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Creating a welcoming outdoor pub space can transform any garden into a vibrant social hub.
Whenever the sun is out in the UK, the initial thought for many people is to hit the pub for a cool, refreshing pint and soak up the British summer lifestyle! But what about your garden, could you transform that into a beer garden too? In this article, we will delve into a variety of beer garden ideas, from crafting your own bar to improving privacy and reusing old beer bottles. We’ll cover essential elements like comfortable teak garden furniture, effective heating, and creative decor.
- How to Plan a Beer Garden
- 1. Local Regulations
- 2. Invest in Your Furniture
- 3. Heating & Lighting
- 4. Crafting your own bar
- 5. Planting & Decor
- 6. The Outdoor Area
- 7. The Weather
- 8. The Style
- 9. The Hidden Areas
- 10. Setting the Scene
- 11. Garden’s Privacy
- 12. Recycling Old Beer Bottles
- 13. Grow Your Own Beer
- 14. Covering Customers and Costs
- 15. The Smokers
- 16. Summer Drinks
- 17. The Catering
- Implementing Garden Pub Ideas
- FAQs
- Sources
How to Plan a Beer Garden
There are a lot more considerations to implement when considering your beer garden, no matter whether this is for a pub that you have recently purchased, or simply for a conventional back garden. We have broke each of the factors for you to consider below:
1. Local Regulations
Before embarking on any beer garden ideas, it’s essential to understand local regulations. These can vary depending on your location, so ensure your garden pub meets all legal requirements to avoid any issues down the line. This could include notifying your local council, or even with your neighbours to see if they are happy with you having gatherings in your garden that may proceed into the night.
2. Invest in Your Furniture
Investing in high-quality, durable furniture is crucial for a successful garden pub. Comfortable seating can encourage guests to stay longer and return more frequently. Avoid cheap plastic chairs, and instead opt for classic wooden picnic tables as well as other bench types, comfortable wooden garden lounge furniture, or metal chairs with cushions. These choices are weatherproof and stylish, making your beer garden inviting and practical all year-round.
3. Heating & Lighting
During cooler weather, keeping your guests comfortable and warm is vital. Install infrared heaters that provide immediate warmth and are energy efficient. Lighting is equally important; use LED festoon lights and lamp posts to create a cosy atmosphere. Adequate lighting not only improves the ambiance but also encourages patrons to linger even after sunset.
Learn more with our guide on how to hang festoon lights.
4. Crafting your own bar
Can’t find a pub table to purchase online?
No problem!
One of the most creative beer garden ideas is to make your own outdoor bar using reclaimed materials. If you have unused bricks, old concrete blocks, or wooden pallets, you can construct a unique and stylish bar area. This not only saves money but also adds a personal touch to your garden pub.
Alternatively, you can purchase pre-made garden bars from various retailers. Stores like Habitat, Aldi, and Homebase offer a range of garden bars that have become increasingly popular. These options are perfect if you lack the DIY skills or time to build your own. With a garden bar, you can keep the good times rolling and create a focal point in your outdoor space.
5. Planting & Decor
Incorporating greenery and colourful decor is essential for an inviting beer garden. Plants, hanging baskets, and climbing vines can transform your outdoor space into a lush, vibrant area. Adding visually appealing elements like bright murals or garden art can also draw attention and create a lively atmosphere.
Chaplin’s and the Cellar Bar, one of Britain’s best beer gardens, excels at this by using wild, healthy planting and artistic decor to create a bustling venue. By following similar pub garden ideas, you can make your beer garden stand out and become a favourite spot for guests.
6. The Outdoor Area
The outdoor area of your beer garden should distinctly feel like a garden, not an extension of your indoor space. Utilise outdoor elements such as brick, stone, and wooden furniture to create an authentic garden atmosphere. The space should feel light and relaxing, suitable for both social gatherings and solitary moments.
A picturesque beer garden is more likely to be shared on social media, which can attract more visitors. Ensuring your garden pub is visually appealing can help spread the word and boost traffic.
7. The Weather
Weatherproofing your beer garden is crucial for comfort and usability throughout the year. Use canopies or coloured glass to diffuse heat and glare. Canvas windbreakers, timber or metal frameworks with glass, and willow fencing can help reduce the wind factor.
For added flexibility, consider a trellis planter on wheels, allowing you to move it as needed. Proper seating placement is also important to account for wind direction. Smokers will appreciate adequate coverage, which can be achieved with canvas canopies or more permanent glass and timber structures. These solutions not only provide protection but also let sunlight in on warm days and can be fitted with blinds for overly bright conditions.
8. The Style
Choose a theme or style that complements your establishment. The design of your beer garden should reflect the character of the building and walls, extending any interior themes to the outside. For example, an art deco bar can be enhanced with art deco lamps, tiles, and statues in the garden. Avoid a generic feel by creating a cohesive style that integrates both indoor and outdoor spaces.
9. The Hidden Areas
The view from the garden should be nice, and nobody wants to look at the car-parks or the bins in the garbage area. The ugly areas can be hidden by using timber fencing or screened with fragrant plants.
