, you know it’s time to pre-batch your mint/sugar or adjust your bar setup.