COVID-19 NYC Restaurant Patio Ideas for Winter

During the cold time of the year, New York City turns into a winter wonderland full of bright lights, decorations, and fun activities. The temperature in New York in winter averages between 25 °F and 40 °F, with relatively rare snowfall. Nevertheless, Holiday Season is always a big deal, whether there is snow or not. 

For business owners in the restaurant industry, the cold season is a fantastic opportunity to warm up their clients with food, drinks, excellent service. At this time, offering all the possible seating places always pays off. However, many places neglect the idea of a winter terrace, not knowing how to equip it for year-round service compliant with the COVID-19 regulations. If you are not the one to miss a chance of launching profitable projects, ignoring such an income source would be a mistake. 

We have collected the best restaurant patio ideas for creating a perfect outdoor environment for your clients to enjoy 365 days a year – rain or shine. Read on to find out how to set up a terrace that will bring you permanent profit and contact us for a custom quote!

Get a free consultation now:
By Phone: 646-383-8682
By Email: sales@fortunavisual.com

What to Consider When Setting Up Winter Outdoor Dining in NYC

In September 2020, NYC authorities issued regulations regarding outdoor dining at restaurants. According to the decision, the “Open Restaurants” program is now permanent, allowing year-round terrace service. It is excellent news for those restaurant, bar, and café owners who wish to expand their businesses. Here is all you need to know about the new set of rules.

Adjacent Properties

If your F&B business has neighboring properties, you must consider the following factors when opening an outdoor area:

• You can expand the sitting space only with a formal agreement from the adjacent properties’ owners. It should entail a fixed period and no fees for the territory’s use.
• The template for the contract is available since October 2020 from NYC DOT.
• The terrace should follow the requirements agreed by the City and the State Liquor Authority.
• The establishments do not have the right to use adjacent properties without the official agreement.

Heating

The festive atmosphere and energetic vibe of the big city and its unique rhythm draw locals outdoors and attract tourists from all over the world. What could be better than stopping for a warm meal at a heated restaurant patio while watching all this merry bustle of life?

Here is what the regulations say about heating the outdoor spaces during the cold season:

• Businesses are allowed to have heating equipment at outdoor patios.
• Restaurants can put out electrical heaters on the sidewalks and roadways.
• You can set up natural gas and propane heaters only on sidewalks.
• The establishment should have an FDNY permit for propane heaters. They should follow all the up-to-date regulations regarding their usage, handling, and storage.

Tents

Any establishment participating in the “Open Restaurants” program has the right to use tents, with the following conditions:

• Places with partial tent enclosures should have no less than half of the wall area open.
• Restaurants with full enclosures should have the tents’ walls closed and limit the seating spaces to 25% of capacity. Such places should comply with the indoor dining guidelines.
• You can use electric heaters in both partial and full tent enclosures.
• You are allowed to place enclosed structures for individual parties with the condition of providing adequate ventilation.

Roadway Barriers

Most of the safety regulations regarding year-round terraces focus on the roadway areas. Make sure your outdoor dining area complies with the following:

• Seek to provide strong roadway barriers.
• Ensure that you would be able to partially remove some barriers in the event of heavy snowfall.

Modified Layouts and Procedures

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced all establishments to introduce safety measures for diners. These regulations have drastically changed the habitual experience of dining out. Here are some of the critical points against the virus spread that restaurants in NYC should focus on:

• Adequate ventilation
• Reduced seating capacity
• Protective masks policy for clients
• Protective equipment for employees
• Installing sneeze guards where possible
• Denial of entry for people with respiratory symptoms
• Limiting interpersonal contact among the workers
• Proper hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection
• Tracing and tracking of COVID-19 cases

The compliance with all the mentioned guidelines would have been impossible without adjusting the seating layouts and introducing additional safety equipment. It applies not only to indoor dining but also to outdoor seating. Although health measures come first, it is still possible to follow the regulations while providing a beautiful dining experience. Read on to find out fantastic ideas and tips on how to set up a restaurant patio during the cold season.

Custom Acrylic Patio Covers for Restaurants in Winter Season

The customers will love the idea of having a drink or a meal at your restaurants’ year-round terrace. However, for an outdoor patio to be successful during the cold season, you must ensure that it has all the necessary equipment. But how to provide comfort, warmth, and a pleasant setting when on a budget?

