Market Your Outdoor Space on Social Media and Stretch Your Content All Summer Long
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Creating a Unique Outdoor Experience that Grabs a Customer’s Attention
Small potted plants for table tops next to a graffitied alley wall. A unique spot to host outdoor dining.
People love to eat outside. For a combination of reasons that include: fresh air, nature, socialization, and atmosphere. All add to the unique dining experience that eating outside provides. The ambiance of outdoor dining can add to the overall dining experience and create a memorable meal.
June's Great Outdoors Month presents a fantastic opportunity for bars and restaurants to update their outdoor spaces and create a unique dining experience for customers. With the warmer weather and longer days, people are eager to spend more time outside for recreation, and businesses that can cater to this trend are likely to see an increase in foot traffic and engagement on social media. Additionally, you can use the outdoor theme continuously by sharing featured menu items and posting various outdoor digital media on your platforms creating content all summer long.
Outdoor Menu Themes
From picnic fare to grilling and BBQ, experiment with outdoor themed menu specials that run all summer long.
One way to enhance the outdoor dining experience is by creating a menu that adds to the ambiance and fits the outdoor theme. Here are some menu themes, with Little Plate’s recipe suggestions from Food and Wine, that are perfect for dining outdoors all summer long.
Grilling and BBQ
If you have the space, set a BBQ grill up outside grill to table service.
Grilling and BBQ are synonymous with outdoor dining, and a menu that incorporates these flavors is sure to satisfy your guests.
Add BBQ items to your menu, like Pulled Pork, Gourmet Burgers, and Sausages.
Picnic Fare
Assemble easy charcuterie boards as an appetizer for guests who love paring cocktails, wine, and beer with food.
Picnic fare is casual and relaxed. From charcuterie boards and sandwiches to salads and fruit platters, a picnic-themed menu is perfect for customers who want to enjoy a leisurely meal or appetizer.
Seafood
Seafood served with unique plating makes a unique outdoor experience even if you’re not coastally located.
Seafood is a great choice for outdoor dining, especially if you're located near the coast. From grilled shrimp and lobster to seafood paella and fish tacos, a seafood-themed menu is perfect for customers who want to enjoy fresh and flavorful dishes.
Add seafood items to your menu like shrimp cocktail, fried oysters, or crispy fish tacos.
Garden-to-Table
Add elements from your outdoor surroundings and locally sourced ingredients to your menu.
A garden-to-table menu is perfect for businesses that incorporate greenery and natural elements into their outdoor space. From fresh salads and vegetable platters to herb-infused cocktails and mocktails, a garden-to-table menu showcases fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
Add herbaceous and fruit forward cocktails to your bar menu.
Tropical and Tiki
Find secondhand decorations to set up a tiki themed outdoor bar.
A tropical and tiki-themed menu is perfect for businesses that want to create a fun and lively atmosphere for outdoor dining. From fruity cocktails to grilled pineapple and coconut shrimp, a tropical and tiki-themed menu adds a touch of the exotic to the outdoor dining experience.
Add tropical rum and pineapple forward drinks to your beverage menu.
S'mores and Campfire Treats
Provide complimentary nighttime snacks to pair with cocktails.
S'mores and campfire treats are a great way to create a cozy and intimate atmosphere for outdoor dining. From classic s'mores and toasted marshmallows to popcorn snacks, a menu that incorporates these treats is perfect for customers who like sweet treats or a nighttime snack paired with a fun cocktail.
Add late night snacks like popcorn, s’mores, and pizza rolls to you bar menu.
Update Your Outdoor Space
Create a fun and casual place for customers to socialize with friends or locals.
With people eager to spend more time outside after a year of being cooped up in extreme weather conditions, businesses that take advantage of this trend by creating or updating their outdoor spaces are likely to see an increase in customer traffic and engagement on social media.
To help businesses get started, we've put together a list of unique outdoor hospitality ideas that are perfect for Great Outdoors Month and through the summer months.
Greenery
Decorate your outdoor space with potted plants and vines to add a touch of nature.
Incorporating greenery into outdoor spaces is a great way to create a natural and inviting atmosphere. From rooftop gardens to potted plants and hanging baskets, businesses can add a touch of nature to their outdoor space and provide a breath of fresh air in urban areas.
Unique Seating Options
As long as there is a place to sit, eat, and drink, customers will stay.
Unique seating options such as swings, hammocks, and oversized Adirondack chairs are perfect for creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Not only are these seating options comfortable and fun, but they also provide great photo opportunities for social media.
Outdoor Lighting
Table lanterns and string lights create a vibe that makes nighttime the perfect time to socialize.
Outdoor lighting can completely transform an outdoor space and create a cozy and intimate ambiance. From soft and romantic string lights to colorful LED installations, lighting is a key element in creating a memorable outdoor dining experience.
Entertainment
Create space for live entertainment when dinner service is ending but the bar is still open.
Incorporating entertainment into outdoor spaces is a great way to create a fun and lively atmosphere. Live music, movie screenings, and outdoor games are just a few examples of entertainment options that can enhance the outdoor dining experience and generate buzz on social media.
Fire Pits
Fire features are instantly appealing and create a cozy place for customers to gather.
Fire pits are a great addition to any outdoor space and provide a warm and cozy atmosphere for customers to gather around. They're perfect for cooler evenings and can be a great spot for roasting marshmallows or enjoying a nightcap.
Rooftop Dining
A restaurant with underused rooftop access can provide a unique dining experience.
Rooftop dining is a great way to take advantage of unused space and provide customers with a unique and unforgettable dining experience. With stunning views and a breezy atmosphere, rooftop dining is sure to be a hit on social media.
Extend the Life of Your Outdoor-Themed Content
Create a one-of-a-kind outdoor dining experience that customers will love and want to share on their social media platforms.
Breaking up long-form content, or long-form marketing into smaller pieces for social media platforms is a great way to repurpose and extend the life of your content. By sharing bite-sized pieces of your outdoor theme on social media platforms, you can reach a wider audience and keep your content fresh and engaging. Consider creating a series of posts that explores the menu options and outdoor aesthetic in more detail with visually appealing images and behind-the-scene reels. This can keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
Just be sure to tailor your content to each specific platform and audience, and keep your messaging consistent across all channels.
With the warmer weather and longer days, people are eager to spend more time outside.
June's Great Outdoors Month is a great opportunity for bars and restaurants to update their outdoor spaces and create a unique dining experience for their customers. By incorporating menu themes that add to the outdoor atmosphere, businesses can create a memorable dining experience. Adding greenery, unique seating options, lighting, fire pits, and rooftop dining, businesses can create a one-of-a-kind outdoor dining experience that customers will love and want to share on their social media platforms. So, get creative, have fun, and think outside the building!
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