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Turn bar first-timers into regulars with seamless payments

By: Moneris Team
December 04, 2025 clock Calculating time...
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Small bars succeed by creating memorable experiences that turn first-time patrons into loyal regulars. In fact, turning one-time visitors into regulars has a huge financial payoff—just a 5% increase in customer retention can raise profits by 25% to 95%. It’s no surprise that frictionless service, quick payments and rewarding loyalty keep patrons coming back for refills.

At Moneris, we believe that simple, modern tools—like contactless payments and integrated rewards—help bars of all sizes encourage patron loyalty. Here’s how.

Memorable experiences keep bar customers loyal

Creating a memorable bar experience and fostering patron loyalty starts with fast and friendly service. In fact, roughly 68% of consumers say they’ll stay in a physical line if it’s moving quickly.

Frictionless service makes visits feel effortless. When service is good, orders arrive quickly and tab payments are effortless, customers are more likely to have a great experience at your bar.

Making sure each patron has a smooth experience at your bar improves sales and encourages repeat visits—and simple changes can make a big difference. For example, having enough staff and the right processes in place during busy periods prevents bottlenecks. One popular method is to use a waitlist app to effortlessly funnel customers in and out.

When patrons feel they’ve had a great experience, they’ll be back for seconds, and they’ll be more likely to recommend your venue to their friends and family.

Effortless payments raise the bar for your establishment

Paying the tab should be as easy as ordering a drink. With quick, contactless payments—now making up more than half of all transactions in Canada—you can serve guests faster and leave a lasting impression of ease and professionalism.

Handheld card terminals and tap-enabled POS systems let patrons pay right from their seat, keeping the night flowing as smoothly as the scotch. When checkout feels effortless, guests remember the experience, not the wait. And when they remember the experience, they’re far more likely to stay for another round or come back again soon.

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Loyalty programs encourage repeat visits

A great drink and atmosphere might bring someone in once, but a smart loyalty program keeps them coming back. And since more than half of Canadians belong to multiple loyalty programs, adding one to your bar taps into a habit they love.

When done right, loyalty programs make patrons feel appreciated and offer perks they love to earn. The best bar loyalty programs turn occasional visitors into familiar faces by rewarding them for their patronage.

  1. Points for purchases: Allow customers to earn points for every dollar or drink they buy. For example, you could offer a free appetizer or beer after 100 points. This simple points-based loyalty system encourages people to spend a little extra to reach their next reward.
  2. Tiered VIP perks: Encourage repeat visits by creating tiers (e.g. Bronze, Silver, Gold) with increasing benefits. A regular who reaches a higher tier might get perks like priority seating on busy nights or access to exclusive top-shelf tastings. These VIP touches make loyal customers feel special.
  3. Personalized rewards: Tailor offers to what your patrons actually enjoy. If one regular always orders craft IPAs, invite them to a new beer launch event or give a discount on their favourite brew. Customized rewards show that you know and value your guests’ preferences.
  4. Milestone treats: Celebrate your customers’ special moments. Offer a free drink or dessert on their birthday, or a small gift after their 10th visit. Recognizing personal milestones with a gesture of thanks strengthens their emotional connection to your bar.
  5. Easy digital tracking: Use a simple app or card to track loyalty points so it’s effortless for both staff and customers. Modern POS systems can integrate loyalty tracking at checkout. When rewards are easy to earn and redeem, participation—and repeat business—soars.

Offering loyalty benefits encourages repeat business because patrons know they’ll be rewarded for their loyalty. The payoff for you is significant: three-quarters of Canadians say they’re more likely to make additional purchases when they’re part of a loyalty program.

In other words, a well-designed bar loyalty program not only brings people back more often, but also prompts them to spend more each visit. Over time, those repeat visits and extra orders add up to a healthier bottom line.

Personalized service makes every patron feel valued

Even with speedy service and rewards in place, the human touch is irreplaceable. Every patron wants to feel valued as an individual—not just another face in the crowd. By delivering personalized service, you turn routine bar visits into memorable experiences.

Recognizing and remembering regulars

Making an effort to greet familiar faces by name and recalling their usual orders is the perfect way to make guests feel valued. In fact, four in five customers prefer businesses that offer a personalized experience, and most say it’s important that an establishment knows who they are. Over time, this personal recognition builds an emotional bond. Regulars will return not only for the drinks but for the warm welcome they receive.

Tailoring the experience to their tastes

Personalized service also means adjusting to each patron’s preferences and mood. Training your staff to read the situation and respond accordingly is a great way to build trust. If a guest seems indecisive, offer a recommendation, such as a new beer or popular scotch.

When a couple comes in to celebrate, suggesting a special cocktail or providing a complimentary dessert can help mark the occasion. The idea is to treat customers as individuals with unique tastes. Even small adaptations like serving a preferred garnish or remembering to omit an ingredient a guest dislikes show attentiveness.

By tailoring service in these ways, you not only satisfy customer needs, but also delight them with unexpected thoughtfulness. It’s the kind of experience people remember and tell their friends about.

Showing appreciation with special touches

Going the extra mile to make patrons feel appreciated can turn a one-time visitor into a regular. Encourage your staff to offer genuine compliments and engage in friendly conversation when appropriate. A server who asks a patron if they enjoyed the game last night shows that your bar cares about its patrons.

Consider occasional surprise-and-delight gestures: a free sampler of a new beer for a curious customer, or a round of popcorn for the table. Gestures like these create a warm atmosphere where customers feel like honoured guests.

Personalized thank-yous are powerful as well; something as simple as writing a thank-you note on the receipt can leave a lasting impression. When every patron feels personally valued and appreciated, they are far more likely to return and become part of your bar’s community.

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Moneris powers seamless bar experiences in Canada

Delivering personalized, frictionless experiences is easier when you have the right partner behind the scenes. Moneris helps Canadian bars implement modern payment and loyalty solutions that make these seamless experiences possible.

By equipping small businesses with fast, reliable contactless payment systems and integrated loyalty program support, Moneris allows bar owners to remove the friction from each transaction. This means your patrons can pay quickly and securely, whether by tap, chip or mobile wallet, and your staff can focus on providing stellar hospitality service.

Our technology even enables linking purchases to a rewards program in real-time, so customers automatically earn points and perks with every round they buy.

As Canada’s leading payment partner, we understand the needs of small bars and pubs in our communities. Our team works closely with you to tailor solutions that fit your operations, from easy-to-use portable terminals for tableside service to data insights that can inform your loyalty offerings.

With Moneris handling the heavy lifting of payment processing, you’re free to concentrate on what you do best: making guests feel welcome. And with 24/7 support, you’ll always have your questions answered.

In the end, our mission is the same as yours—to turn every first-time visitor into a happy regular. By powering the technology that underpins quick service and personalized care, Moneris helps your bar build the kind of customer loyalty that drives long-term success.

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FAQs

Key takeaways

  1. Fast, frictionless service makes guests feel welcome and sets your bar apart.
  2. Contactless payments keep tables turning over and customers happy.
  3. A loyalty program gives patrons a reason to return.
  4. Personalized service turns casual visitors into regulars.
  5. Modern tools help foster long-term guest relationships that grow your business.

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Moneris Team

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Moneris is a leading provider of payment processing solutions in Canada. Our blog is your go-to resource for insights into the ever-evolving world of payments. We cover everything from the latest industry trends and technologies to practical advice for businesses of all sizes. Our blog's mission is to spotlight small businesses and provide resources that help them succeed in today's economy. Blog articles are written by members of Moneris' in-house marketing team with support from internal product and industry experts.

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