Acrylic patio covers are the ideal solution for NYC business owners ready to equip their venue for the winter fast and easy. At Fortuna Visual Group, we create custom patio covers that suit private and corporate clients’ needs. We design, manufacture, and mount top-quality terrace covers promptly at an affordable price. Read ahead to find out more!

What Is Acrylic Awning Fabric? 

Acrylic fabric is a 100% synthetic material made of acrylic fibers. The acrylic fabric’s dying process differs from most other outdoor awning materials. In the case of fibers with acrylic color, dyeing occurs when the acryl is in a liquid state instead of just being dipped into paint. Thus, the thread becomes colored from the inside and not superficially.

At Fortuna Visual Group, we use only top-quality acrylic fabric that has been tested throughout years of successful collaborations with businesses and individuals. We offer a warranty on all our products.

Nowadays, the acrylic fabric is an irreplaceable material used in the manufacturing of sails. It is also perfect for outdoor awnings due to its numerous valuable characteristics. Color pigments stay in each individual fiber. As a result, you get increased resistance to UV light and fading. Scroll down for a full review of acrylic fiber advantages.

Why Acrylic Patio Systems?

The decisive elements in the construction of a year-round terrace are the basic structure of the frame and its cover material. Building a patio cover impacts not only the patio’s appearance but also has a significant influence on its stability, temperature control, functionality, and, of course, pricing.

A material that is always in demand for the construction of terrace awnings is acrylic fabric. Take a look at its beneficial qualities:

• long service life 
• resistance to fading, rotting, and mechanical damage caused by weather factors
• ability to withstand temperature fluctuations from 22 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit
• unique ventilation and thermo-regulating properties
• immunity to sagging and deformation even after prolonged use
• fire and water resistance (some models)
• excellent elasticity
• requires minimal maintenance
• fast and easy installation
• mildew resistance
• affordability
• provision of UV protection
• customization possibilities

Acryl will be a perfect choice of material even if you are not looking for a terrace roof made of strong fabric. Acrylic roofing is an excellent practice widely used among year-round terrace owners. Its famous types are plexiglass and polymethyl acrylate.

Acrylic sheets are resistant to severe mechanical damage and can handle even heavy hail. Such sheets are rather light, and therefore you do not need to construct a concrete structure under them when planning a terrace. Besides, acryl can take any shape when heated. These qualities make acryl an irreplaceable component in patio equipment projects.

Water repellent acrylic awning fabric and high-quality acrylic sheets are perfect for commercial outdoor use. Besides, it offers creative opportunities for the interior design of F&B establishments.

For instance, acrylic wall panels are an ideal way to utilize acryl in indoor decoration. Acrylic paneling will be relevant in restaurants, bars, hotel halls, offices, and even private houses. Such panels differ depending on the material’s additional components and its transparency level. 

Acrylic panels can be matte or glossy, textured or uniform. Besides, they are several times stronger than glass panels, yet much lighter in weight. It is the unique characteristics and customization opportunities that provide such a high popularity of these products.

At Fortuna Visual Group, we offer premium quality acrylic products at affordable prices. Purchasing acrylic goods for restaurants and terraces is an investment, considered their durability and ease of maintenance.

Acrylic Patio Cover Kit Installation and Maintenance

An acrylic roofing awning is an excellent solution for a restaurant patio area. It is an incredibly beautiful and reliable structure. Complemented by glass sides, an acrylic patio cover kit turns into a stylish and warm room, protected from wind, rain, and even snow.

Unlike a brick or concrete terrace, an acrylic fabric structure requires only a few hours for installation. It will fit perfectly into any interior and style, even if initially you have not thought about adding additional outdoor space. Built-in lighting will add coziness to warm and cold evenings and create an unforgettable atmosphere for your NYC restaurant.

Our team of professionals is happy to assist you at all stages of your project, from design to installation. Check our portfolio for inspiration and references, and contact us now! You can request a free consultation or place an order online or via the phone. For more information contact us at sales@fortunavisual.com, or give us a call at +1 646-383-8682.

A terrace for a cafe or restaurant is usually adjacent to the main building, but it can also be located separately. When equipping the patio, the business owner can choose sliding doors and windows that allow transforming the space during the warm seasons quickly. However, during winter and autumn, one should pay extra attention to proper ventilation and heating.

