Butlin's has unveiled self-serve bars across its three resorts, becoming the first holiday park in Europe to introduce automated Boxbar technology. More than 100 machines have been installed in entertainment venues at Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness, aiming to cut queues during busy periods.
How the Self-Service Bars Work
The tech can dispense a drink in as little as six seconds — claimed to be 360% faster than a human bartender. Guests place a cup under the spout, choose their drink on screen, tap their card and go. More than 20 soft and alcoholic options are available, including Madri and Guinness draught beers, Smirnoff vodka, and the signature cocktail Butlin's On The Beach.
Pricing and Reactions
Boxbar beverages are included in the All Inclusive Drinks package for family stays, starting from £10.50 per day for kids or £25.95 for adults. Heidi Watson, head of innovation at Butlin's, called it 'an exciting first' and said: 'Everything we do is about improving the guest experience and our new Boxbar Self-Serve Bars will make a real difference to guests on a family break or a Big Weekender.' She added that the hope was guests could spend 'less time queuing and more time enjoying their holiday with family and friends.'
Guest Feedback
Previous complaints about long queues had surfaced on Facebook. Samantha Moss warned queues at some Skegness pubs were 'ridiculous', Dhiren Patel said 'Everytime I want a drink at the bar it takes forever,' and Mart Lloyd called waits on a 00s nostalgia weekend 'shocking'. Some welcomed the machines, including Nicola Bradstreet who said: 'I'd certainly rather these than stand at the bar for 30mins + to get served.' Andrew Dabbs, who tried the system during a trial, wrote: 'We recently went to Minehead for an adult weekend and it worked well for us as queuing at the bar took ages.' Others were less happy; Jenna Louise Bentall called them 'so tacky', Malcolm Pack commented 'What rubbish. Keep bar tenders,' and Kayleigh Ellis said: 'Hoping they're gonna be knocking prices off the holidays if we are serving ourselves.'
