How The Thin White Duke maintains a high-end vibe with low-key tech
"This is the best system. I barely have to train staff. And support is nearly instant, round the clock. Couldn't be happier."
Tucked into the heart of Soho, The Thin White Duke is part cocktail bar, part professional recording studios, a membership-based creative hub inspired by one of David Bowie's most iconic personas. Co-owners Giovanni and Sasha Almonte have run it for four years, building something unique. Bold cocktails from renowned mixologist Dav Eames, a mouthwatering menu by Mai Dim Sum, and the backdrop of working production suites make it one of Soho’s real destinations.
In a place like this, the atmosphere is part of the product. That means the tech used to run the place, including Tabology’s Bar EPOS, needs to fit in.
The challenge: keeping the experience intact
Giovanni and Sasha came in with hospitality experience, but this was their first time as owners. "The cocktail hour is a small window – post-dinner, post-theatre," Giovanni explains. Making the most of this precious time requires flawless execution. Every second saved in operating the tech translates into another round of drinks sold, or time that can be focused on the customer experience.
Before opening, Sasha researched extensively for a system that could handle reservations, stock management, and fast service across both sides of the operation – all while fading into the background. "We like to be discreet and don't want to have tech on display," Giovanni says. The brief was specific: one unified platform, no friction, nothing that would look out of place in a high-end Soho bar.
That search led them to Tabology.
The solution: tech that earns its place by staying out of the way
Like Bowie himself, The Thin White Duke has a vibe and aesthetic that commands attention. It’s best served with screens and devices out of sight. That’s made possible by the high-level of functionality built into the Tabology EPOS. For example, it’s common to see venues with separate screens for bookings/table management and one for EPOS, but with Tabology, it’s all there in one system, on one screen.
Not only does that look better, but it also makes it easier for the front-of-house team to navigate and keep track of tabs when things get busy, and focus on that all-important guest experience.
The booking system built into the Tabology EPOS helps them manage the venue's unconventional layout with ease. Giovanni describes it as "well thought out – it gives us the most control with the least effort."
Behind the scenes, the Kitchen Display System has run without issue since day one, helping to keep the Dim Sum orders flowing. And digital gift cards let guests buy experiences directly through the website. The operation hums along without drawing attention to itself.
"It’s so important to have a lot of features available in one system. It’s really easy to tap into and figure out,” Giovanni says.
The barely visible key to seamless service: Mini EPOS
On Friday and Saturday nights, the recording studios downstairs become a lounge area for guests to relax with their food and cocktails. However, forcing those guests to walk upstairs to order and pay would create bottlenecks at the main bar and interrupt the guest experience, potentially costing the venue valuable sales.
That’s why they’ve opted for Tabology's iPhone-based Mini EPOS to take orders and payments directly at the table. It does the work of keeping service flowing, and slips away quietly when it’s done.
Never ‘under pressure’
Guest reviews of The Thin White Duke keep coming back to the Bowie-inspired cocktails, the amazingly knowledgeable staff and great atmosphere. Maintaining that standard during a busy post-theatre rush is only possible when the systems behind the scenes are reliable.
Giovanni says, "This is the best system. I barely have to train staff". But beyond the ease of use, it’s Tabology’s partnership model that truly removes the pressure. On the rare occasions something needs resolving, they aren't left stranded on a busy Saturday night. Tabology's hospitality-trained support team is there. "It's nearly instant. Round the clock. Couldn’t be happier," Giovanni adds.
Whether your bar is Bowie-themed or not, the only time "Under Pressure" should be mentioned is when it's on the PA. If you want tech that earns its place by staying out of the way, book a demo with our friendly experts today.
