How technology can help you make better use of your outdoor spaces

It may be cold and, probably, wet outside at the moment, but the warmer summer months aren’t far away. If you’ve got outdoor space, such as beer gardens, terraces and courtyards, are you maximising use of this space? Rather than simply putting some tables & chairs out there in the summer, here’s some ways that technology can help you make better use of your outdoor space.

Mobile ordering and contactless service

Outdoor areas can suffer from slower service because staff spend more time walking back and forth. Mobile ordering apps and QR code menus remove that friction. Your guests can browse menus, place orders, and pay without leaving their table, while staff can focus on delivering food and drinks rather than taking orders.

This not only improves service speed but also increases average spend. Digital menus make it easy to highlight premium drinks, seasonal specials or upsell sides and desserts. For your pub or hotel, that means higher revenues with no extra pressure on the team.

Connected heating, lighting and sound

Outdoor comfort is critical if your guests are going to stay longer and spend more. Smart heating, lighting and audio systems allow pubs and hotels to create a better atmosphere while controlling costs.

Timers and sensors ensure heaters and lights are only used when areas are occupied. Lighting can be adjusted for different times of day, from bright and practical during lunch service to warmer and more ambient in the evening. Sound systems can be zoned so music enhances the mood without disturbing nearby residents or hotel guests.

These small touches make outdoor spaces feel like a natural extension of the venue rather than an afterthought, encouraging longer stays and repeat visits.

These touches also help you extend the usable season. Beer gardens and terraces can stay profitable well beyond the traditional summer months.

Improving safety and security

Outdoor areas bring additional responsibilities around safety, particularly in the evening. CCTV and smart lighting will help you monitor spaces more effectively without creating an intrusive environment.

For hotels, technology can also support access control to private terraces or rooftop bars, ensuring only authorised guests can enter certain areas. This protects both the business and the guest experience.

Enhancing the guest experience

Technology should never replace hospitality, but it can remove friction that gets in the way of it. Free, reliable Wi-Fi in beer gardens and courtyards encourages guests to stay longer and makes outdoor spaces more appealing for casual meetings or remote working during quieter hours.

Make sure you regularly test your Wi-Fi signal, particularly at the points furthest from your building. You need to ensure there is a strong signal across the whole outdoor space.

A strategic asset, not just extra space

The most successful pubs and hotels now treat their outdoor areas as a core part of the business, not a nice to have. Technology is what allows that shift to happen. By improving visibility, control and guest experience, digital tools turn beer gardens and terraces into predictable, profitable spaces rather than weather dependent bonuses. Your outdoor areas stop being a challenge to manage and start becoming a powerful growth driver for the business.

_{Get in touch} if this is something you’ve been considering and need some guidance on.

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