- The Coronation pub in Bristol has introduced a two-tier pricing system
- The landlord would like to encourage people to order drinks at their tables using QR codes
- He believes the concept will result in “no hassle” and “no queuing” at popular venues
When queuing at the bar for a pint, the cold lager or ale can taste even sweeter.
But at The Coronation this also makes the drinks more expensive.
Landlord Ben Cheshire is trying to break the tradition of jockeying for bar staff’s attention at the bar by introducing two-tier pricing – encouraging guests to order at their tables using a QR code.
Customers who insist on ordering from the Bristol boozer’s bar will now pay up to 30p a pint more than those who order via the online menu.
This means a pint of Southville Session’s house beer will cost customers £3.50 at the bar – but just £3.20 if they order via the QR code.
A pint of Korev lager costs £4.20 at the bar or £4 at the table, while Guinness costs £5 at the bar or £4.80 at the table.
A pint of Proper Job, the Cornish ale, costs £3.50 when ordered online instead of £3.80 at the bar.
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But even at this higher value, prices at The Coronation still compare favorably with pints in other parts of the city and beyond.
According to the latest ONS data from last month, the average price of a pint of lager in the UK is currently £4.71.
But a survey published two weeks earlier by trade newspaper Morning Advertiser found the average lager price was now £4.98 and the average total cost of a pint was £4.94.
Mr Cheshire said his two-tier system also applied to spirits such as Captain Morgan rum.
Using the QR code, measures are 10 pence cheaper in a single room and 20 pence cheaper in a double room.
“The app gives the pub a pleasant atmosphere, there are no queues at the bar, no hassle at the bar and you don’t have to interrupt your drink to go upstairs and order,” Mr Cheshire said.
“Food is the same price, there is no difference.”
“It’s mostly for the younger people and large groups.”
“It’s about getting people to try it out – and if they don’t like it, they can continue to use the bar.”
Mr Cheshire rejected suggestions that the practice discriminates against older diners who may find the technology – which was widely used during the Covid pandemic when table service was introduced to keep human interactions to a minimum – difficult to use.
Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: “I completely lost all of my older audience overnight when everything had to switch to ‘table service only’ during the Covid-19 crisis. “I haven’t seen her since.
“For years I’ve had an older crowd here, catered to them, organized private events for them and things like that, so that’s not the aspect I want to pursue here.”
The 39-year-old said the Southville pub’s clientele had become much younger since the pandemic and the digital system had also reduced the burden on its staff.
He said dealing with customers over the course of an eight-hour shift can be “mentally taxing” and the digital system has made his and his staff’s work easier.
Customers at the bar tonight largely welcomed the opportunity to save money by ordering via their phone.
Tristan Grembrow said: “I think it’s a great idea, it obviously works for them as a bar.”
“I’m 33 and it works for me.”
Lee Cross, 59, said: “I remember when a lot of places only had apps – it wasn’t like it was the only way to buy a drink.”
“The bad thing about it is that when it’s busy, you can grab a table, have a drink and still have a ton of people waiting in line.”
Another customer, Rich, 36, said: “I think it’s just easier – people can order at their own pace.”
“Some people really don’t like waiting in line, it’s cheaper and more convenient that way.”
A fellow patron, who also gave only her first name, Sarah, 34, said: “We come here as a group on Friday – sometimes we order via the app.”
“It’s just really quick to get things into the app.”
Mr Cheshire’s decision comes as pubs face rising staff and energy costs due to the economic shock of the pandemic.
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According to the British Beer and Pub Association, pub numbers across the UK have been slowly declining for decades, but between 2020 and 2023, 1,500 pubs closed their doors.
The association said up to 600 more could follow suit this year.
Mr Cheshire has introduced unusual events to attract visitors, including a pottery session on Saturdays and a fortnightly Dungeons and Dragons night, where costumed customers come to play the fantasy role-playing game.
The host said the online system is perfect for such activities as guests do not have to leave their seats and this way customers also order more as they tend to explore the complete drinks menu.
But despite his best attempts, old habits – and traditions – seem to die hard.
Mr Cheshire said 90 per cent of his customers still prefer to order at the bar, although staff often tell customers it is cheaper to pay at their table.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said the “cost efficiencies” the technology brings “are extremely welcome and much needed.”
She added: “In pubs, greater use of all types of technology has accelerated since the pandemic and is being welcomed by all consumers, particularly younger consumers.”