Card machine for your bar

Fast, reliable card payments that keep pace with a busy bar - across the counter, at tables, or on the terrace.

Common challenges

  • Card machine too slow during peak hours
  • Need portable terminals for outdoor seating
  • Transaction fees eating into margins on lower-value drinks orders
  • Unreliable connectivity causing payment failures at the worst times
  • Want contactless and Apple Pay but current terminal is outdated

Recommended solutions

Dojo

Pax A920

Compact, Andoid 7 Payment-only device with a 5-inch touchscreen. Built-in thermal printer along with Wi-Fi & 4G connectivity - ideal when payments need to be taken away from the counter. Configurable for integration and to take over-the-phone payments too

  • 5-inch HD touchscreen
  • Built-in printer
  • Wi-Fi and 4g connectivity
  • Contactless, chip & PIN, over-the-phone
  • Can be integrated with multiple POS systems
  • Android 7 payment-only terminal
Hardware
£0
Monthly
£25-35
Debit
0.6% typical
Credit
1.0% typical
Commercial
> 2.25% typical
International
2-3.5%
Per transaction
3–5p
Contract
negotiable

Shift4

Pax A800

Portable/countertop Android 10 terminal with 5.7-inch touchscreen and Payment & POS functionality. Built-in thermal printer along with Wi-Fi & 4g connectivity. Latest model from Pax includes on-screen merchant branding, intuitive over-the-phone payment flow, on-board POS features, as well as being configurable for full Shift4 POS integration (Dine & Delivery)

  • 5.7-inch HD touchscreen
  • Built-in printer
  • Wi-Fi & 4G
  • Contactless, chip & PIN, over-the-phone
  • Queue-Busting Fast Transacting
  • Only integrated with Shift4 POS
  • Latest Android POS & Payments
Hardware
£0
Monthly
Free for 1st machine
Debit
< 1.25% blended
Credit
< 1.25% blended
Commercial
< 1.25% blended
International
< 1.25% blended
Per transaction
0p
Contract
negotiable

Why bars choose uno

Bars demand speed and reliability above all else. When there’s three deep at the counter on a Friday night, a slow or unreliable card machine costs you drinks, patience, and repeat custom.

We work with bars of all types — wine bars, cocktail bars, sports bars, late-night venues - and we know what the payment setup needs to handle.

Behind the bar

A countertop terminal gives you the fastest, most reliable processing for high-volume counter service. Wired Ethernet means no Wi-Fi interference from a full venue, and contactless payments process in under a second.

Table and terrace service

Portable terminals let your staff take payments at the table or on the terrace without sending customers to the bar. On-screen tipping makes it easy for customers to add a tip when paying by card.

Events and functions

Running a private event or function? Extra portable terminals on the same account keep payments flowing without queues.

What you get from uno

  • We make the effort to truly understand the pain-points with how you currently take payments
  • Payment & POS solutions matched to your volume and service style
  • Honest comparison of rates across multiple providers
  • On-site setup and ongoing UK-based support

Common questions from bar owners

Can customers add tips on the card machine in my restaurant?

Yes. The payment terminals we supply support on-screen tipping, so customers can add a tip when they pay by card. This works for both percentage-based and custom tip amounts - handy for restaurants, pubs, cafés, and anywhere tipping is common.

Our pub has very thick walls and poor internal 4G signals. How can I have machines that work indoors and outdoors?

Many pubs and bars we've helped had this intrinsic problem, but it was resolved by careful setup of the right machines - so that they seamlessly switched between indoor WiFi and outdoor Mobile signal - allowing reliable operation wherever they're needed

Is the card machine reliable during a late-night shift?

Yes. The terminals we supply are built for sustained use - they'll process hundreds of transactions through a busy evening and into the early hours without slowing down. Battery-powered portables last a full shift, and countertop models can run continuously from mains power.

How fast are card payments during a busy Friday or Saturday night?

Contactless payments process in a few seconds. On a busy night with four deep at the bar, that speed matters. The terminals we supply are built for sustained high-volume use - they won't slow down or overheat after processing hundreds of transactions in a shift.

General questions about uno
Which card machine is right for my business?

It really does depend on how your business operates - there's no one 'best solution' for all, as a Fine Dining restaurant in Covent Garden has completely different operational requirements to a Market Trader in Glasgow's bustling Barras, or a Cardiff Arms Park pub. We make the effort to truly understand how your business actually operates - before recommending the best solution from a range of providers, not just one.

How much does a card machine cost?

It varies by provider and model. With some providers, your first card machine comes with no upfront cost, no monthly rental, and no per-transaction fees - so your only cost is the processing rate on each sale you make. Additional terminals - or those from other providers - may well carry rental or per-transaction fees. The exact cost depends on your terminal type, provider, and monthly card turnover. Because uno works across multiple providers, we compare the real-world, overall costs and then find the most competitive deal for your specific situation.

How long will it take for me to receive my takings?

We know for many UK independent buinesses cashflow is a daily struggle. We can offer various options, with settlement times ranging from just a few hours, to the full three days it takes providers to actually receive your customers money. Whatever your working requirements are, we'll find the ideal solution to match those needs.

Do all uno card machines accept contactless payments?

Yes. Every payment terminal we recommend accepts contactless payments, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and standard contactless cards. Contactless is now the default way most customers pay in the UK.

Will I be able to take 'over-the-phone' payments?

For most merchant-types this will be offered as a default payment option, available on-screen along with contactless and Chip'n'Pin. There are a small number of exceptional businesess operational-types where this is not the case - but for most, 'over-the-phone' payments will be offered as standard.

How can we process refunds?

Any terminal uno suggests would allow you to easily identify the original transaction. If still within the same day as the sale, then the transaction could then be 'voided'(aka 'reversed'). Voids/Reverses are typically instantaneous. However, if that trading day's 'banking window' had closed (typically at Midnight) then it would technically be classed as a 'refund' - which would be subject to the bank's standard 3-5 processing timeframe to complete.

Will we need to do complicated PCI compliance like we do with our current provider?

The great news for you is none of the providers uno works with have complicated anything! For those that require PCI of any sort atall, it really is a simple, painless process that just takes a few minutes per year!

Am I locked into a contract?

Not with every provider. Several of the solutions we offer have no long-term contract - you can switch or cancel without penalty. We'll always be upfront about contract terms before suggesting you commit to anything.

How long does it take to get set up?

Most businesses are up and running within a few days. We handle the supply, installation, and configuration so you can focus on serving your customers. We walk you through everything on-site - so you're confident from day one.

Why go through uno instead of going direct to a provider?

Going direct means you only see a single provider's products, at a single provider's prices. Because uno works across multiple providers, we can genuinely compare options and recommend the solution that suits your business - not just the only one we happen to sell! You also get a dedicated point of contact for ongoing support.

Ready to find the right card machine?

We make the effort to your business, understand how you take payments, and recommend the solution that genuinely fits - not the one with the biggest commission.

Call 07395 451520 Get in touch