Pub, anyone?
Let's be honest, who doesn't love a British pub garden? Whether it's a sunny afternoon, a crisp evening, or even a slightly drizzly day, there's something undeniably charming about enjoying a drink or a bite to eat al fresco. But beyond the beer and lazy lunches, a pub's choice of outdoor furniture plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining customers. We'll explore how comfort, durability, and style all contribute to creating a welcoming outdoor experience that will keep your clients coming back.
1. Decide whether you want a revamp or to buy new
It could be that you have enough outside furniture for your garden or courtyard already. However, some items may have suffered in the winter weather, so before Spring kicks in, it’s always a good idea to audit what you have and what condition it’s in.
Ultimately, you need to make sure that your furniture is safe. The last thing you want is a customer sitting on a faulty or broken piece of outdoor pub furniture.
Of course, you must also consider that the state of your furniture, either inside or outside of your venue, is reflection on your brand. The last thing you want is your customers first impression of your pub to be shabby chairs and tables that they don’t want to use.
Shown here: Futani Armchairs in Light Blue, Extrema Table Top in Cement, Alby Dining Table Base
2. Consider your outside space
The external areas of pubs and bars can often be under-utilised spaces that could play an important part in driving revenue for the business. A well-designed outdoor area can create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, attracting customers who enjoy alfresco dining or a coffee and catch-up in the sunshine. It can expand your venue’s overall seating capacity and therefore profits, accommodating more customers during peak hours.
Although you’ll want to increase seating capacity, it’s important to not fill your outside space with too much furniture, making it feel cluttered and restricting traffic flow. Ensure there's ample space for customers, particularly wheelchair users or those with prams and buggies, to move around comfortably without bumping into tables or chairs. You’ll also need to make sure there’s easy access for staff to serve drinks and clear tables.
If the space allows, you can create distinct seating areas with some separation between groups to enhance privacy. Use plants, screens, or strategically placed furniture to define different zones.
It’s also a good idea to keep flexibility in mind and choose furniture that can be easily rearranged to accommodate different group sizes and events. Stackable or foldable chairs and tables are a great option that space when not in use. Check out our new Flexfurn range of furniture for events and functions that’s designed to stack and even has an optional trolley, meaning you can move and transport it with ease.
Shown here: Beacon
Round Picnic Table, Klasse Parasol in
Grey
3. How to choose the right outdoor furniture for your pub
When ordering outdoor furniture for your pub or bar, there’s lots to choose from. At Eclipse Furniture, we offer everything from Picnic Tables and Benches to Outdoor Dining Chairs, Tables, and Bar Stools and more relaxed Sofa and Lounge furniture that’s suitable for outdoor use.
As mentioned previously, to maximise the versatility of your space, it’s a good idea to create a variety of different zones offering a choice of seating for different sized groups. If you’re meeting a friend for a coffee, you don’t necessarily want the formality of sitting at a dining table. Outdoor coffee tables and lounge chairs are becoming more popular and offer a more laid-back solution.
A range of chairs and tables in different sizes means you can cater for people enjoying a drink on their own, a couple on date night or a huge family gathering. To save the guesswork, we offer ready-made outdoor furniture sets featuring our most popular products.
Shown
here: Siesta Cross
75 Bar Stools in Taupe, Siesta Cross Side Chairs
in Olive Green
Outdoor Fixed Seating is another popular option, particularly for patios and courtyards or external spaces at the front of bars and gastro-pubs. We’re pleased to be able to offer a variety of durable banquette seating options suitable for outdoor use, including upholstered and non-upholstered styles.
Sitting outside a pub or bar is a great way to relax but there’s nothing quite like the British weather to get in the way! It’s always worth investing in commercial parasols, helping you to utilise your outside space more effectively, even during cooler or rainy weather, thanks to our waterproof fabrics and optional infrared heaters.
Shown
here: an example of our
Commercial Parasols
4. The best materials for commercial outdoor furniture
Commercial outdoor furniture needs to be strong, durable and able to withstand the elements. All the outdoor pub furniture we offer at Eclipse Furniture has been rigorously tested to ensure longevity but is also quick and easy to clean and maintain, ensuring that your outdoor dining areas are not only stylish but hygienic too.
Here are some of the most popular materials for long-lasting outdoor contract furniture:
Aluminium
Aluminium is a great choice for outdoor furniture. It is rust-proof and will stand the test of time, even when exposed to the harshest of weather types, be it icy snow or blistering sunshine. It’s also lightweight and easy to move, meaning you can rearrange your space without requiring a gym membership! Aluminium also has some great antibacterial properties, so it’s a great choice for keeping your outside areas clean and hygienic.
From left to right: Arini Armchair, Cellini Bar Stool,
Troy
Mid-Height Table Base
Rattan
The beauty of modern outdoor rattan is that it’s typically made from synthetic materials that you can leave outside, and won’t rot, crack or fade easily, making it perfect for year-round use. What’s more, most rattan pieces come with washable showerproof cushions, offering an extra level of comfort for your customers.
From left to right: Palm Stacking Armchair, Bentley Outdoor Dining Set
Wood
Perfect if you want a natural look for your outside space, outdoor wooden furniture is available in varieties including teak, oak and chestnut. Which one you go for is generally down to budget, however, whichever you choose, you must remember to treat them to keep them resistant to any kind of harsh weather and climate conditions. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the wood in the furniture has been sustainably sourced, making it kinder to the environment.
From left to right: Georgia
Robinia Folding Side Chair, Linden
Poseur Dining Set, Munster
Oak Poseur Barrel
Polypropylene
Polypropylene furniture such as our extensive range from Siesta Exclusive, is lightweight and requires little to no maintenance. It’s strong and durable, resistant to moisture, and is UV and weather resistant. Polypropylene furniture is affordable and comes in a wide variety of styles and colours, from classic shapes in muted shades to bright and vibrant contemporary statement pieces.
From left to right: Air XL
Armchair, Victor Bar
Stool 75, Sky Folding Dining Table
Make the most of your outdoor space
The external space of a pub or bar needs to be treated as an extension of the inside. It takes more than just plonking a few picnic tables outside and hoping for the best. Always opt for contract outdoor pub furniture – unlike domestic furniture, it’s been specially designed to be strong and durable and will have been tested for use in high-traffic commercial areas.
It’s best to start planning your outdoor furniture during the winter months to give you plenty of time to make the right choices and get everything in place. Take a look at our extensive offering of outdoor furniture and start preparing for the Spring season now. If you’d like any help in choosing outdoor furniture that’s suitable for your venue, please don’t hesitate to call one of our friendly sales advisors on 01452 336 520 or email sales@eclipsefurniture.co.uk.
