Skip to main content

Bar Tab Management

Open, manage, and close running bar tabs for customers.

What is a Bar Tab?​

A bar tab is a running order that:

  • Holds a customer's card for security
  • Allows adding drinks without re-swiping
  • Closes at the end with final payment
  • Uses pre-authorization to reserve funds

Opening a Tab​

Quick Start​

  1. Tap + New Tab on POS
  2. Customer swipes/taps card
  3. Enter customer name
  4. Tab is open and ready

Detailed Steps​

  1. New Tab Button

    • From main screen, tap "+ New Tab"
    • Or press dedicated tab button

  2. Get Customer Card

    • "May I hold a card for your tab?"
    • Customer provides credit/debit card

  3. Pre-Authorize Card

    • Swipe, dip, or tap the card
    • System authorizes hold amount (default $50)
    • Card is not charged yet

  4. Enter Customer Name

    • Type first name or nickname
    • Helps identify tab later
    • Voice: "Hey Maximus, start tab for Mike"

  5. Return Card or Keep

    • Return card: Give back to customer
    • Keep card: Place in card holder/box

  6. Tab is Ready

    • Tab appears in tab list
    • Ready to add orders

Tab Pre-Authorization​

What is Pre-Auth?​

Pre-authorization places a temporary hold on the customer's card:

  • Hold amount varies by settings (default $50-$100)
  • Not an actual charge
  • Releases automatically after close
  • Ensures card is valid and has funds

Hold Amount Settings​

Tab TypeDefault Hold
Bar tab$50
Table tab$100
VIP/High-limit$250
CustomConfigurable

Authorization Failures​

If pre-auth fails:

IssueSolution
DeclinedRequest different card
Insufficient fundsLower hold amount or cash deposit
Invalid cardCheck card, try again

Adding Items to a Tab​

From POS​

  1. Find customer's tab in list
  2. Tap to open tab
  3. Add items as normal
  4. Items auto-save to tab

By Name​

  1. Tap search icon
  2. Type customer name
  3. Select matching tab
  4. Add items

Voice Commands​

SayAction
"Add Budweiser to Mike's tab"Add beer to tab
"Open Mike's tab"Switch to that tab
"What's on Mike's tab?"View tab contents

Managing Open Tabs​

Viewing All Tabs​

  1. Tap Tabs in navigation
  2. See all open tabs
  3. Sort by: Name, Time, Amount

Tab Information​

Each tab shows:

  • Customer name
  • Tab amount (running total)
  • Time open
  • Number of items
  • Pre-auth status

Tab Actions​

ActionHow
ViewTap tab name
Add itemTap tab → add items
PrintTap tab → "Print Tab"
CloseTap tab → "Close Tab"
TransferTap tab → "Transfer"

Tab Transfer​

Transfer to Another Bartender​

When shift ends or moving sections:

  1. Open the tab
  2. Tap Transfer
  3. Select new bartender
  4. Confirm transfer
  5. Tab moves to their view

Transfer to Table​

If customer moves to dining:

  1. Open the tab
  2. Tap Transfer to Table
  3. Select table number
  4. Tab becomes table's check
  5. Server takes over

Merge Tabs​

Combine multiple tabs:

  1. Open destination tab
  2. Tap Merge
  3. Select tabs to combine
  4. Items move to single tab
  5. One payment at close

Closing a Tab​

Standard Close​

  1. Tap the tab to open
  2. Tap Close Tab
  3. Customer reviews total
  4. Add tip (screen or slip)
  5. Process payment
  6. Tab closed and printed

Close with Card on File​

If card was held:

  1. Open tab
  2. Tap Close Tab
  3. Total shows with tip options
  4. Customer adds tip
  5. Card on file is charged
  6. Receipt prints/emails

Close with Different Payment​

Customer wants to use different card:

  1. Open tab
  2. Tap Close Tab
  3. Tap Different Payment
  4. Process new card
  5. Original hold releases

Close with Cash​

  1. Open tab
  2. Tap Close Tab
  3. Select Cash
  4. Enter amount tendered
  5. Provide change
  6. Original card hold releases

Tab Tip Handling​

Customer-Added Tip​

On payment screen or slip:

  1. Show tip options (15%, 20%, 25%)
  2. Customer selects or writes tip
  3. Tip added to final charge

Tip Adjustment​

If using signed slip:

  1. Close tab with "Tip on Slip"
  2. Customer signs slip with tip
  3. Go to tab in history
  4. Tap Adjust Tip
  5. Enter tip amount
  6. Final charge processes

Pre-Set Tip Percentages​

Configurable options:

  • 18% / 20% / 22% (default)
  • Custom amounts
  • "No Tip" option

Tab Limits & Alerts​

Running Total Alerts​

Get notified when tab reaches:

  • 80% of pre-auth ($40 on $50 auth)
  • Pre-auth limit ($50)
  • Custom threshold

When Limit Approached​

Options:

  1. Increase hold: Re-swipe for higher amount
  2. Close tab: Settle current amount
  3. Continue: Risk declined final charge

Tab Age Alerts​

Notification when tab is open too long:

  • Default: 3 hours warning
  • Configurable per location

Tab Receipts​

For customer to review:

  1. Open tab
  2. Tap Print Tab
  3. Shows: Items, subtotal, tax
  4. Does NOT include tip line (not closed)

Final Receipt​

After closing:

  • Full itemization
  • Tip line (if signed)
  • Total with tip
  • Card last 4 digits
  • Thank you message

Email/SMS Receipt​

  1. Ask customer for email/phone
  2. Select receipt delivery
  3. Digital receipt sent

Tab Reports​

End of Shift​

View your tabs:

  1. Go to Reports → My Tabs
  2. See all tabs from shift
  3. Total tabs closed
  4. Total tips earned

Open Tab Report​

Manager view of all open tabs:

  1. Reports → Open Tabs
  2. See all tabs across bar
  3. Age of each tab
  4. Total outstanding

Tab Security​

Card Security​

PCI Compliance

Never leave customer cards visible or unattended. Store cards in a secure card holder or box. PCI compliance requires that card data is always protected -- violations can result in fines and termination.

Tab Authorization​

  • Only bartenders on shift can access tabs
  • Manager override for exceptions
  • All actions logged

Walkout Prevention​

If customer leaves without paying:

  • Tab stays open
  • Card on file charged
  • Manager notified
  • Standard tip may apply

Voice Commands for Tabs​

SayAction
"Start tab for [name]"Open new tab
"Add [drink] to [name]'s tab"Add item
"What's [name]'s tab at?"Get total
"Close [name]'s tab"Begin close process
"Print [name]'s tab"Print current tab
"Transfer [name]'s tab to table [#]"Move to table
"How many tabs are open?"Count open tabs

Troubleshooting​

Tab Not Found​

  1. Check spelling of name
  2. Look through full tab list
  3. Search by last item ordered
  4. Check if transferred

Pre-Auth Failed​

  1. Ask for different card
  2. Try lower hold amount
  3. Accept cash deposit instead

Can't Close Tab​

  1. Verify all items sent
  2. Check for pending modifiers
  3. Ensure network connection
  4. Manager may need to override

Duplicate Tab​

If same customer has multiple:

  1. Identify correct tab
  2. Merge if needed
  3. Close duplicates without charge

Best Practices​

Opening Tabs​

  • Always get valid card first
  • Confirm customer name clearly
  • Return card if policy allows
  • Keep card holder organized

During Service​

  • Add items promptly
  • Keep tab totals updated
  • Check on older tabs
  • Communicate tab transfers

Closing Time​

Last Call

Start closing tabs 30 minutes before close and announce "last call for tab close." Tabs left open overnight incur additional authorization holds on customer cards and create accounting headaches.

  • Print tabs for review before closing
  • Don't leave tabs overnight
Last updated on