# Café step 4: bar screen, kitchen screen and customer display

> Route drinks to an espresso bar screen and food to the kitchen, show the order to the customer at the till, and put an order-ready board on a TV.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/cafe/step-4-bar-screen-and-customer-display/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

In a busy café, the cashier, the barista and the kitchen should never have to shout. This step sends drinks to an **Espresso Bar** screen, food to a **Kitchen** screen, shows the customer their order at the till, and puts an order-ready board on a TV.

## Before you start

- **Kitchen** is on ([step 1](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/cafe/step-1-cafe-settings-and-modules/)).
- You have a tablet or screen at the bar (and one in the kitchen if you cook).
- A user with the **Kitchen staff** role for each screen. Restaurant settings can create the role in one click.

## 1. Create stations and route categories

1. Open **Restaurant › Restaurant settings** and go to **Kitchen stations**.
2. Click **+ Add station** (or **Import prebuilt**). Create **Espresso Bar** with the categories Coffee and Tea & More, and **Kitchen** with Food and Catering.
3. Set the **Default station** for anything unmapped.
4. Check the **Coverage check**: map any category still listed with **Send to station**.

![Kitchen stations Espresso Bar and Kitchen with their categories, Open screen and Copy link buttons, the five routing rules and the coverage check](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/cafe-stations-routing.XB17QG7f.png) (web app page: `/modules/restaurant/settings`)
*Routing order: product's own station, sub-category, category, default station, otherwise All stations only.*

## 2. Open the bar screen

On the bar tablet, sign in with the kitchen user and open the station link (**Open screen** or the QR code under **Sales › Screens & displays**). Baristas see only drinks with their sizes and options, tap **Start** and then **Bump** when the drink is handed over.

![Kitchen display with station chips, drink tickets showing cup size, milk choice and syrups, timers and Start, Confirmed and Bump buttons](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/cafe-kitchen-display.DY8KDHDn.png) (web app page: `/modules/kitchen`)

Statuses, timers and colours are explained in [Restaurant step 6](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/restaurant/step-6-kitchen-display-and-stations/).

## 3. Customer display at the till

1. Open **Sales › Screens & displays** and click **Customise** on **Customer display**.
2. Pick a template (Promo stage, Big total, Order board…), your colours, welcome text, logo and a slideshow of drinks.
3. Turn on **Show on POS** and click **Save**.
4. On the POS, click the monitor icon in the top bar. Drag the new window to the customer screen and press F11.

![Customer display studio with templates such as Classic split, Big total, Paper receipt and Promo stage, Show on POS switch and a live preview](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/cafe-customer-display-studio.BB-kSTCK.png) (web app page: `/screens/customer-display`)

## 4. Order-ready board on a TV

In **Sales › Screens & displays**, under **Status boards**, click **Add board**, choose **Order status**, and open its link on the TV browser. Numbers move from Preparing to "Ready — please collect" as baristas bump them.

![Screens and displays hub with customer display, kitchen screens per branch with Open, Copy link and QR, and host floor screen](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/cafe-screens-and-displays.1P5uYeZJ.png) (web app page: `/screens`)

## Tips and mistakes to avoid

- With two branches, check you open the station link of the right branch; the hub lists them per branch.
- Keep the bar tablet plugged in; the screen stays awake while the page is open.
- Full guide: [Screens & displays](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/screens-and-displays/).

## Next step

  - [Step 5: Tabs](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/cafe/step-5-tabs/)
  - [Screens & displays](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/screens-and-displays/)

## Frequently asked questions

### How does a latte end up on the bar screen and a sandwich in the kitchen?

Each station is mapped to categories. Map Coffee and Tea & More to Espresso Bar and Food to Kitchen. Items are routed automatically; the cashier never picks a station.

### What happens to items with no station?

They go to the Default station you set in Restaurant settings. The coverage check lists categories without a station so you can map them with one click.

### Do I need a second monitor for the customer display?

Yes, any screen facing the customer connected to the till computer, or a tablet using the same browser. Turn on Show on POS and open the display from the monitor icon in the POS top bar.

### How do customers know their drink is ready?

Add an Order status board under Sales › Screens & displays and open its link on a TV. Order numbers move from Preparing to Ready when the barista bumps them.

### Does a station screen need a login?

Yes. Sign it in with a user that has the Kitchen staff role, so it only sees the kitchen display. TV boards need no login.