To ensure your clients’ safety at all times, remember that the year-round outdoor dining area should be compliant with the social distancing regulations. We have collected the most effective and creative ways to enforce safety measures that will not disturb the customers’ dining experience. Check them out!

Top 5 Creative Ways to Enforce Social Distancing in New York Restaurants in Winter

The “Open Restaurants” program has enabled business owners around NYC to prepare their establishments for the cold season. Now that there is a possibility to set up a terrace for the cold season, it is time to get creative. 

Whether you own a cozy awning café or a fancy bar, you can add an outdoor facility if you fulfill the City’s requirements. We have collected some of the most creative ideas to help you enforce social distancing measures at your restaurant patio enclosures. Check them out!

1. Retractable Clear Vinyl Patio Curtains

Vinyl curtains cannot work as a solution for outdoor seating during winter on their own, as they do not protect from the cold. However, you could use them indoors or at a heated patio to change the premise’s layout and minimize the viruses’ spread risks. 

Such curtains are easy to move around, depending on the seating plan. Equipping your restaurant with retractable vinyl curtains is an excellent idea if you are on a tight budget. Nevertheless, only vinyl curtains of the highest quality can boast durability and neat appearance.

Before purchasing vinyl curtains, it is essential to consider that they may not fit into the premise’s design. There has been a lot of criticism towards them resembling shower curtains. Although transparent vinyl curtains may seem to be a neutral solution, they may appear a bit off in the indoor dining environment. 

However, using them at heated patios has proven to be an effective COVID-19 preventive measure that does not affect the design negatively.

2. Individual Glass Dining Pods for Year-Round Service

Glass pods are a creative way to design your outdoor dining area that offers a lot of advantages, such as:

• Privacy for the diners
• Unusual experience
• Less interpersonal contact to avoid COVID-19
• Panoramic view from the pod
• Year-round use
• Protection from weather factors
• Full transparency, spaciousness, natural light
• Compatibility with any building

Individual glass pods are costly yet provide a perfect solution for social distancing and cold-related issues restaurant owners face. 

However, this option is suitable only for those establishments with relatively big territories available for the patio. Besides, it may be troublesome for the wait staff to enter the pods when the doors are closed in winter. Thus, it is crucial to invest in proper employee training. Also, ensure adequate heating and ventilation when installing the pods.

3. Vinyl Patio Enclosures – Low-Budget and Durable

If you are looking for a budget solution that will serve you during the cold and hot seasons alike, vinyl patio enclosures are our top pick for you! These are demountable frame structures with vinyl or PVC roofs and walls that protect visitors from bad weather. Check out their main advantages:

• Easy installation and demolition
• The ability to withstand cold and rainy weather
• Compatibility with heating equipment
• Affordable price
• The possibility to customize the enclosures to fit the venue’s design

Another great feature of vinyl enclosures is that they do not have perforations like other materials. In other words, your restaurant’s winter terrace will not have any weak spots and will be entirely weatherproof due to the welding manufacturing technique. 

At Fortuna Visual Group, we carefully select top-quality materials to manufacture our commercial patio enclosures. Throughout years of experience in the industry, we have achieved outstanding results in the design and durability of our vinyl and plastic patio enclosures.

Our products are water-repellent and fully customizable: from color to thickness. The available add-ons allow you to give your patio cover a unique look to match your premises. Visit our online store to order curtains and vinyl or plastic patio enclosures for your screened porch project. 

4. Domes for Effective Social Distancing While Dining

COVID-19 pandemic has caused stress worldwide. With big cities, such as New York, feeling the social distancing measures as the regular crowds have disappeared from the streets, the locals appreciate dining out even more. The “Open Restaurants” program is a fantastic opportunity for business owners not only to expand the seating capacity during the cold season but also to offer clients unique experiences that will cheer them up. 

Domes are a creative solution for restaurants and cafes that like the idea of providing an unforgettable setting amidst the pandemic. Relatively expensive, at first glance, domes attract enough attention to pay off the investment. Such a social distancing measure is effective and exciting at the same time, providing the diners with beautiful views and a perfect photo background. 

If you are strongly considering using domes at your patio, ensure that you have enough territory to dedicate to their installation, as they are not the most space-saving option.

5. Folding Glass Patio Doors – Use Any Season

Folding doors are convenient and easy to use. The list of their positive characteristics includes the following:

• No space is required to open doors, as they will be located along the wall.
• They are not sensitive to harsh weather conditions.
• They do not require complex maintenance.
• Folding glass doors provide reliable weather protection.
• They can serve for decades.

