5 Tips for Generating Revenue with an Outdoor Bar

Courtyards, patios, balconies, and other unused outdoor spaces have taken on a whole new life over the past two years with the need for well-ventilated dining areas. 

These available spaces also provide ideal settings for outdoor bars or hybrid dining and drinking spots.

If you’re thinking about re-allocating some of your outdoor space, portable bar equipment that’s well-appointed with essential tools can help you quickly convert underutilized spaces into revenue-producing square footage.

Tip 1: Create a Focal Point

A great-looking bar creates a focal point and sets the mood, attracting customers like bees to honey! A variety of materials that can withstand the elements are now available, so outdoor bars can look just as stylish as indoor ones, seamlessly carrying your indoor ambience into outdoor serving areas.

FWE Weather-All Series Bars are constructed entirely of stainless steel. Attractive and functional, these portable bars are tough enough to be used outside year-round and are even NSF listed. They can be set up for any type of beverage service needed: conventional bottles and cans, post-mix, pre-mix, and bag-in-box dispensing.

FWE stainless steel bars have a sanitary, sealed-in cold plate sink with a 60 pound ice capacity. Built tough to stand up under years of continuous use, each bar’s tubular base frames are precision welded top to bottom to prevent sagging or twisting. 

FWE offers a variety of sizes, styles, and matching ice carts and back bars to complete your set-up.

Portable CamBars by Cambro provide a polished, yet affordable and functional beverage service area. CamBars are made of impact-resistant, waterproof plastic that is easy to clean and transport. The service side of the bar provides a convenient workspace, speed rail for bottle storage, and open shelves for Camrack glass racks and other important supplies.

BAR540, shown here, comes with a 5-bottle speed rail and 80-pound ice sink for bottle, can, or mixer service. Mid-size BAR650 and large BAR730 come with a 7-bottle speed rail and an 80-pound ice sink with cover. For additional features, select a Basic, Pre-mix, and Post-mix system. 

Tip 2: Merchandise Bottled Beverages

Who can resist the appeal of iced-down bottles of beer, cider, and seltzer that promise instant, ice cold gratification at the pop of a top?

The easy to clean Glastender Mobile Ice Bin is built with stainless steel inside and out to withstand demanding work environments. Foamed-in-place insulation and a PVC breaker strip around the top minimize condensation and maximize ice life.

A built-in on/off drain valve and radius interior corners make it easy and convenient to drain and clean. 

Also available with enclosed base, this sleek 18" by 30" merchandiser has a 30” high work surface and four heavy-duty rubberized casters, two locking.

Tip 3: Bring in Tools with Flair and Function

A well-equipped bartender is a happy bartender, and a few flashy tools can add just the right splash of movement and energy to your outdoor space.

The Barfly Basic Mixology Set offers one convenient item number (M37101) to instantly give you a basic bar set-up to suit the style you’re going for. Available in stainless steel, gold plated, copper plated, antique copper, and gun-metal black finishes, this coordinated basic set includes a Cocktail Shaker Set, 1 x 2 oz. Jigger, 13 3/16” Bar Spoon, and a Heavy-Duty Spring Bar Strainer.

The Barfly Deluxe Mixology Set takes it up several notches to provide a vast array of gear for creating virtually any specialty concoction with a single item number (M37102). Also available in stainless steel, gold plated, copper plated, antique copper, and gun-metal black finishes, this comprehensive set includes everything in the basic set plus:

• 
  Fine Mesh Strainer
• 9 3/8” Precision Plus™ Straight Tong
• 11 13/16” Bar Spoon with Muddler End
• Y-Peeler, Black
• Channel Knife
• Composite Muddler
• Japanese Ice Pick
• Cast Aluminum Juicer
• Orange Peeler
• Citrus Zester
• Waiter’s Corkscrew
• 4.3" Bar Knife, Rounded Tip, Wavy Edge
• 4" Bar Knife, Pointed Tip, Plain Edge

Once your bartender has shaken or stirred to perfection, it’s time to top off that signature cocktail with the help of the Tablecraft Ultimate Garnish Station™. 

This dishwasher safe station has one 1-quart and four 1-pint removable bins for storing lemons, olives, cherries, and other garnishes, which can all be covered and protected from insects and other outdoor contaminants with a translucent, flip-down lid. 

On either side of the 24.75"x7.25"x6.25" station is a 2 compartment caddy, providing a total of 4 compartments for cocktail picks, stirrers, and umbrellas.

Tip 4: Provide Support for Dirty Work and Heavy Lifting

The right tools help staff tackle the least-liked parts of their jobs safely, faster, and with less effort.

The Keg Dolly by New Age Industrial provides a safer, easier way for staff to move a single keg up to 16¾" in diameter. The three lips up and five lips down on the dolly platform double overall strength, ease loading and unloading, and hold the keg in place during transport. The heavy-duty, low profile construction is easy to maneuver on four 3" platform type casters. Non-marking wheels protect your floors and minimize noise. 

The Keg Dolly also has a 5-year warranty and a lifetime guarantee against rust and corrosion.

Made of 100% non-woven cotton, highly absorbent and durable Blu™ Towels from Mercer Culinary provide exceptional liquid and dirt pick-up and an ability to clean a variety of surfaces.

The perfect ecological alternative to woven cotton dish towels, these 100% biodegradable and compostable towels are steam sterilized to be clean from the start. 

Designed to be used 4 to 6 times, towels are disposable, resulting in less laundry and lower water, chemical, and energy consumption. 

Each towel comes packaged as a 1 3/4″ diam. x 3/8″ puck that expands to a full-sized 9 1/2″ x 23 1/2″ towel in seconds. Sold in packs of 12, 50, and 100 pucks.

Camracks keep clean glassware at-the-ready while keeping it sanitary and protected from outside contaminants. 

Open inside compartments provide thorough circulation of water and promote quick drying, while closed outer walls keep fingers and contaminants out. Closed walls also reduce risk of breakage and injury, while remaining easy to lift and transport with molded-in handles on each rack. 

Used with the Camrack cover and Camdolly, the system is completely enclosed, so glassware stays clean and sanitary in storage, transport, and public serving areas.

The Cambro Service Cart Pro pairs a superior weight capacity comparable to traditional carts with modern design that’s suitable for front and back of house use. 

Ergonomic, recessed handles are molded into both ends of the cart for a smaller footprint, while improving maneuvering between kitchen, cooler, and outdoor bar areas. 

Smooth plastic surfaces wipes down easily for cleaning. Optional bins can easily be connected on either side to provide extra storage and keep items sanitary.

Tip 5: Outfit Your Team for Comfort and Style

Make your crew look and feel great, even when working outdoor areas on steamy summer nights. Mercer Culinary Brewer Shirts are made of 65/35 poly cotton poplin with a moisture wicking mesh back for comfort on the floor or behind the bar.

Choose from black, gray, white, and navy blue. Shirt fronts have 2 chest pockets, one with pencil holder. 

Shirt backs can be silkscreened to promote your brand. Contact us for details.

Constructed with a molded-in, durable non-skid surface, sleek handles, and 6 bold colors, the Cambro Epictread Tray is perfect for bars. 

With personalization options on top and bottom, Epictread provides a stylish, lightweight serving alternative. Epictread is dishwasher safe, is NSF listed, and has built-in stacking lugs for quick, hygienic drying and perfect stacking.

For bar and dining solutions tailored to your operation, indoors and out, contact us!