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Digital Menu Boards for Bars and Breweries: The Ultimate Guide

Bars and breweries have the most dynamic menus in the restaurant industry. Rotating taps, seasonal cocktails, happy hour specials, and event promotions change constantly. Digital menu boards are made for this.

The Rotating Tap Problem

Breweries and taprooms rotate kegs constantly. Writing on a chalkboard for every keg change is time-consuming and often illegible. Digital tap lists solve this instantly:

• Update in minutes when a keg kicks
• Show ABV, IBU, style, and tasting notes for each beer
• Display "almost out" indicators to drive urgency
• Color-code by style (IPA, stout, lager, sour)

Happy Hour Automation

Set your happy hour menu to display automatically at the right times — no staff intervention needed. At 4 PM, the happy hour specials appear. At 7 PM, the regular menu returns. Every day, without fail.

Event Promotion

Bars run events constantly — trivia nights, live music, watch parties, tastings. Digital boards can cycle through upcoming events between menu displays, keeping customers informed and coming back.

Design for Low Light

Bars have unique design requirements. Menus need to be:

• High contrast — Readable in dim lighting
• Right brightness — Bright enough to read, not so bright it kills the ambiance
• On-brand — Matching the bar's aesthetic (industrial, craft, upscale)

Zenith Digital Menus designs custom bar and brewery menus that look great in any lighting condition.

The Revenue Impact for Bars

Bars see some of the highest ROI from digital menus:

• Featured cocktails sell 40% more when displayed with photos
• Automated happy hour displays ensure you never miss promoting specials
• Food menu cross-promotion increases food orders (higher margins)
• Event promotion drives repeat visits

Getting Set Up

If you're opening a new bar or brewery, you'll need more than just menus. Check your brand name availability with BrandScout, optimize your website with AuditMySite, and find contractors for your buildout at SacValley Contractors.

Ready for digital menus? Contact Zenith Digital Menus for a free consultation.