Now that there’s a strong light shining at the end of the pandemic tunnel, restaurants across the country are opening their doors and welcoming their patrons back for unrestricted indoor dining. However, the restaurant industry was among the hardest hit by COVID-19, and it’s likely that whatever the new normal turns out to be, it will include certain aspects of restaurant service that gained momentum during the darkest days of the pandemic.
Outdoor dining, for instance, has long been a popular trend in areas with abundant sunshine and long warm seasons, but for the past couple of years, it has served as a lifeline for restaurants that would otherwise not be able to survive the long months of limited options for serving their guests. Now that summer is on the horizon, many restaurants are seeking ways to make al fresco dining more than just a survival strategy. Not only does patio seating provide more tables, but guests seem to like it too. Everyone is happier when the sun is shining on them, the food tastes better, and as an added bonus, restaurants that choose to go this route won’t be left having to make last-minute pivots in the event that further COVID surges result in the reimplementation of restrictions.
For everyone to get the most from outdoor dining, it’s essential that the designated area is more than an obvious afterthought. Following are several suggestions designed to help restaurants optimize their outdoor spaces and attract customers.
Add A Water Feature
Water features such as fountains, ponds, and waterfalls add a note of tranquility to any outdoor space — and they also create white noise that successfully drowns out city traffic noises. The sound of water also has a calming effect on the brain, which causes positive associations among guests.
Add a Fire Pit
The biggest problem many restaurants face with al fresco dining is that their location doesn’t offer enough warm, sunny days to make it worthwhile — and even in areas with balmy climates, temperatures tend to drop after the sun goes down. Fire pits make it possible to extend the time that restaurants can utilize their outdoor seating areas as well as provide an extremely appealing ambiance.
Create Separate Dining Spaces
Moveable partitions create separate dining spaces without making a permanent commitment, which helps guests feel as if their table serves as a private safe space. Even though future shutdowns seem unlikely, there will likely be coronavirus spikes and surges going forward, and many people remain wary of spending too much time in public spaces.
Consider Making Your Patio Pet-Friendly
A pet-friendly patio isn’t for every restaurant, but those serving casual fare in a pub-style environment may be able to increase their clientele by allowing well-behaved canine companions to accompany their owners. Restaurant owners and managers need to check with their local municipality before going this route to ensure that they aren’t in violation of local codes. Food and beverage establishments that choose to offer pet-friendly outdoor spaces often offer a special menu just for dogs and provide bowls of fresh drinking water.
Light Up The Night
Soft, twinkling fairy lights, outdoor lanterns, and candles create an ethereal atmosphere that sets an elegant mood for guests. Accent lighting at ground level creates good visibility without casting glaring shadows that ruin the mood.
Other ideas include having live music outdoors, creating a special patio-only menu, hosting all-day barbecues, and setting up a small bar in the outdoor space.
Outdoor dining service requires outdoor delivery and bussing solutions.
The bottom line is outdoor dining can be difficult and complicated unless operations consider the equipment and solutions that make it easier. Getting food and beverage to the customers is critical, and outdoor services stations can help resolve many challenges, but many operators forget the importance of bussing. Removing plates and glasses can be just as important as delivering them to the table.