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The weather is warming up. People are coming out of their winter hibernation. They want to be out in the fresh air. So, what better way to add interest to your restaurant or bar than to have an inviting outdoor patio space for your customers to enjoy? But you can’t just throw some tables and chairs outside and call it a patio. There are a few issues that you will need to consider in advance to make your efforts successful. Here are seven things to consider before you invest in your outdoor dining space:

1. Check Your Local Laws

Just because you have outdoor space doesn’t mean you are legally allowed to use it for foodservice. It may require additional permits. And don’t forget that you might need to run electricity for lighting or things like plumbing, gas and other things needed if you want to do food preparation or have a full bar outside. You will definitely need permits for these types of larger projects.

And even more, you might want to find out about your local laws about things like having dogs on the patio where food is being served. All these legal issues should be investigated before you spend a penny on developing your patio space.

2. Clean, Clean, and Clean Again

If you are reopening a patio space after a winter break, you definitely need to clean. If you have concrete, you may need a thorough power washing. If you already have tables and chairs, you will need to clean them based on what type of material used. You may find that your seating is looking a little worse for wear. If so, consider if it can be restored by painting. If not, you might consider replacing your seating as this will be one of the most important parts of your customers’ outdoor dining experience. Make sure it’s good.

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3. Lighting

Unless you are just serving breakfast and lunch, you are going to need appropriate lighting. People will need to read menus so make sure you have sufficient lighting. Be sure you test it out under real conditions. And keep in mind that whatever lighting solution you decide upon, it will need to hold up to inclement weather when not in use. This is one area where having some professional help is often worth the investment.

4. Shade

On the other hand, if you plan to use your outdoor space during the daytime hours, you probably want some type of shade for your customers. If you don’t have some sort of canopy, tent or awning, you can often get by using some type of umbrellas. Umbrellas can be as simple as the type that thread the pole through your outdoor patio furniture. Keep in mind that these types of umbrellas may need to be taken down during inclement weather or you may want them to be removed during the evening hours. And they may require space to store them.

There are also larger umbrellas that feature offset arms that allow them to be strategically placed. While these types of umbrellas are typically more expensive, they do offer some additional flexibility by allowing you to move them around your patio area depending on your needs.

5. Pest Control is Primary

Having food outdoors will attract all types of unwanted pests. You need to have a plan to control these issues in advance because trying to fix the problem once you have an infestation can be vastly more difficult, not to mention expensive. Flies, mosquitoes, bees and other flying pests can be attracted to your patio dining area. If you can screen the area in, this can be quite effective. But if that is not feasible, consider using mosquito-repelling plants or using citronella lanterns around the perimeter.

You also need to think about garbage on your patio. If you are going to have trash receptacles outside, be sure that they have solid lids and empty the garbage frequently. Open garbage can attract all manner of insects and rodents.

And finally, be sure that your staff pays close attention to cleaning up the entire area after closing. Leaving crumbs and other debris is an open invitation to unwanted pests. In some situations, you may want to consult a pest management professional to help prevent or remedy problems.

6. Extend the Season

Even when the summer ends, you can still get some use out of your restaurant patio space well into the cooler months with some preparation. Outdoor patio heaters can be an excellent investment that will allow you to use your outdoor space for an extended period of time.

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Some spaces may be appropriate for a firepit or an outdoor fireplace. But again, be sure you know your local restrictions on having an open flame. And you definitely want to think about your space design when having people navigate around an open flame… especially if drinks are involved. The last thing you need is a lawsuit because of poor design!

7. Have a Plan For Mother Nature

It would be great if it was always sunny and warm during the months you have your patio open, but let’s face it… that just isn’t realistic. And worse still, you can’t always predict when bad weather is going to hit.

So first, you need to have a plan for weatherizing your restaurant patio space. This may involve taking down umbrellas, moving furniture under cover or moving any serving/cooking equipment inside. But even more important is a plan for when the patio is occupied and nasty weather hits. Now you will need to move your customers inside. How will you manage this? Be prepared to shut your patio space down quickly… and when the weather passes, you will need a plan to set things back up quickly as well. Training your staff is critical. Make sure that everyone knows their assignments and train your staff to execute the plan effectively.


If you take care of your customers’ outdoor dining experience you can gain a real competitive advantage during the warm days of summer. Treat them well and they will come back….and tell their friends!

What other things would you recommend for a great patio experience for a restaurant or bar? Tell us in the comments below.

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Comments

  1. Joan

    Wow great company and I am so impressed by your website articles! I was just looking for a medium size pie 🥧 plate and your company has one!

  2. Carl Gutierrez

    great tips for patios! 🙂

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