Happy hours, multi-buys and meal deals with QR ordering

Which deals can you run with QR ordering?

DrinksQR supports three kinds of deal, all priced on the server so the customer, the bar and the card machine see the same total:

Because the price is calculated on the server rather than on the customer's phone, nobody can edit the price in their browser, and staff do not have to work out discounts at the table. Before running any deal that involves alcohol, read the section on licensing rules below: what is allowed depends on where in the UK you trade.

How do you set up a happy hour?

You set a happy hour in the back office by choosing the items, the price change and the days and times it runs. When the time window opens, the new price applies automatically; when it closes, prices go back to normal without anyone touching the menu.

1. Decide which items are included, for example all draught pints or the house wine by the glass.
2. Set the price change, such as £1 off.
3. Choose the days and the start and end times.
4. Check the menu on your own phone during the window and outside it.
5. Brief the bar team on the times so they can answer questions.

Happy hours can run past midnight, which helps late-licence bars. A window from 11pm to 1am, for example, is set as one happy hour rather than two awkward halves.

Hypothetical worked example: a pint normally priced at £5.50 with £1 off shows £4.50 during happy hour. Two pints on one order come to £9.00 instead of £11.00, and the total the customer sees is the total staff take on the card machine.

How do multi-buys and meal deals work?

A multi-buy sets a price for a quantity of qualifying items. With "2 cocktails for £12", a customer who adds two cocktails from the qualifying list sees the deal price applied in their basket. A meal deal sets a price for a combination, such as any burger with a pint for £15.

Hypothetical worked example: if two cocktails are normally £7.50 each, the multi-buy brings the pair from £15.00 to £12.00. For a meal deal, if a burger is £11.50 and a pint is £5.50, the combination drops from £17.00 to £15.00.

Keep the qualifying lists simple. "Any cocktail from the classics list" is easy to understand; a deal that applies to some sizes, some days and some flavours causes questions at the table. Before you launch, work out what the deal does to your margin; the calculator can help you think through the numbers.

What do customers see on their phone?

Customers see the deal before they order, not as a surprise at payment. On the menu, discounted items show was and now prices, and during a happy hour a badge shows "Happy hour until…" with the end time. That end time matters: it tells people how long the price lasts and stops arguments about an order placed at 7.01pm.

Because ordering happens on the customer's own phone, the deal is in front of them at the moment they choose. There is no need for a separate deals board that half the room cannot read. Customers still pay at the table, by card, contactless or cash, when staff bring the order. See how QR ordering works for the full journey.

What does the bar team see?

The bar team sees the order on the live bar screen exactly as it was placed, with the table name in big type and the items, sizes, options and notes listed on the ticket. The deal price has already been worked out on the server and the deal is labelled on the ticket, so nobody behind the bar has to calculate discounts or check the clock.

• Tickets move through New, Making and Ready with one tap.
• Timers turn orange after 5 minutes and pink after 10, which helps during a busy happy hour.
• Alcohol items show "Check ID", a reminder to check age when the drinks go out.

Deals are labelled on the ticket, so staff can see why a price differs from the menu:

• Happy hour: the line carries a "Happy hour" tag.
• Multi-buy: a separate line shows the deal name and the saving, for example "2 cocktails for £12 −£3.00" in the worked example above.
• Meal deal: one line such as "Burger + pint £15", with the chosen items listed underneath so staff know exactly what to make.

Happy hours tend to bring a rush of orders in a short window. If you trade from more than one bar or service point, the Large plan allows multiple bar screens; see pricing.

What makes a sensible drinks deal?

A good deal is easy to understand, easy to serve and responsible. Some practical rules:

• Run few deals at once. One happy hour and one food deal is plenty for most venues.
• Include soft drinks and food. Discounted soft drinks, low and no-alcohol options and food deals give customers good-value choices that are not all about alcohol.
• Use clear end times. The "Happy hour until…" badge helps; make sure your times match any signs in the venue.
• Do not reward speed or volume. Avoid anything that encourages people to drink quickly or to order more than they want.
• Check margins first. Work out the cost per serve before you set the price.
• Brief staff. They should know the times, the qualifying items and when to refuse service.

Are happy hours legal in the UK?

It depends on where you trade. The rules below are general guidance, not legal advice; always check with your licensing authority or board and read the conditions on your own premises licence.

England and Wales

Happy hours and price promotions are not banned outright, but every premises licence that authorises alcohol sales is subject to mandatory licensing conditions made under the Licensing Act 2003. In general terms, these include:

• A ban on irresponsible promotions. This covers activities that carry a significant risk of undermining the licensing objectives, such as drinking games, unlimited or unspecified quantities of alcohol for a fixed price, and rewards for drinking a quantity of alcohol within a set time.
• A ban on dispensing alcohol directly into a customer's mouth (with an exception for people who need help because of a disability).
• Free tap water on request, an age verification policy and smaller measures available to customers.
• A ban on selling alcohol below the "permitted price", which is based on alcohol duty plus VAT.

Wales also has minimum unit pricing for alcohol. Check the current level before you set a happy hour price on alcoholic drinks.

Scotland

Scotland's rules on drinks promotions are stricter. Under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, the price of alcohol on licensed premises generally cannot be varied within a 72-hour period, which in practice restricts traditional happy hours. Promotions that offer alcohol free or at a reduced price when buying other drinks are also restricted, which affects multi-buy deals on alcohol. Scotland also has minimum unit pricing. If you trade in Scotland, check local rules with your licensing board before setting up any alcohol deal; deals on food and soft drinks are a simpler route.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own licensing law, including rules on drinks promotions. Check with the local authorities before running alcohol deals.