Outdoor Restaurant Bar Stools

Commercial Outdoor Bar Stools: What You Need to Know

Attractive outdoor restaurant bar stools can help you create a comfortable, stylish aesthetic for your outdoor bar, drawing foot traffic and increasing your total capacity without adding expensive interior space. Commercial-grade outdoor bar stools need to be made of tougher material than both indoor and residential models – they must withstand exposure to the elements and exposure to the public. If you find the right commercial patio stools, though, you'll be able to reap the benefits of a long-lasting, durable product.

Many restaurant patio stools are slotted to enable rain to drip through and dry without employee intervention. You'll also need to choose from stools with or without arms or backs and from a variety of materials.

Common Questions About Outdoor Restaurant Bar Stools

What material should I choose?

Our outdoor restaurant bar stools come in a variety of materials, but the two most common are aluminum and stainless steel. These two materials are popular for their anti-corrosive properties and durability, which make them last much longer against the elements than some other materials might. Stainless steel performs better than aluminum in most applications and is correspondingly more expensive. Stainless steel is heavier than aluminum as well, which makes it more difficult to transport to different locations as needed. The tradeoff comes in stainless steel's superior strength. It's less likely than aluminum to bend or dent under pressure, meaning you won't have to replace stainless steel bar stools as often as aluminum ones.

Aluminum outdoor restaurant bar stool are less expensive and lighter than stainless steel. These are the best choice if you're operating on a budget or plan to move your stools around frequently. Both materials resist corrosion, which is why they're the most common choice for this particular piece of outdoor furniture.

Do I need a stool with arms or a back?

This choice is more a matter of preference than any objective measurements. If your customers would be happy with armrests or a back, then you should choose options that provide those. On the other hand, if you want to store the stool underneath a counter when not in use, options without backs or arms may be preferable. Consider how long your customers will use the outdoor restaurant bar stool on average. If they'll be seated for long periods of time, the value of the comfort provided by arms or a back increase, but if your average customer has one drink and leaves, the less expensive backless, armless stools will better suit your needs.

Why would I need a stacking stool?

Stacking stools take up minimal space in storage, making them great for operators who don't need their commercial outdoor bar stools available all the time. Especially if your bar is only open seasonally, stacking chairs can save you valuable storage space during the off-season, when your chairs aren't helping you make any money.