Feeling the Weather Pinch: Outdoor Dining's Unpredictable Start Amid Thundershowers
Unfavorable weather conditions hamper beer gardens' planned commencement for the season. - Inclement weather puts pressure on outdoor beer venues
Hey there! Let's get right into it. The Thuringian outdoor dining scene's start this year's been as rollercoaster-y as the weather, direct from the horse's mouth - Dirk Ellinger, CEO of Dehoga Thuringia.
You heard it right! Heavily-laden with hope, beer garden operators geared up for a bumper season in May, only to find their spirits dampened by reality. Despite some sunshine here and there, the chilly winds and fickle showers kept most patrons indoors.
It wasn't all doom and gloom, though. While the urban cores of bigger cities offered some shelter against the cold, it was the rural and exposed locales that got a miss. As Ellinger puts it, "We're banking on a steamy June to recoup those lost earnings."
Johnny Cash might've sung about 'One Piece at a Time,' but for Thuringian restaurateurs, it's tax-component reduction that they're after. Besides the usual pandemic-era woes like staffing shortages and price inflation, the lack of tax reductions have been a nagging concern.
"What the beer garden business really needs is a move from daily hour limits to weekly hour limits," asserts Ellinger, arguing this would help manage staffing more efficiently during those long, balmy summer evenings.
Speaking of summer, it's the Biermix drink trend that's been stirring things up. Don't fret, beer enthusiasts - beer consumption's still going strong, albeit with a twist. Stephan Fischer from Steakhouse am Borntal in Erfurt shared the scoop: "With more mindful alcohol consumption, elegant concoctions like homemade lemonades, refreshing and less sweet, are rising in popularity." No competition there - the difference between a well-crafted cocktail and cold brew is day and night!
Steffi Herrmann from Restaurant Platzhirsch in Erfurt's old town echoed the sentiment, confirming the upward trend in demand for superior quality dining, a good location, and unique beverages. In the city center, the competition's been heating up, what with every restaurant vying to attract the ever-important foot traffic. As for this season's drink trends? Light, breezy pit-stops like wine, beer, and spritzer mixes are stealing hearts!
Despite the weather and the pandemic-related roadbumps, the beer garden folks are staunchly optimistic. As Stephan Fischer puts it, "Folks just can't resist the allure of beer gardens - after that long winter and the endless rain, there's a pent-up demand to sit outdoors again!"
Now, let me shed some light on why beer gardens are having a tricky time with rainy days. Although beer gardens are a traditional German delight, once the skies open up, they can face several hurdles, such as…
The Struggles of Beer Gardens on Rainy Days
- Inconsistent Weather Conditions Beer gardens are no strangers to unpredictable weather patterns, whether it's persistent rain, unbearable heat, or nippy winds. This can lead to a sharp drop in patronage and the need for costly protective infrastructure that may not always look so hot.
- Pricey Weather Protection Investing in structures like tents, pergolas, or canopies might not be a walk in the park - literally! These structures need to be durable, weatherproof, and aesthetically pleasing, but that can burn a hole in the pocket.
- Limited Outdoor Dining Season In cooler climates, the outdoor dining season's a short-lived affair. Restaurants need to adapt quickly to changing weather conditions and face fluctuating revenue and staffing challenges as a result.
- Pet-Friendly Venues Pet-friendly dining spots are a godsend for pet owners, but they're hard to come by. This limits the target audience for beer gardens, particularly in areas with strict pet policies.
- Regulatory Compliance Setting up temporary structures for outdoor dining may require special permits. Meeting local regulations and ensuring compliance can be a hectic and costly process, especially if the rules change frequently.
- Customer Expectations Keeping customers delighted under unpredictable weather conditions requires innovative solutions. Maintaining a high standard of service and ambiance can be a daunting task, especially when the weather's just not playing ball.
To overcome these challenges, innovative structures, dynamic staffing, clever marketing, close collaboration with local authorities, and exceptions during bad weather are all being used to keep the beer garden dream alive!
[1] https://www.restaurant-manager.de/rezepte-und-connections/thema-wetter-schlamassel-im-beergarten/246381/[2] https://www.konzert-management.net/wetter-321378[3] https://www.gasthaus-garten.info/was-gibt-es-zu-dem-beergarten-in-der-wetter-lage[4] https://www.erstarkemittelstand.de/artikel/wetterversicherung-wetterschutzbetrieb/
Phew! That's a wrap! Let the sunshine back in, and the good times roll! 😎🍻🌞️
In the quest for ensuring customer satisfaction in the outdoor dining sector, some innovative approaches are being taken. A growing number of establishments have embraced the idea of incorporating a 'community policy' that caters to the needs of their patrons, providing alternate outdoor spaces or implementing flexible indoor-outdoor arrangements on rainy days.
To enhance their overall service offerings, many beer gardens and restaurants are augmenting their traditional food and beverage menus with an emphasis on 'lifestyle' choices and unique options, such as organic, locally-sourced 'food-and-drink' options and 'beverages' that align with current trends.
Additionally, recognizing the importance of providing a comprehensive dining experience, forward-thinking establishments are offering vocational training programs to their staff to develop a skilled and versatile workforce capable of adapting to the ever-evolving needs of their customers. To keep the outdoor dining ambiance alive, even on rainy days, various vocational training courses focus on mastering a range of skills like indoor and outdoor space management, inclement-weather customer service, and temporary structure setup.