Folding glass patio doors are a practical and stylish solution that fits any venue and saves space. Once installed, they are at your service 365 days a year, whatever the weather. 

Customizable Restaurant Deck Design

Picking a restaurant patio concept for winter is only half of the deal. For a successful cold season terrace, you will need to:

• Make it warm. Use patio heaters that fulfill the regulations to generate heat and vinyl curtains to retain it.
• Take care of style and comfort. Equip the area with patio furniture of high quality and add design elements.
• Remember about safety regulations. Ensure that the layout and seating plan of the patio fulfill the up-to-date NYC requirements.
• Provide an exclusive experience. Why not add some winter specials to the menu? Also, ordering customized patio enclosures will help your venue stand out from the inside and outside.

When all the essentials are set, custom-designed details will breathe life into your year-round terrace. That is when business owners who have chosen vinyl for their patio enclosures will have yet another proof it was a practical investment.

Indeed, vinyl is an excellent material that is durable and has numerous design variations. At Fortuna Visual Group, we offer fully customizable vinyl elements for your F&B business: from tents to banners. 

For instance, if you decide on vinyl enclosures for your restaurant deck design, there is a variety of shapes of roof available, such as:

• pyramid
• trapeze
• rounded
• pagoda

If you wish to order an exclusive tent for an outdoor patio, our specialists will develop a solution with a unique configuration at an affordable price. 

You can also decide on the size and thickness of the goods you order. Besides, we have a broad palette of colors available to suit your needs. However, it is worth mentioning that we receive tons of positive feedback on clear patio panels. Read on to find out about their benefits.

Advantages of Clear Patio Panels for the Cold Season in New York

Terrace panels made of clear vinyl are the restaurant trend of NYC winter months. No wonder, as this type of patio enclosure hardly has any competition, as it has the following valuable characteristics:

• Full protection of the outdoor area from weather conditions, such as wind, rain, and snow
• Views on the beautiful NYC streets while dining
• Outstanding durability
• Easy installation, demolition, and storage
• The possibility of year-round usage

With clear patio panels, the terrace area allows the visitors of your premises to enjoy their meal while being indulged in the big city’s Holiday Season atmosphere. 

Also, clear vinyl is a universal enclosure design as it is neutral and fits all venues. Thus, even if your establishment relocates at some point, you will still be able to use the same clear panels.

How to Install Restaurant Patio Enclosure Systems Made of Vinyl?

So, you have decided to equip your year-round terrace with vinyl enclosure systems? Excellent choice! By now, you probably know that one of the most significant advantages of such enclosure systems is that they are easy to install. The installation process typically consists of two major steps.

Step 1. Building the Carcass 

The first part of the vinyl enclosure installation is the carcass set up. All steel parts of the tent’s carcass are treated with special compounds that protect against corrosion. Connections and structural units are easy to attach and disassemble. 

Step 2. Setting Up the Tent

After the carcass is ready, it is time to put the vinyl cover over it. Unlike many other brands, we use the welding technique in the manufacturing process to avoid perforation in the vinyl cover, which improves its durability and weatherproof qualities. 

It is possible to install the vinyl enclosures without assistance. However, we recommend professional installation if you have no experience with such a task. The Fortuna Visual Group team will make the installation process fast and precise. Our employees take care of the production and set up of restaurant patio enclosure systems using high-tech equipment in strict accordance with the project.

Why Choose Fortuna Visual Group?

Fortuna Visual Group is a growing company in the sphere of sign-making and custom fabrication of vinyl goods for businesses. Here are a few things you should know about us: 

• We manufacture all our product selection ourselves. 
• At Fortuna Visual Group, we do not deal with intermediaries to assure top quality and affordable pricing for our clients.
• We offer goods only from top-quality materials.
• Our products are fully customizable.
• We take urgent orders.
• Our NYC clients can count on free shipping and maintenance of our items. 
• We have a wide variety of payment methods.
• Our customer service representatives are available to resolve your queries via phone or email.

If you decided to winterize your NYC restaurant patio, we are ready to help! Check out our portfolio to see our vinyl curtains and enclosures, as well as signs and large-format printing examples. Contact us for more information or request a free quote regarding your project now!