So You Want an Outdoor Bar Area

When the weather is pleasant enough to sit outside well into the evening, a comfortable, inviting outdoor bar is a great way to get customers to stick around and enjoy your nightly menu specials. Whether it's an addition to your already thriving restaurant or a standalone seasonal concept, there are a few hallmarks of any successful outdoor bar.

That includes some obvious details, such as comfortable furniture and the right bar equipment. To get the most out of your new space, it's important to consider other essential elements, including the drinkware you choose – which may be determined by local laws dictating which types are allowed in outdoor seating environments.

Because the bar itself is the main attraction, we'll focus first on setting it up. There are several ways to do this, ranging from a full-fledged permanent bar with an outdoor seating area to small-scale portable solutions that are covered or wheeled into storage at the end of the night. Let's look at the simplest solutions first.

Choosing a Portable Bar

A portable bar is an easy way to serve drinks outdoors without committing to a permanent setup. These can be wheeled almost anywhere, and while they're particularly popular for setting up temporary bars at special events, they can be used on restaurant patios as well.

The simplest type of portable bar is a cooler cart that makes it possible to keep canned and bottled beverages cold. Other models offer basic amenities – such as ice bins, speed rails, and storage room for glasses and supplies – so bartenders can offer more than a bottled beer or can of wine. Some models even include soda guns that can be attached to portable pre-mix systems. The most economic options are usually built with lightweight plastics that can handle the elements and being wheeled around but might lack the aesthetic appeal expected at upscale venues and private events.

More durable portable bars are made of stainless steel and may feature wood-grain accents to help match the decor and theme of your establishment. Deluxe models designed for more intensive bartending often include sinks with potable water supplies for rinsing and washing drink prep equipment. Invest in one of these higher-end portable bars when you need a more long-term solution to serving drinks outdoors but can't justify permanent alterations to your building.

Whether you opt for a simple cooler cart or a portable bar that offers a full range of mixology capabilities, it can serve as an affordable, temporary solution for serving drinks to a few dozen patrons at small events or for installing an outdoor bar that eliminates the need for guests to return inside to replenish their drinks.

Building a Permanent Outdoor Bar

If your vision of an outdoor bar involves a more permanent solution to act as the main attraction of your eatery and serve hundreds of patrons a day, a portable bar won't be able to keep up with demand. Instead, you should consider building a permanent outdoor bar as an expansion of your building, one with a back bar that can be outfitted with full-size bar equipment and closed up after hours or during the winter.

Building a permanent outdoor bar is an ambitious undertaking, but it can be well worth the investment if you create a setting that invites customers to spend their evenings there. You'll need to hire a contractor to create an addition to your building or make the necessary modifications to your current patio. This could be as simple as modifying a wall to add a service area to your outdoor seating section or as complex as building a mini kitchen with all the proper utilities to service your equipment.

Whatever the project might entail, you'll almost certainly have to get approval from your local building authority. Your contractor should provide complete plans of what you intend to do, and the authorities at city hall will verify if it's permitted by law and within your local building codes.

Investing in the Right Bar Equipment

Once you have the plans for your bar expansion sorted out, your next step is to pick the equipment you'll put in your bar. For a complete discussion of bar equipment and supplies, see our article on equipping your bar for success.

Although your necessary supplies will vary depending on your exact setup, a successful outdoor bar most likely requires items from the following categories:

• Commercial refrigeration to keep all your drinks and mixers chilled to the right temperature
• Commercial ice machines to have plenty of ice on hand for frozen cocktails and drinks served on the rocks
• Bar sinks to maintain proper procedures for rinsing, washing, and sanitizing
• Bartending supplies to give your employees the tools they need to serve your customers' favorite drinks

In addition to heavy equipment for chilling and preparing drinks, you'll want to choose the best bar drinkware for serving your patrons' favorites. This choice can be a little challenging for an outdoor bar because many local laws prohibit the use of glass drinkware in outdoor bar areas for the safety of customers and passersby.

Luckily, there's a wide range of plastic bar glasses available that mimic the look and feel of real glass. These come in all the major barware styles, including cocktail glasses, beer glasses, wine glasses, and shooters. Most can be washed in a commercial dishwasher and reused again and again.

Selecting Your Outdoor Furniture

Nearly as important as serving delectable drinks is having a comfortable environment for your guests to enjoy. The wide selection of outdoor furniture ranges from simple, economical plastic and metal to seating with upholstered cushions. Your ultimate choice will depend on the budget set aside for that purchase, your bar's particular style, and your customers' expectations.

Plastic chairs are generally the most affordable, easy-to-maintain type of chair.

• Plastic is durable and endures the elements very well. Many chairs in this category are made with a plastic body and metal legs, while others are made entirely of plastic.
• Plastic chairs may be inappropriate for upscale venues, but they're just fine for casual neighborhood watering holes.

Metal chairs vary dramatically in price, ranging from simple folding chairs to premium steel mesh chairs.

• Most outdoor metal chairs are made of steel or iron and coated with a protective layer of paint or epoxy to prevent corrosion and scratches. If the chairs are handled roughly, this coating can be chipped or damaged, leaving the steel underneath vulnerable to rust.
• Aluminum chairs, even those made of bare polished metal, resist corrosion and rusting, but they're less resistant to bending and denting than steel and iron chairs.

The ultimate outdoor seating solution is furniture with upholstered cushions, which bring the greatest level of comfort – but also the greatest demand for care and the highest price tag. While outdoor cushions are made to withstand the elements season after season, they must be regularly cleaned to maintain an ideal appearance. Outdoor chair cushions should be taken inside when they're not being used, especially when the patio is closed for the season. If the cushions start to look dirty, they should be cleaned according to the manufacturer's guidelines or sent to a professional cleaning service.

Many of the previous considerations also apply when you're choosing an outdoor bar table. Table bases are almost universally built of metal, either rugged steel or corrosion-resistant aluminum. Many items in this category include the table top and base together as one piece, but bases and tops are also sold separately so you can choose the pair that best matches your needs.

Table tops are primarily available in three styles: laminate, metal mesh, or solid.

• Laminate is the most economical option. This material is available in various colors and finishes, including imitation wood, granite, marble, and other natural patterns. It's easy to clean but doesn't endure wear and tear as well as some alternatives.
• Metal mesh tables offer a durable, low-maintenance solution. These don't collect water, so they're ideal for patios that are subject to occasional rainstorms. They're generally built with coated iron or steel, which makes them heavy duty but susceptible to rust if they're damaged or neglected. Lighter-weight aluminum mesh tables are also available.
• Solid metal and wood tables each provide a high-end aesthetic, though they do demand the most attention for care and cleaning and may come at a higher initial cost.

Weatherizing Your Outdoor Seating

Outdoor bars are particularly popular on pleasant evenings and warm days but investing in some weatherization equipment can extend the usability of your space, in terms of both your dayparts and seasonal use. Providing shade and heat can transform an unpleasant table into one that customers are happy to use.