By Noah Rue, Contributor
Most bar owners will agree that the idea of their establishment is to create a place where patrons can come and relax with their friends and erase the stress of the week. While the alcoholic beverages sure offer that much-needed helping hand, so does the decor in your bar. If you are looking for ultimate relaxation, then consider adding more natural and outdoorsy elements to your motif.
Some owners who are looking to integrate more of the outdoors into their establishments worry that doing so requires a major overhaul of their business, but that isn’t always the case. By making small changes and minor modifications, you can start to make a big difference and then go from there. Let’s talk about some ideas for doing just that.
Why Bring Nature Indoors?
So why is it a smart idea to integrate the outdoors into your bar? The main reason is that by doing so, you create a more relaxed atmosphere that people will want to return to time and time again. Science tells us that being around nature creates feelings of ease and happiness in addition to reducing unwanted stress. This is likely because the outdoors is really our natural habitat where we are taken away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It helps us to feel safe because that is where we belong.
Nature can help a bar setting and the patrons within by providing an elevated feeling of ease that many people desire. After a long day of work, people need to feel soothed, both mentally and physically. Nature can play a part in helping us regroup. When we are around nature, we feel better and the resulting positive feelings lead to a reduction of blood pressure and heart rate. Exposure to the natural world has even been found to help those with feelings of depression and anxiety come back to a healthier, spiritual place.
So, if changing the style, appearance, or policies of your bar can provide all of this to your patrons and have them coming back for more, the only question is, what are you waiting for?
While we will discuss many ideas for a more natural, outdoorsy bar, keep in mind that you don’t have to go through major renovations. Instead, you could change a policy, such as allowing pets inside the establishment. Pets are also great for mental health because they ease loneliness and they also help us with physical wellness, as pet owners often have lower cholesterol levels than non-owners. While allowing pets in your bar can bring in more business and create a calming atmosphere, some caution and planning are required. You’ll need to put proper guidelines in place, so things don’t get out of hand. You’ll also want to ensure that all pets are vaccinated against diseases and that the owners have pet insurance so you don’t put any people or animals at risk.
Bring the Outdoors Inside
Those who just want to create more of an outdoorsy flair to their establishments can start by putting house plants near the actual bar, in the corners of the room, or by planting a grass wall. You don’t have to go overboard, as you could start by putting a small potted plant or cactus on each table and go from there. Even house plants have been found to present the same stress-relieving properties and they can even improve air quality while providing additional oxygen to the room.
If plants aren’t your thing, then consider making some cosmetic changes to the bar that will provide that more outdoorsy feel. Consider a paint job of the interior walls. Go for greens and browns to give the appearance of a forest. You can do burnt orange, yellow, and pink to give the appearance of a sunset if that is more your speed. You could also ditch the paint and instead replace walls with large windows that will allow natural light, which will not only create a brighter atmosphere but may also save you on lighting and electricity costs.
There are other natural elements that you can add to your bar as well, such as a water feature like a small fountain in the middle of the room or on a wall. For more subtle decoration, consider adding fruit as an element of your interior design. Bowls of lemons, limes, or mint can create a visual and fantastic smelling element. You can also consider adding bowls of cool rocks or shells on the tables or create a beachwood centerpiece on the bar.
Create Outdoor Space with a Patio
Another way to integrate nature into your bar and boost revenue is to put most of your effort into an outdoor patio. Whether this is a beer garden, seating for diners, or anything in between, your patrons will be excited about the option to stay indoors or venture outside to drink out in the fresh air. The best tip is to position your patio so the guests have the best view possible. If there is a famous landmark, a particularly gorgeous beach, or mountain range, a patio will give your guests a reason to venture outside, and you can add the chance to see gorgeous views into your marketing materials.
The great thing about a patio is that even if you don’t think you have room, there is likely a place to have that outdoor seating. If the only land you have is in the back, then you may have more room for chairs, a DJ booth, and more. Many bar patrons like to “people watch”, so if you are on a busy sidewalk, consider a front patio. If you don’t have any room in either of those places, then how about a rooftop patio? If you have a safe roof and the building permits to back it up, then a rooftop area can provide sweeping views of the city, which may be enough to bring in new customers.
You can add additional ambiance to your outdoor patio with flower or fruit centerpieces. At night, string lighting can provide a lovely glow and consider heat lamps for the chillier nights. Just remember to provide plenty of shade so your guests aren’t sweating in the sun. You can provide that glorious shade with outdoor umbrellas or a moveable patio cover that can be rolled out on hotter days.
As you can see, there are many ways to use the outdoors to create a new atmosphere for your bar or restaurant. A change of pace can differentiate you from the competition and may just make you the hottest spot in town.
