Bar owners: here are the four trends for 2026 you won't want to miss!

The profitability of a bar in 2026 will no longer be a matter of simply serving drinks. It will be about offering a unique experience that leaves a lasting impression. Original concepts, trendy ingredients, personalised activities... customers are now looking for unforgettable moments, authentic human relationships and an offering that is 100% tailored to their needs.

Let's take a look at the 4 major bar trends not to be missed in 2026, taken from our new guide (free download below).

Hybrid bars: a popular business model

Serving drinks is no longer enough to stand out from the competition and attract new customers. Faced with this reality, many bar owners are choosing to diversify their activities to increase their turnover and broaden their customer base. If you choose this strategy, be careful to opt for an option that is in line with the DNA of your establishment. Diversification that is unexpected or too far removed from your original concept could damage your brand image and displease your customers.

Among the possibilities for diversification are:

• Privatisation of your establishment for a certain period of time (evening, half-day, weekend, etc.),
• A catering service for a professional or private event (wedding, graduation, after-work party, etc.),
• Discovery workshops to satisfy your aficionados' thirst for knowledge and meet the demand of those looking for an unusual activity,
• Collaboration with local creators who present their creations in exchange for a financial contribution for the stand,
• And much more: themed evenings with paid admission, film screenings, etc.

Create tailor-made experiences to build customer loyalty

Although it may seem very appealing to try to expand your customer base, it is often highly recommended to focus first on customer loyalty. And in this regard, traditional techniques are no longer enough. Your best weapon? Customer data! This valuable information allows you to understand your customers' spending habits, so you can create tailored, intelligent offers. Perhaps your customers would like you to add non-alcoholic drinks (mocktails) to your menu? Or maybe appetiser platters with locally sourced ingredients?

👉 To be sure that you collect reliable data, we recommend using integrations connected to your POS system. Since every drink sold is automatically recorded in your central POS system, you get detailed information in real time on your customers' consumption trends.

These connected integrations have other advantages too! It allows you to create modern, personalised loyalty programmes to encourage your customers to consume more each time they visit, or to come back more often. Your customer receives a reward once the target has been reached: it's a win-win situation!

Ride the wave of mobile POS systems

Are you still using an old-fashioned cash register and a notepad to take orders? 😮 Practical, reliable and modern, mobile POS systems are revolutionising the bar industry! They allow your waiters to take orders and collect payments from customers anywhere in your establishment, without having to go back to the central POS system or kitchen to pass on the information. And this improves customer satisfaction as they no longer have to queue to pay.

Another advantage: 2-in-1 ordering and payment solutions allow you to open points of sale anywhere in your establishment! Want to reopen the terrace on a sunny weekend? Or perhaps add a snack corner? Create additional points of sale with complete peace of mind with this easy-to-use solution.

It is also an excellent tool for creating pop-up bars. Whether it's a customer event where you are providing the service, or an event organised by your establishment, you can easily create event bars with this wireless solution connected to your central POS system.

Say yes to bar automation

Automation is significantly transforming the bar industry. Less loss and waste, shorter waiting times and better control over your stock... these are the main advantages of bar automation!

Fill several glasses simultaneously, with millimetre-precise dosing every time. Each drink served is recorded in your central POS system, giving you a real-time overview of your sales and payments received. Among our favourite automated beverage systems are:

• Beer Tap System
• Liquor Control System
• Self-Service Beer Wall
• Bar Gun
• Speed Rail Bar

So, are you ready for 2026? Download our 100% free guide to discover other bar trends ⤵️