Beer Garden Design Ideas and Tips

Once summer arrives, many people’s thoughts revolve around the beer garden. They enjoy the sunny days with family and friends and find welcome solitude at a neighbourhood beer garden. Bars and pubs with a beer garden can take advantage of the lengthy summer nights. Provided the space is available, not making good use of it for the summer is a waste.

The Outdoor Area

One of the most important qualities of any beer garden connected to a restaurant, pub or bar is it should not have the same feeling as an indoor space. The space should feel like a garden, and the indoor finishes do not belong here. The space should have outdoor elements such as brick and stone, and the furniture should have the same appearance as outdoor furniture. Many finishes and materials can be used for a lovely garden atmosphere. The space should have a light, relaxing feeling and be as appropriate for a group of friends as a man seeking solitude. If the space is picturesque, it can be placed on social media. This will spread the word and help bring a lot of traffic to the beer garden.

The Weather

The heat and glare must be diffused, which can be accomplished with canopies or coloured glass. Almost anything can be created to decrease the wind factor, including canvas windbreakers, timber or metal frameworks, glass, and willow fencing. A trellis planter is an excellent addition and can be designed on wheels to move wherever required. The position of the seating must consider the direction of the wind. When the weather is terrible, smokers will require adequate coverage. Although a canvas canopy will work, glass placed in a glass or timber framework is a more permanent solution. This will also enable the sun to shine through on warm summer days, and blinds can be fitted when it becomes too bright or hot.

The Style

Before choosing the theme or style, take the time to do some research. The building and walls may have certain characteristics that are best suited to a particular style or can be embellished. If a theme is used inside, this should continue into the beer garden. A good example would be a bar with an Art Deco theme. Art Deco lamps, tiles and statues can easily carry this theme outside. The garden should not have a generic feel but be an extension of the style of the establishment.

The Hidden Areas

The view from the garden should be nice, and nobody wants to take photos of the car parks or the bins in the rubbish area. Timber fencing or screening with fragrant plants can hide the ugly areas.

Local Regulations

Before developing your beer garden, it’s crucial to understand the local regulations, as these can significantly impact your use of the space. First, check if the pub’s outside area is included in the licensed area on the licence plan. If it is not part of the licensed area and you wish to include it, be aware that local residents could have objections. These objections might lead to the refusal of your application or the imposition of strict conditions on using the outside area.

Even if the outside area is not shown on the plan, it may still be possible to use it for certain activities, including alcohol consumption, under specific circumstances. For example, providing hot food and drinks outside, such as through a barbecue, is only licensable between 11 pm and 5 am, but there could be restrictions on this activity on the premises licence. Some licences have conditions that restrict late-night refreshment to inside the premises only, and others may state that the outside area shall not be used for licensable activities.

Additionally, outside areas can be restricted by conditions on a premises licence or planning permission. Conditions might include prohibitions on using the outside area, limitations on the hours of use, or restrictions on the number of people allowed in the area. If your outside area is located on a public highway, you may also need planning permission and a pavement licence to operate legally.

Ensuring your beer garden complies with all relevant local regulations will help avoid any legal issues and ensure smooth operation during the summer months.

The Planting

Flowers make people happy, so use a lot of them. The colours should accentuate the palette of the garden. Sometimes, one or two varieties fail, so having several varieties in each pot and planter is a good idea. Flowers are highly adaptable because as long as holes for the runoff water are accessible, they will grow almost anywhere. This is an excellent opportunity to make the beer garden unique simply by how the flowers are planted and where. A plumber can install a piped watering system so all the flowers and plants are watered according to a timer. The best time for watering is at night, so the runoff water will be gone by morning. In the winter, the planters can be used for trim box hedges and ivy to achieve an evergreen look.

The Smokers

Whenever possible, the space should be divided between smokers and non-smokers. Even if the windows are opened, the smoke can enter the interior and disturb the non-smoking customers. Ashtrays should be placed on the outdoor tables, and a few sand buckets can be used for cigarette butts. The area can easily be cleaned once the garden has closed.

The Lighting

The outdoor fittings should complement the style, whether traditional or modern. Lights are easy to fit into all types of places and objects. LED rope lights look good at a low level, right below the skirting or high on a wall to provide a soft, warm glow. Fittings can often be located that light up and down, providing twice the benefit. The lighting chosen should create a gentle ambience but never be too bright or glare because this may give the customers a headache. Candles were made to grace a garden setting and can be set into ornate or simple bird cages, glass jam jars, metal objects and antique sieves. If the beer garden has a bar, LED strip lights and candles provide a lovely glow in the dark.

Outdoor Bars

Before creating an outdoor bar, make sure to check the regulations. Sometimes, the bar must be in a smoke-free area to prevent the server from inhaling smoke. To help prevent water from collecting in the cracks, use suitable outdoor timber like teak with the most minimal detail possible. Timber will require maintenance, but the look is worth the effort. Since the bar will have to withstand all different types of weather, it is a good idea to top off the chosen finish regularly. Stone countertops work exceptionally well because the water will run off. For security purposes, the under-the-counter fridges should have good locks. Since the counter will be used no matter the weather, a permanent cover should be affixed to protect both the bar and the customers.

Summer Drinks

Despite the fact that this is a beer garden, appealing to the masses is important, and there must be some variety. Everyone’s preference is different when they start drinking during the warm weather. Offering summery cocktails, glasses of bubbly, and fruity ciders will appeal to a wider variety of customers. The summer drinks menu should be planned well in advance and offer as large a selection of drinks as possible.

The Catering

Not only is the drinks menu altered for the summer, but the food should also be. This is especially true for the beer garden. For establishments that do not serve food, sharing plates and nibbles with cheeses, breads and dips will fill an empty stomach and please the guests. Outdoor barbeque catering will usually draw a large crowd. Just the smell of a good barbeque alone will bring a lot of Brits right through the door.

The Furniture

Nothing says “Beer Garden” better than wooden garden furniture that is stylish, strong, and durable. BE Furniture Sales offers a range of teak garden furniture that perfectly fits this description, ensuring comfort and longevity for your outdoor space.

Take a look at some of our high quality outdoor garden furniture for beer gardens, cafes and restaurants: