Bunker Bar — Prepaid ‘Stash’ Card System

Why This Existed

Bar lines move as slow as Mondays. Cash slows things down, the card terminal “thinks,” the bartender counts change. We wanted a “tap — done” experience and real analytics: who buys what, when, and how much.

That’s how “Stash” appeared — the bar’s prepaid card. Top up ahead of time, pay in one tap, and forget about checkout gymnastics.

Context of the Era

2014: HoReCa actively experiments with loyalty and cashless. Prepaid cards speed up service and improve cash flow without expensive loans.

Business Insights

• Float = interest-free credit from guests; accelerates turnover and inventory purchases.
• Shorter lines → higher average check during peak hours.
• Transaction data → targeted promos instead of “discounts for everyone.”

What I Built

• API-first Django backend for POS and website.
• Django Admin the accounting team won’t cry over.
• Simple loyalty mechanics: top-up bonuses, “2 for 1” for cardholders.

Guest Experience

• Top up ₽5000 → spend ₽1500 → your balance waits for you, it doesn’t vanish as loose change.
• Card lost? Balance is tied to your account.
• One-second payments. No more “give it a minute, the terminal is thinking.”

Results

Lessons

• Fintech is also UX. If bartenders are happy, the system lives.
• Reports must be usable now, not “someday.”
• Loyalty isn’t just discounts — it’s speed.