Summer Starts Here: Tips to Get Your Venue Summer Ready

Summer means long days, balmy evenings, and an exciting surge in customers looking to eat, drink and soak up the sun. For restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars, it’s one of the most vibrant and profitable seasons of the year – but only if you’re prepared.

Whether you’re looking to revamp your restaurant Menus, upgrade your outdoor seating with stylish café chairs, or refresh your pub Signage, a little planning now will go a long way. In this guide, we’re sharing our top tips to get your venue summer-ready – so you can attract more customers, keep them coming back, and make the most of the sunny season (while it lasts).

Image Credit: Tastea Cafe

1. Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space

Nothing says summer quite like al fresco dining. Whether you’ve got a sun-drenched patio, a cosy pavement café, or a buzzing beer garden, your outdoor area has the potential to become a real revenue booster – if it’s done right.

The heart of every great outdoor space is durable, stylish furniture that can handle whatever the Great British weather and clumsy customers can throw at it. Start by investing in weather-resistant, easy-to-clean café chairs and tables. Want your brand’s personality to shine and to make you stand out from the crowd? Branded Deck Chairs are a fun, relaxed option that instantly brings a summer vibe to your set up. Not only do they boost your branding, but they’re an instagrammable photo spot that gives punters a reason to snap and share. And when the sun sets, simply fold them up and store them away for next time. 

Image Credit: Behance

Make sure you’ve got a good variety of seating too, from intimate two-person tables to larger setups for groups. And don’t forget accessibility – wide walkways, pram-friendly layouts and room for wheelchairs all help to create a welcoming, inclusive environment.

One smart way to elevate your outdoor space is by creating clearly defined zones. Think: a relaxed lounge-style area for drinks and nibbles, a central dining section for full meals, and perhaps a shaded spot for families or solo diners to unwind. Not only do these zones enhance the customer experience and bring structure to your layout, but they can also boost average spend by encouraging guests to stay longer and explore different areas. Café Barriers are a brilliant way to bring these zones to life, offering a stylish, branded way to section off areas while keeping your space looking professional and cohesive.

Image Credit: Love Lily

For the perfect finishing touch, custom Parasols strike the ideal balance between style and function. Whether you’re looking to elevate the look of your outdoor dining space or adding branded pub umbrellas for shelter from those inevitable British downpours, Parasols offer a smart, stylish solution. Display your logo or brand colours with Parasol prints to create a cohesive, eye-catching setup that’s hard to miss. Not only do they enhance your outdoor area’s overall appeal, but they also double as brilliant branding tools – ideal for catching the eye of passersby.

Image Credit: Printed

To ramp things up even further, use café banners and restaurant Posters to promote summer specials, live music nights, weekend BBQs or brunch deals. These bold, visible pieces help create atmosphere and act as brilliant passive marketing tools. Strategically place them near entrances, along walkways, or within different zones to attract attention and guide your guests.

By designing your outdoor space with intention – from furniture to flow – you’ll create an experience that’s not only functional and inviting but also perfectly on-brand for the summer season.

2. Refresh Your Restaurant Menus

Image Credit – Picnic Park Deli

Drinks Menu printing is just as important as your food options. A dedicated, well-designed drinks Menu can tempt customers to try more, speed up ordering, and make selling seasonal specials a breeze for your team. Table Talker Menus are a smart addition to every table, offering a stylish yet functional way to showcase your bestsellers. Freestanding Strut Card Menus are perfect for countertops, bars, or service areas – compact, eye-catching, and designed to stand out exactly where it matters.

But it’s not just about what’s on offer, how it’s presented matters too. Invest in high-quality restaurant Menu printing that suits the season. For outdoor settings, consider waterproof or laminated finishes that can withstand spills, sun and the ever-unpredictable Great British weather.

Top tip: Incorporate QR codes into your Menus to link directly to your online Menu, booking system or socials – it’s a simple addition that helps keep things convenient.

3. Your Pub Signage

Your Signage and Outdoor Prints are often the first impression a customer has of your business. Is it visible? Is the message clear? Does it reflect the personality of your brand? If your pub signage is looking tired, weather-worn or out of date, now’s the perfect time for a refresh.

Think beyond the basics when it comes to signage. While classic hanging signs have their charm, mixing things up can seriously elevate your curb appeal. Use bold, eye-catching A Boards to spotlight your latest promotions, or bring your windows to life with Custom Vinyl Decals that showcase your brand’s personality. These flexible options are ideal for showcasing seasonal offers, daily specials or events – and the best part? They’re easy to update, so your messaging can stay fresh all summer long.

Image Credit: Pobo

Custom restaurant Posters are brilliant for highlighting limited-time offers, themed nights like “Tapas Tuesdays” or “Sangria Saturdays”, or encouraging customers to follow you on social media. Why not create a designated photo area with one of our Selfie Frames customised with your logo or hashtag to encourage snappy customers to share content?

Image Credit: Brooklyn Brewery

4. Create a Seamless Summer Experience

Once you’ve got the basics sorted, it’s time to think about how all the elements come together to deliver a cohesive, seamless summer experience.

Plan Ahead:

Don’t wait until the sun is blazing to start thinking about your summer setup. Father’s Day, school holidays, and major sporting events can all bring in big crowds – so get your restaurant Menu printing and signage orders in early to beat the rush.

Keep Branding Consistent:

From café banners to branded pub umbrellas, every printed element should follow the same fonts, colours, and tone of voice. Consistency builds trust and makes your venue more recognisable – whether someone sees your pub signage in person or your digital ad online.

Tell Your Story:

Customers love businesses with heart. Share the inspiration behind your new summer Menu, the story of your local ingredients, or a behind-the-scenes peek at your team prepping for a big night. Use your restaurant Posters, Menus, and social media to tell this story and build a deeper connection.

Involve Your Team:

Your team is your best asset. Get their input on what customers are loving (and what’s not working), and involve them in the summer planning process. This not only improves operations, but boosts morale too.

Bonus Ideas to Boost Summer Sales

Want to go the extra mile this season? Here are a few extra ideas to supercharge your summer strategy:

• Host themed nights like outdoor movie screenings, wine tastings or summer BBQs.

• Create set Menus for lunch or early dinners to attract daytime footfall.

• Offer Loyalty Cards or seasonal discounts to encourage repeat visits.

• Leverage events like Wimbledon or Pride Month with tailored offerings and signage.

Image Credit: Studio48

Ready to Make Your Restaurant Summer-Ready?

Getting summer-ready isn’t just about whacking a few picnic tables outside. It’s about creating a memorable experience that’s visually appealing, delicious, and delightfully on-brand.

Whether you’re launching a summer Menu to tempt new customers, promoting offers with bold posters, or creating standout displays that stop people in their tracks, our Outdoor Advertising Print solutions are here to make your venue unmissable. With vibrant, high-quality print and customisable options to suit your brand, we’ll help you grab attention, boost footfall, and keep your business front and centre all summer long.

Explore our full range of print solutions at Printed.com and give your venue the seasonal refresh it deserves. Summer’s calling – are you ready to answer?