Making Your Rooftop Bar Great
After over a year, restaurants and bars finally see a summer freer of COVID-19. Although safety guidelines will remain in place through the recovery period, there’s a shift as customers eagerly “return to normal,” or as close as they can get. Many establishments decided to open up a rooftop bar. This complies with regulations but also acts as a warm welcome back to normal.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Decorate Your Space
Last summer, many businesses rapidly closed and reopened over and over again. Plenty already opened rooftop seating, to allow some dine-in customers during the worst of the pandemic. If that’s the case for you, reopen that same area but with a focus on this year’s trends.
While setting up the rooftop bar, deck it out with decor that matches your indoor area. Really bring your aesthetic together, but also incorporate greenery for an outdoorsy vibe that emphasizes the onset of summer. Then finally, top off the vibe with a menu to match. You may consider rotating menus with margaritas, house specials, and experimental cocktails to cool down on hot summer nights.
Remember Functionality
What do you need to run your rooftop bar smoothly? That’s just as important as making the space look and feel nice. As this past year has proved, we need to prepare for anything. Consider features like retractable glass walls to use when it gets chilly again, without sacrificing the stunning views. If your local governance allows, you might reopen indoor seating nearby. This lets guests ease back into full service at their own pace.
Then, make a tasty food menu to go with the drinks. Seasonal specials may differ from your usual selection of bar food. For example, maybe you offer veggie-based appetizers in accordance with the trend toward healthier eating. Perhaps your guests prefer seafood if your rooftop bar is close to the ocean.
Of course, continue offering your usuals to sate your regulars and maintain your brand. You may create a rooftop bar menu by picking and choosing from the full one downstairs, keeping in mind servers will have to travel farther.
Set the Rooftop Bar Apart
Why do your favorite patrons prefer you over all the other options? Maybe you have an unbeatable view, a poolside bar up on the roof or you’re a trendy spot for influencers to take pictures. Find what makes your brand unique and emphasize that in your advertising and promotions.
Seize opportunities to connect with the community and firmly establish your brand. Having a rooftop bar at all is a good start, but what else are you doing to make yourself the best attraction around? Hire a mixologist to create specialty drinks one night a week and wow your customers, or a happy hour two-for-one promotion. Whatever your niche, find it and work it. This both draws in more customers and creates a unique, successful business.
Photo by Morgane Le Breton on Unsplash
Point of Sale and Your Rooftop Bar
Equip the rooftop bar with a smart POS system to make it as efficient as possible. For example, eatOS Point of Sale has workforce management features that streamline communication between the front and back of house, mobile ordering so customers can have a contact-free experience even when they’re sitting in your establishment, and so much more. An investment in advanced technology will set up your rooftop bar for future success and growth.
eatOS offers an all-in-one cloud-based eco-system exclusively for restaurants. From Point of Sale to Contactless Ordering, Pay & Order at Table, Kitchen Display System, Customer Facing Display, Online Ordering APP / Website and Workforce Management there is everything to help a restaurant succeed no matter the size. Click Here to Schedule a demo to learn more about how your restaurant can make a smooth transition into the world of restaurant technology made simple.