10. Setting the Scene
Creating a cosy and inviting space to sit and drink doesn’t have to break the bank. There are a range of cool DIY projects to consider. Many revolve around turning old wood pallets or other reclaimed wood into a range of furniture.
To enhance the ambiance, scatter a few outdoor cushions and string some simplistic fairy lights around the area. These simple garden pub ideas will help you create the ultimate pub garden in no time.
Learn more about DIY furniture in our guide on how to build pallet furniture.
11. Garden’s Privacy
Improving privacy in your garden pub is crucial for a comfortable atmosphere. Strategically place trees like privacy-giving bamboo, dwarf trees, or climbing plants near your seating area to block out nosey neighbours.
For added privacy from upper windows, consider using a parasol, arbour, pergola, or gazebo. Again, cost needn’t be a burden here, and sometimes using natural plants can aid in achieving the privacy you need. What’s more, you could try giving the illusion of your beer garden looking bigger with these garden mirror ideas.
12. Recycling Old Beer Bottles
Instead of recycling old beer bottles, repurpose them into creative and functional items. After cleaning them thoroughly, beer bottles can be transformed into lanterns by filling them with fairy lights or used as candle holders on an outdoor table. They can even be used to build up a wall for the base of a bar area. These innovative beer garden ideas not only reduce waste but also add a unique charm to your space, and could also be considered part of our boho garden ideas too.
13. Grow Your Own Beer
Take your garden pub to the next level by growing ingredients for your homemade beer. Hops, for example, can be grown beside walls and fences, as well as other structures such as pergolas to climb along. Besides hops, there are many other plants that can be used in brewing, adding a personal touch to your garden pub ideas.
When using arches in your beer garden pub ideas, try these beautiful climbing plants for arches.
14. Covering Customers and Costs
The unpredictable British weather makes it essential to invest in durable and high-quality outdoor structures. Creating covered outdoor seating areas has become even more critical, especially in the post-COVID-19 era.
Installing a tensile fabric canopy or retractable roof pergola may require an initial investment, but the long-term returns are significant. These structures not only increase the number of usable seats year-round but also provide a comfortable space for smokers. You could also try our garden seating ideas here. Keeping customers dry and warm ensures they will enjoy your outdoor space regardless of the weather.
15. The Smokers
When designing your garden pub, it’s crucial to create separate areas for smokers and non-smokers. This ensures that smoke doesn’t drift into indoor spaces and disturb other customers. Place ashtrays on outdoor tables and provide sand buckets for cigarette butts. This simple measure keeps the area tidy and makes it easy to clean up after closing. These beer garden ideas help maintain a pleasant environment for all guests.
16. Summer Drinks
A diverse summer drinks menu is key to attracting a wide range of customers. While beer is a staple, other summery drinks, such as cocktails and fruity ciders can appeal to those with different tastes. Plan your summer drinks menu in advance to include a variety of refreshing options. These pub garden ideas will ensure your garden pub caters to everyone’s preferences during the warm months.
17. The Catering
Just as with drinks, your food menu should be adapted for the summer season. Light, shareable plates such as cheeses, breads, and dips are perfect for beer garden settings. If possible, consider outdoor barbeque catering, which tends to draw large crowds. The enticing aroma of a barbeque can attract guests and improve their overall experience.
If you plan on adding a pizza oven to your beer garden, ensure to know how to clean a pizza properly.
Implementing Garden Pub Ideas
In today’s competitive market, establishments that don’t invest in quality furniture, effective outdoor heating and lighting, distinctive planting, and shade structures risk losing customers to those that do. There are countless opportunities to generate interest in your beer garden, and investing the time, effort, and resources into getting it right is well worth it. From the methods we have shown in our beer garden pub ideas list, you can implement each of these into your garden pub strategy and henceforth develop a hustling environment full of booze and happiness.
And remember, when designing your own beer garden, be aware of these pub beer gardens and licensing laws.
FAQs
To design a beer garden, focus on creating a comfortable, inviting outdoor space with ample seating and tables. Incorporate shade elements like umbrellas or pergolas, use durable, weather-resistant materials, and add greenery or planters for aesthetics. Ensure there is efficient service access and consider adding entertainment options like live music or games.
The main difference between a beer garden and a pub is that a beer garden is primarily an outdoor venue designed for drinking beer and enjoying the weather, often with communal seating and a relaxed atmosphere. A pub is typically an indoor establishment that serves a variety of alcoholic drinks and often food, with a focus on a cosy, home-like environment.
A posh word for a beer garden is “biergarten,” which is the German term from which the concept originated.
A beer garden is characterised by its outdoor setting, communal seating (often picnic tables), and a casual atmosphere where patrons can enjoy beer and other refreshments. It often features elements such as trees or garden-like surroundings to enhance the relaxed, social environment.
Sources
Chaplins & The Cellar Bar. (n.d.) [online] Available at: https://www.chaplins-bar.co.uk/ [accessed 15/05/24]
Allen, P., (2018) Need to know: pub beer gardens and licensing laws. Morning Advertiser. [online] Available at: https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2018/09/06/Pub-gardens-and-licensing-laws-beer-legal [accessed 15/05/24]
