Restaurant Patio Ideas and Tips for Summer
Discover creative outdoor dining ideas for your restaurant this summer with this guide to preparing for patio season.
Get ready for the summer with our cool restaurant patio ideas and tips:
Give your restaurant a summer upgrade with some creative restaurant patio ideas. From expanding the front of house to catching the interest of existing and new customers alike, an attractive patio can make all the difference to your restaurant’s summer profits. People now more than ever appreciate the outdoors, which means they’ll be searching for some cool outdoor spaces to enjoy the warmer summer months. That is why we’ve compiled a list of great patio restaurant ideas and tips to help your customers embrace the heat and get your business booming.
Outdoor Restaurant Patio Ideas
1. Embrace nature
Source: Setaara
A plant sanctuary is always a great idea to boost your guests’ mood, and what time is better to do this than at the height of patio season. Studies have shown that being surrounded by greenery improves mental health, so why not turn your patio into a garden oasis.
Climbers like the trumpet and Virginia creepers transform any space into a shaded paradise, perfect for those who wish to revel in nature while at the same time hide from direct sunlight.
You can also cover partitions with plants or use them as dividers, decorate tables and walls with colorful flowers, and sprinkle rose petals in water fountains.
2. Brighten up your lighting
Source: El Chorro Lodge
Because the nights are cooler during the hotter months, and many people might prefer to go out when the sun is down or after work hours, well-designed patio lighting can do wonders for a restaurant’s ambiance.
String lights add both magic and a sense of comfort, and with enough greenery, your guests can feel as though they’re dining in a fairytale backyard while still offering an upscale experience. Lights can also be incorporated into many restaurant concepts and can be used to decorate fences, tents and water fountains.
3. Add large umbrellas or canopies
Source: Mon Ami Gabi
Not only do they protect guests from UV rays and unforeseen drizzles, but umbrellas and canopies also make your patio look stylish – whether you opt for neutral or colorful tones. They also offer customers a sense of privacy and encourage people tired of a day in the heat to stop at your patio for a drink and some shade.
For a more modern look, go for geometric umbrellas in neutral tones, but of course, keep your restaurant’s theme in mind.
4. Get creative with furniture
Source: The Watergate Hotel
Cushioned furniture encourages lounging, which means customers will spend more time at your restaurant and feel completely relaxed. If you have a rooftop patio, make sure you use plenty of pillows so that your guests enjoy a relaxing evening under the sky after a long day. The cozier the seats, the better, so consider corner and halfmoon sofas.
Unique seating options provide your clients with a new experience. Try hanging egg chairs, tents and swing seats – and why not decorate them with fairy lights, flowers or climbing vines for that extra wow-factor.
5. Feature amazing wall murals
Source: El Catrin Destileria
Good wall murals add character and energy to your restaurant’s patio and give customers something to stare at in the absence of a good view. They’re also great for your Instagram-loving customers, as they might be tempted to sit in your patio for the sake of sharing a few colorful stories.
Avoid clichés and invest in an original work of art – preferably one that intrigues customers – by a local artist. It’s also a good way to cover up any imperfections and enhance dull walls.
Restaurant Patio Tips
So, how can restaurants with outdoor seating welcome the patio season after having been dormant for several cold months? It takes a lot more than simply dusting off the furniture and opening the doors. Revamping your restaurant for the warmer weather will help you attract more customers and maximize your rate of return. Here are our top tips.
Freshen up your restaurant patio
Your customers will be expecting new and innovative restaurant patio ideas when you reopen for the season. Make sure your furniture looks good and your rain shields you use to protect against the weather are functioning well. Offer patio heaters and umbrellas — and clean them thoroughly. Thinking like your customers and making sure they are comfortable will encourage them to become regulars.
Move operations outside
Give people a reason to visit restaurants with outdoor seating. If they must head inside to get a drink, why not just go to another restaurant? Consider moving the bar outside. And if you want to go a step further, move the grill outside, too. Not only will this attract the interest of passersby, but you’ll also reduce the heat inside and offer the food transparency that customers appreciate. Plus, barbecues scream summer.
Host a restaurant patio party
When it’s time to officially reopen, you might as well make it a party. There are many wonderful ideas to try out when launching your summer season. Maybe have a smaller “friends and family” event as a soft launch, or perhaps offer a special deal or rewards program to the first customers to visit your patio restaurant. Whatever you choose, honor your VIPs and make sure you spread the word with a Facebook event and social media posts.
Offer live music with outdoor seating
A restaurant with outdoor seating and a live band? That’s a winning combination. Consider the best way to set up a live musical act, and then reach out to your local community to find someone with a great set list. As a small business owner, there’s a good chance that you or one of your employees know of someone who’s perfect for creating just the right ambiance to go with your new restaurant patio ideas. And as always, marketing is key. Let people know about the party.
Before you open for the season, make sure you take time to plan out your marketing strategy. Creating a timeline and putting energy into what works — and understanding what doesn’t — will go a long way toward making this year the best yet for your patio restaurant.
Need help getting customers in the door? Give Groupon a try! Thousands of restaurants use the Groupon website and app to promote their businesses, generate awareness and attract new customers – especially during slow times or off-peak hours. Get inspired by the success stories of Groupon merchants and find out more about how Groupon works today.
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