As festivals continue to grow in popularity, so do the expectations of festival-goers. Delivering exceptional service while maintaining profitability is a challenge every festival bar operator faces. That’s where self-service bars, like our award-winning automated solution at Boxbar, come in.

Automated self-service festival bars can transform the way your event operates, boosting efficiency, customer satisfaction and revenue.

Here are 10 reasons why your festival should introduce self-service bars in 2025.

1. Reduce Overheads

Running a traditional bar comes with high operational and management costs, including recruitment, expenses, staff absences, and frequent turnover—challenges that are even more pressing as event costs continue to rise.

Boxbar streamlines operations and reduces overhead costs related to staffing and inefficiencies. 2. 360% Faster Service

Boxbar’s self-service terminals dispense two pints in just 10-12 seconds, two spirit mixers in as little as 6 seconds and serve customers end-to-end in under 30 seconds. That’s up to 240 drinks per hour per terminal—a serving rate that’s 360% faster than a typical bar.

3. Create Brand New Revenue Streams

The portability and ease of setup of Boxbar terminals open up new opportunities for revenue. Imagine 24-hour campsite bars, VIP lounges or pop-up bars in other unconventional areas that drive incremental sales and boost overall revenue.

4. Space-Saving Design

Space at festival sites comes at a premium. Measuring as little as 50cm wide, our terminals are the most space-efficient self-service bar machines available on the market. This innovative design allows you to transform underutilised spaces into fully operational bars.

Read our On The Beach Festival 2024 case study and learn how we helped make use of every inch of their very limited festival site.

5. All-Weather Capability

Rain or shine, Boxbar terminals are built to withstand the elements. Our robust, weatherproof design eliminates the need for extra covers or structures, ensuring reliable bar performance in any conditions. Essential for the festival industry.

6. Better Drinks Options, Perfectly Poured

Serving high-quality drinks at festivals is tough. Expensive MDUs (Mobile Dispensing Units) are frequently used to pre-pour draft beer and cider, but leave you with a poor quality product, wasted drinks, disgruntled suppliers and unhappy customers.

Boxbar’s technology ensures every pour is perfect and chilled—even from ambient kegs, keeping customers and suppliers happy.

7. Brand Activation Opportunities

Our designers will work with you to take over the design of every square inch of your machines. Make your brand sing or work with sponsors, partners and drink suppliers to create visually impactful, on-brand activations that boost your bottom line.

8. Eliminate Shrinkage

Stock shrinkage is an unfortunate but all too common challenge for festival bar operators.

With Boxbar’s automated system, every drink is accounted for, eradicating any admin or stock counting issues and helping you maintain tighter inventory control.

9. Serve Any Drink

Now more than ever, customers demand variety and choice and Boxbar is the world’s first automated self-serve drinks solution able to dispense a complete menu, serving draft beers, ciders, wine, cocktails, spirit & mixers and soft drinks.

10. Boost Your Return On Investment

From increasing serving capacity, Boxbar delivers a big return on investment. With reduced staffing and infrastructure costs, faster service and maximised revenue potential–auto-pouring, self-service bars are a smart choice for festival organisers looking to enhance profitability.

Don’t get left behind…

Festivals including Parklife Festival, Download, Newport Festival, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, MADE Festival, Heritage Live, Bournemouth Air Show, Rock N Roll Circus, On The Beach Brighton, Trance In The Woods, Sundown Festival, Live at Wythenshawe, Land Beyond and over 50 others have already experienced the benefits of our auto-pouring, self-service bars.

Want to see Boxbar in action at your festival? Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can work with you to transform your festival bar setup in 2025.