The use of technology in pubs and bars is nothing new. From overhead music and live performances to TV screens broadcasting the biggest sporting events, it should come as no surprise to any bar owner that customers are still very much interested in tech to keep them entertained. The Pub Show conducted a survey that revealed that, while there were a number of people who wanted to keep pubs tech-free, there were an equal number who wanted features like table ordering apps.

Similarly, fruit machines, crane games and even the odd quiz game have all earned and maintained their rightful place in the traditional pub set up, with brands still investing millions into new machines and activities for their clientele. Jukeboxes are no exception, with ‘background music’ being one of the top five factors of importance to customers when visiting a pub, according to the same The Pub Show study. 

The use of apps in Jukebox technology has changed the way customers choose the music they want to hear in your bar or pub. You can retire your existing playlist and put the power in their smartphone-holding hands, but with such a thin line between tech-lovers and the tech-phobic, are apps a must-have for pubs? We’re exploring below.

What Is A Jukebox App?

At their core, jukebox apps are exactly what the name suggests – an app that offers the same functionality as a traditional jukebox, but with a digital twist. Using these apps, your clientele can use the app to choose and pay for the songs they want to listen to without having to have cash on hand. They are downloadable right from traditional app stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store and will give punters the ability to control the music playing in your pub depending on what they want to hear at the time.

The music that you play in your bar can have a huge effect on sales, customer mood and more and as a result, the pressure can be on to get it right. Even just the tempo of the music can influence how long customers spend in your pub or bar, and a higher volume could encourage people to buy more drinks. With a jukebox app, you put the power into your customers hands, reducing the pressure by letting them pick what they want to hear. If you want to keep the music fairly genre-specific, you can put together playlists to limit the choices to songs that suit your brand best.

How Do Our Jukebox Apps Work?

The TouchTunes app takes the experience one step further than the alternatives; Every customer will get a personalised experience. Just as the main system will utilise smart technology to produce a unique interface for your pub, users can create their own experience in the app by making favourites lists, selecting preferences and building up points. The system will also make suggestions based on what they’ve chosen in the past to expand their repertoire. Personalisation is a highly-demanded service across every industry, with 72% of consumers only engaging with personalised marketing, but our jukebox app does all the work for you

In order to select songs from the app, users have to purchase Credits. These can also be earned along the way through promotions or points-building, essentially providing free songs in a similar manner to a loyalty card. Standard purchase doesn’t require them to have cash on hand to select a song, instead allowing for digital payments to ensure accessibility and, as a result, an increase in profit. Customers who are more tech-phobic, however, can still go up to the Jukebox itself and pick a song from the easy-to-use, stress-free interface.

The Demand For Tech Is Growing

From jukeboxes and games, through to ordering systems and app-based menus, the role of technology in the world of bars, restaurants and hospitality is a demand that needs to be met. The ability to self-serve using an app, whether that’s viewing a menu, ordering food and drinks or paying for services, is becoming more and more common. A jukebox app works in a similar way, offering punters the opportunity to order a song right from their mobiles and even cut out waiting times with fast track play.

Studies have shown that customers are more than willing to use apps, with 67% of customers actually preferring to use self-service options rather than direct human interaction. This is particularly the case when they can download the needed software with the tap of a button via a fast WiFi connection. You can offer incentives to encourage use too, whether that’s free credits for downloading a jukebox app, or discounts for using a mobile-based ordering system. Despite the new technology, however, the atmosphere itself isn’t at risk; Being able to choose songs from the table can actually encourage conversation between customers and even encourage drinks sales by increasing positivity.

The world of jukebox apps has not only catered to technological demand, but they’ve nurtured the social pub atmosphere for small, medium and large pubs alike. Bar owners can create playlists for customers to choose from to maintain an ambiance, or let them choose whichever songs they like in order to encourage flexibility and a unique take on background music. Our jukeboxes all work with the TouchTunes app to provide a convenient experience for your customers, while keeping the same novelty and joy of going up to the jukebox for those that want it. 

For more information or to book a site survey with our team, get in touch with us, today.