Nothing brings people together quite like a meal outdoors. When in season, a club’s patio becomes the area where members spend most of their time dining, socializing and bonding with other members. Club members have been utilizing patio spaces more than ever, and clubs are now finding ways to create enjoyable and memorable open-air dining spaces and experiences.
A well-designed open-air dining area lets members dine out with friends and family comfortably in a relaxed setting, usually resulting in an increase in the total amount of time spent by diners. With amenities such as fire pits, televisions, retractables roofs and a mix of seating options with plenty of space, clubs are creating atmospheres for members that are conducive to longer stays. This increased time translates into increased revenue, giving staff the opportunity to use upselling or cross-selling techniques.
Outdoor dining spaces increase a club’s eating capacity and enable clubs to serve more members simultaneously. This extra seating can reduce wait time, increase revenue and increase member satisfaction with their dining experience. Having a separate outdoor dining area also gives clubs another space for private events and parties, while still allowing members to dine indoors.
Having indoor and outdoor dining areas allows a club to serve different demographics. Perhaps live music is playing in the outdoor dining area, members who want to enjoy the live entertainment can eat outside, while guests who would rather enjoy a quiet dining experience may eat indoors. Open-air dining areas also have more appeal to parents and pet owners (if pets are allowed), expanding the demographic even further. These spaces allow parents with children to dine with less concern that their children may disturb other diners.
With open-air dining, members want to relax and enjoy a nice meal or drink with an outdoor ambiance, fresh air and access to nature. In order to provide the optimal dining experience, it is important to offer members ample room, comfortable seating, fire pits, shaded areas, ambient lighting and spectacular views. Clubs want to deliver a superior experience to their members—an experience that they will appreciate and that keeps them coming back to dine at the club more often.