A bar’s drinks list changes all the time: a new beer on tap, a cocktail that sells out, a happy hour price. A QR code menu lets you change it in seconds and keep the same code on every table. You can set one up for free in about 10 minutes.
- Photograph your drinks list and let AI type it in, then check every price.
- Group it the way guests order: Beers, Cocktails, Wine, Spirits, Soft drinks, Bar food.
- Download the QR code and print it dark on light, at least 2 cm wide, with “Scan for drinks”.
- Put it on every table, on the bar and near the door.
- Update specials and sold-out drinks during the night.
How to set up a bar menu guests will use
- Start with what sells most Most guests want to see beer and cocktails first. Put those sections at the top, then wine, spirits, soft drinks and food.
- Write the size or measure into the name “Draft beer, 400 ml” or “House red, glass” makes the price clear without a long description.
- Keep cocktail descriptions short One line is enough: “Rum, lime, mint, soda”. People read a phone screen quickly.
- Add a happy hour section or time Either write “Happy hour 5 to 7 pm” in the item description, or, on the Starter plan and above, tick Today’s special on the items that are discounted and untick it when the offer ends.
- Use the sold-out switch When a keg or a spirit runs out, switch it to sold out on the Starter plan and above. Guests see it is gone, so nobody orders it.
An example drinks menu layout
A made-up example for a small bar:
| Section | Example items |
|---|---|
| Beers | Draft lager, 400 ml · Local pale ale, bottle · Alcohol-free beer |
| Cocktails | Mojito · Old fashioned · Seasonal special |
| Wine | House red, glass · House white, glass · Bottle list |
| Spirits | Whisky, single · Rum, single · Gin and tonic |
| Soft drinks | Cola · Soda water · Fresh juice |
| Bar food | Fries · Wings · Nachos |
Where to put the QR code in a bar
- On every table: a small stand or a sticker under a clear coating, so spills do not wipe it out.
- On the bar: for guests who stand, so they can decide before the bartender comes over.
- Near the door: so people can see the prices before they sit down.
- On a poster or board: next to the specials, with the line “Scan for the full list”.
Tip for dark rooms: print the code black on a white or very light background with a clear border, and test it in your real lighting with two different phones before you print copies. Avoid shiny finishes that reflect the lights.
Free or paid for a bar?
The free plan gives you one text menu with a downloadable QR code, and AI that types in your menu from a photo (2 times a month). That is enough for a simple drinks list. Starter is $1.99 a month ($19.90 a year) and adds pictures (up to 60), your logo and colours, today’s specials, a sold-out switch, a WhatsApp order button and scan counts. You can try every paid feature for 7 days with no card needed. Prices are shown in US dollars, paid by card, prepaid, with no automatic renewal. See the full breakdown of costs.
Make your bar menu
Free plan, no card needed. Upload a photo of your drinks list and AI types it in.
A note on local rules: what you may show about alcohol, and how age is checked, depends on your country and city. This guide covers menu layout only. Check your local requirements.
Questions people ask
Is a QR code menu good for a bar?
Yes. Bar prices and specials change often, and a QR menu lets you update them in seconds without reprinting. Guests can browse the full drinks list at their table instead of queuing at the counter to read a board.
Can I list drinks by type, like beer, cocktails and wine?
Yes. Group the menu into sections such as Beers, Cocktails, Wine, Spirits, Soft drinks and Bar food, and give each drink its own price. Put each size or measure in the item name, for example “Draft beer, 400 ml”.
Can I show happy hour or a daily special?
On the Starter plan and above you can tick “Today’s special” on an item and untick it when the offer ends. You can also write the times in the item description, for example “Happy hour 5 to 7 pm”.
Will the code scan in a dark bar?
Usually yes, if the code is printed dark on a light background and is big enough. Scan it with two different phones in your real lighting before you print copies. Phone screens add their own light, so most phones read it fine, but a glossy or low-contrast print will not.
Can guests order from their phone?
On the Starter plan and above you can add a WhatsApp order button using your own number, so guests can send their order to you. It is a simple message to your phone, not a full till system.
What about alcohol rules and age limits?
Rules about advertising alcohol and checking age differ by country and sometimes by city, so check your local requirements. The menu only shows what you type in. It does not check anyone’s age.
Related tools and guides
- QR Menus — editable QR code menus with a free plan.
- See a sample menu — open a real example on your phone.
- QR code menu for cafés — the same idea for coffee and pastries.
- QR code menu for hotels — room service, breakfast and bar in one place.
- Turn a paper menu into a QR menu — photo in, menu out.
- How much does a QR code menu cost? — what is free and what is paid.