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During the warm summer months, beer gardens are typically packed full of customers soaking up the sunshine with their favourite beverage. But when the temperature starts to drop and the winter months approach, you may be thinking about closing your beer garden and packing away your outdoor furniture.

However, did you know that it is possible to have an outdoor pub seating area that you can use all year round?

At Aspiration Blinds, we have delivered numerous solutions to pubs and bars, providing a space for year-round use.

With our awning, retractable canopies, louvred verandas, external screens and glass systems, we can help you to make the most of your entire venue by giving the opportunity to fully utilise your outdoor seating throughout the year.

Beating the British Weather

With British weather being unpredictable and often rainy, many beer gardens are left unused for the majority of the year.

Fortunately, Aspiration Blinds can help you to utilise your outdoor areas all year round, with solutions such as retractable canopies which can withstand wind speeds of up to Beaufort 10 (63mph).

Rain also doesn’t have to be a concern when you opt for a system that allows rainwater to be guided down the sides or diverted through a concealed guttering within the structure.

Ideas for Outdoor Pub Seating Areas

Sheltered Outdoor Areas

The first step to creating an outdoor area is to create shelter. This is especially important in the UK, where we often have unpredictable weather, including rain, wind, snow and, occasionally, sunshine.

Retractable Canopies 

Retractable canopies offer great flexibility thanks to their ability to create shade and shelter when extended and total sunshine when retracted. 

With a robust structure, you can count on a retractable canopy to keep you covered from the cold, wind and rain, without moving about or rattling from strong gusts of wind.

Louvred Verandas

Louvred verandas also provide a great solution for pub owners looking to increase outdoor seating space. 

The louvres are fully adjustable, so they can be tilted according to shading preferences or can be closed completely, allowing total overhead protection from rain and snow.

Combining style with function, louvred verandas are a fantastic way to create a sheltered outdoor seating area while still looking great.

What’s more, these systems can also be complemented with lights, heaters, external screen walls or even sliding glass doors for full weather protection.

Outdoor Furniture

In order to create a great outdoor seating area for your pub, you’ll need furniture that is comfortable, looks great and fits your pub’s aesthetic.

Thankfully, by providing weatherproofing with a veranda, you have more options for the type of furniture you can use in your outdoor area. Here are some of our favourite furniture ideas.

High Tables and Bar Stools

Single high tables and bar stools are excellent for fitting in smaller spaces where a regular table and chairs wouldn’t fit.

These are great for small groups of customers just looking to have drinks and bar snacks, freeing up larger tables for bigger groups and customers who wish to dine.

By optimising your space and utilising your tables more effectively, you can seat and therefore serve more customers, improving your bottom line.

Lounge Areas

If you’re after a more chilled vibe in your beer garden, you may wish to create comfy lounge areas, using outdoor sofas and coffee tables. This is great for hosting big groups of people when there is no room inside the pub.

Table and Bench Sets

Table and bench sets provide an all-in-one-solution that allows multiple people to join a table. More often than not, people are willing to squish up to fit more on a bench than they could typically fit on chairs, making them ideal for seating big groups.

Lighting

Providing enough light in your outdoor area is essential to make it appear warm and inviting to guests. Fairy lights wrapped around trees and fences can make the space seem especially cosy, and are often very cost efficient to run, especially if you use solar powered ones.

If you choose to use overhead lights, ensure they aren’t too bright or glaring, as this can give customers a headache or make the area feel cold.

Candles placed on tables and dotted around the area in lanterns can give your beer garden a gentle ambience and set a more romantic tone for couples. Here you can either use real candles or LED ones as a safer option for family friendly pubs.

Heating

Although customers are sheltered from the rain and wind under a veranda, low temperatures during the colder months may put them off sitting outside.

Fortunately, you can keep the space warm by installing outdoor heaters. You can opt for large ones, designed to heat the entire space, or smaller ones fitted above each individual table.

Style

Finally, add the finishing touches to your outdoor areas with decor such as planters, trellis, statues, mirrors and artwork that matches the theme of your pub.

This can bring the whole place together, transforming it from a bland looking garden to a cosy seating area with character and atmosphere.

Transform Your Outdoor Pub Seating with Aspiration Blinds

Get in touch with our team at Aspiration Blinds in Bolton for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you to create the perfect outdoor seating area for your pub or bar with our premium verandas, awnings and glass screens.