Butlin’s is rolling out self-service bars with drinks poured in just six seconds

| Assistant Lifestyle Editor Published July 27, 2026 12:11pm Updated July 27, 2026 12:11pm It’s hoped the Boxbar machines will reduce wait times (Picture: Butlin’s) Each year, Butlin’s welcomes around 1.5 million guests, from families enjoying a kid-friendly staycation to grown-ups letting their hair down on an adults-only Big Weekender break. Keeping that many revellers refreshed is no small feat — but the company’s latest addition will make it a whole lot easier. Just in time for the summer holidays, Butlin’s has unveiled new self-serve bars across its three resorts, becoming the first holiday park in Europe to introduce automated Boxbar tech. More than 100 machines have been installed throughout entertainment venues in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness, with the aim of helping cut queues during busy periods. Self-serve bars are now available throughout all three Butlin’s resorts (Picture: Butlin’s) Claiming to be 360% faster than a human bartender, this tech can dispense a drink in as little as six seconds; just place a cup underneath the spout, choose what you want on screen, tap your card, and go. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. More than 20 soft and alcoholic options are available for self-service,including visitor-favourite draught beers and ciders like Madri and Guinness. Guests will also be able to get spirits like Smirnoff vodka, as well as cocktails such as the brand’s signature Butlin’s On The Beach. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Better still, Boxbar beverages are included as part of the popular All Inclusive Drinks package for family stays, which starts from £10.50 per day for kids or £25.95 for adults. Heidi Watson, head of innovation at Butlin’s said it was ‘an exciting first’ for the company, commenting: ‘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.’ Explaining that these bars are designed to reduce wait times, she added that the hope was that guests could spend ‘less time queuing and more time enjoying their holiday with family and friends.’ It takes just six seconds to dispense a drink (Picture: Butlin’s) According to fans, this has been something of an issue previously — particularly during the busy Big Weekender events. On Facebook, Samantha Moss recently warned that queues at some of the Skegness resort’s pubs were ‘ridiculous’, with Dhiren Patel adding in the comments: ‘Everytime I want a drink at the bar it takes forever.’ Elsewhere, Mart Lloyd claimed the waits he’d experienced on a 00s nostalgia weekend were ‘shocking’, while Chris Harding called the long lines ‘mad’ and Sarah Harrison wrote: ‘An hour my mate queued for last night.’ What do you think about Butlin's introducing self-service bars? Great idea, it will save timeCheck Not a fan, I prefer traditional bartendersCheck I need to try it out first to decideCheck Sign up to The Getaway Expert, your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's travel editor, Alice Murphy. Some welcomed these new machines for this very reason, including Nicola Bradstreet who said: ‘I’d certainly rather these than stand at the bar for 30mins + to get served.’ Andrew Dabbs, who’d tried out Butlin’s self-service for himself during a trial last year, was equally positive, writing: ‘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 about their introduction though, including Jenna Louise Bentall who called them ‘so tacky’, and Malcolm Pack who commented: ‘What rubbish. Keep bar tenders.’ Our Top Shopping Picks Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin ‘Hoping they’re gonna be knocking prices off the holidays if we are serving ourselves,’ added Kayleigh Ellis. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: If you love Sangria, you need to try this ‘ugly’ wine and Coca-Cola cocktail Arrow MORE: Charing Cross and Waterloo East close for 22 days for upgrades Arrow MORE: This ‘magical’ forest trail is the best walk in the UK The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.