Bars and Restaurants
Video Surveillance for Bars and Restaurants
Bars and restaurants are perfect for video surveillance because they are susceptible to many different risks. A constantly revolving customer and employee base, along with high rates of theft are common among bars and restaurants. A smartly installed video surveillance system can help prevent theft and improve safety and restaurant image.
View blog posts relating to bar security cameras and restaurant video surveillance.
What best describes your Bars and Restaurant surveillance needs?
Benefits of Cafe Security Cameras
- Easy installation – IP cameras are easy to install and set up. Unlike analog CCTV cameras, all you need to do is mount your cameras and hook up your recorder. No coaxial cable or power tools necessary.
- Prevent theft - Video surveillance can help prevent problems like employee theft and "dine and dash," where customers eat but leave the restaurant before their bill arrives.
- Lower fights and violence – Fights are common in crowded bars, especially during charged environments like sports games or weekend nights. Security cameras can help prevent fights and in the event of violence, help to identify the responsible parties.
- Check footage anytime – An IP camera network with an NVR (network video recorder) can broadcast footage over the internet, allowing you to check up on your restaurant or bar at anytime. This is perfect if you have a chain restaurant – you can check up on multiple locations without having to be in multiple places at once.
How Tavern and Pub CCTV Systems can be Risky
- Privacy – Cameras should only record in public places like dining rooms, bars, stockrooms, and kitchens. Keep security cameras out of bathrooms and employee break rooms.
- Vandalism – Cameras in public places are susceptible to vandalism, especially in bars. Vandalized or damaged cameras can cause lapses in your recording.
- Outages – Power surges and outages can cause damage to your system or interrupt recording. Although they occur rarely, they are still a possibility. Have other security measure in place should your video surveillance system fail.
Things to Consider before purchasing a Diner Surveillance System
Security needs for restaurants and bars depend on a multitude of different factors. The right surveillance system for one restaurant may not work for another. Consider each of the following factors when setting up your security cameras:
- Have you had major fights in your bar or restaurant in the past?
- Do you have a problem with "dine and dash" or customer theft?
- What do you consider to be your most important security risk?
- What security systems do you currently have in place?
- Do you feel that your neighborhood contributes to your overall security?-
- Are you a bar, restaurant or both?
- Do you have daily specials or events that drive more customers to your restaurant or bar on certain days?
- What is your average customer demographic?
- Is your bar or restaurant constantly busy or do you have "rushes" during dinner, lunch, happy hour, etc?
- Have you had problems with employee theft (stealing from register, stealing food, giving out free food or drinks)?
- Do you lease a space from a larger building, or do you have a stand-alone building with a parking lot?
- If you are part of a larger building (like an office or a hotel), does that building offer security services for your restaurant or bar? - Can your employees easily survey the dining room or bar from the kitchen or servers’ station?
Setup Advice for Restaurant Security Cameras
- Place cameras in open areas like dining rooms to protect customers and prevent theft.
- Cameras in your kitchen can help you monitor workplace safety and keep your facilities up to municipal health codes
- Place cameras near entrances and exits in order to get an image of each customer and visitor as they come and go.
- Fixed cameras near office safes and cash registers can help prevent theft.
