Get Your Restaurant Ready for Spring with Great Outdoor Restaurant Lighting

The warmer weather is on its way, which means it’s time to start thinking about how you can make the most of your outdoor space. If you’re a restaurant manager or owner, that means getting your outdoor lighting sorted. As outdoor lighting professionals, we work with many restaurants, commercial buildings, and event venues to create the perfect look and feel. Here is what we’ve learned about how great outdoor lighting can improve your restaurant and attract more guests.

Consider what your guests see as they approach your restaurant

Use outdoor lighting to attract attention and create a welcoming look.

The moment guests approach your restaurant, they should be drawn in by attention-grabbing outdoor lighting that creates an inviting atmosphere. The entryway should provide a subtle yet attractive aesthetic, giving potential customers the feeling of safety and comfortability as they walk in. Opt for a warmer hue that hints to customers that their experience will be cozy and delicious. After all, outdoor lighting is the first impression you give to patrons so make sure it’s welcoming and aesthetically pleasing enough that they feel compelled to enter your establishment.

Consider what your guests want in an outdoor dining experience

Use outdoor lighting to make outdoor dining areas appealing and inviting. 

Outdoor dining can be an appealing and inviting experience, especially when you have the right lighting. The right lighting in outdoor dining areas creates a tranquil and calming atmosphere. Lighting sets the tone and controls the mood. Patterns and colors can add visual interest and make outdoor spaces come to life. From colorful, festive lights to subtle warm washes or a welcoming glow spilling along pathways, there’s so much potential through the use of modern outdoor lighting.

Create the right kind of outdoor dining environment

Use bistro lights to create stylish eating areas which can be festive and bright or cozy and romantic.

Bistro lights are a great way to create an outdoor dining experience that is both stylish and unique. These flexible lights can be fashioned into different configurations depending on what you need. From brightening up late summer nights with a cheerful display of color to creating a more intimate setting for your outdoor gatherings, bistro lights can do it all. With professional installation, you can have bistro lights wherever you have outdoor spaces. We measure the area and install custom-cut poles to support the bistro lights at the right amount of tension. These simple but dramatic lights really change the whole mood of outdoor dining and make any meal feel like an occasion.

Use wall sconces to create intimate dining spaces and provide subtle lighting.

Lighting plays an integral role in the atmosphere of any restaurant, and installing sconces along the walls is an excellent way to create both a warm ambience and a sophisticated décor. Once lit up, these fixtures cast a perfect blend of dim light allowing customers to feel relaxed, creating an inviting and comfortable setting for them to enjoy their meal. Sconce lighting also provides unique decorative touches to your restaurant as there are numerous styles available to choose from, ranging from traditional rustic designs guided by a classic candle effect, to modern industrial fixtures with sleek geometric lines. By making use of wall-mounted lighting options such as sconces, you can be sure your restaurant has more than enough light without sacrificing aesthetics.

Expand your restaurant from indoor to outdoor seamlessly

Use outdoor lighting to create a natural flow between indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Outdoor lighting is an essential part of creating an inviting atmosphere for customers who want to dine at your restaurant. 

  • Replace bright, harsh fluorescent bulbs with soft, ambient lights to make outdoor spaces comfortable and inviting so guests feel relaxed. 
  • Use strategic lighting throughout the space to seamlessly transition from inside to outside areas.
  • Illuminate pathways, benches, and overhead canopy structures to blend different parts of the space together and draw attention to different areas. 
  • Incorporate decorative elements, like string lights wrapped around balcony supports or spotlights on trees, to enhance the outdoor dining experience and make it more special for customers.

If you want to increase business at your restaurant, one of the best things you can do is ensure that it has excellent outdoor lighting. With well-designed outdoor lighting, you can make your restaurant more welcoming, increase your dining area, and create a unique ambiance that will keep guests coming back. If you’re not sure where to start or what kind of fixtures would work best for your space, contact us. We’ll work with you to create a custom design and quote for your restaurant’s outdoor lighting.

Outdoor Lighting for Your Restaurant: How to Do It Right

It’s easy to make outdoor restaurant lighting an afterthought. But, in reality, lighting is one of the most important aspects of any business – especially a restaurant. Good lighting can help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, while bad lighting can make your customers feel uncomfortable and even unsafe. That’s why it’s so important to get your lighting right, no matter what type of restaurant you own. 

Why outdoor restaurant lighting matters

What your customers see at first glance creates an impression that stays with them. The interior dining area may be beautifully designed and perfectly lit, but if the outside of the restaurant looks dingy and shadowy, that’s the first impression your guests will have. You want the outdoor lighting to be a continuation of what’s inside, and make customers feel welcomed before they even open the door. 

Plus, the right outdoor restaurant lighting can make the difference between a successful outdoor dining experience and a complete disaster. See more ideas for outdoor restaurant lighting.

What outdoor lighting is suitable for restaurants?

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing outdoor restaurant lighting. First, the outdoor restaurant lighting should be bright enough to light up the entire outdoor dining area. Second, the outdoor restaurant lighting should be focused on the outdoor dining area so that diners are not blinded by bright lights. Finally, the outdoor restaurant lighting should be able to withstand wind and weather because, well, it’s outside and that’s where weather happens. Invest in high-quality outdoor lighting fixtures, installed professionally.

What kind of lighting is best for a restaurant?

You have a few different types of lighting to consider:

  1. Task lighting is important for being able to see your food. 
  2. Ambient lighting creates an overall mood for your outdoor restaurant. 
  3. Accent lighting helps to highlight certain areas or objects. 

Are LEDs better for outdoor restaurant lighting?

You also need to consider the type of lightbulb you are using. CFL and LED bulbs are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs. However, CFL bulbs contain mercury and must be disposed of properly. LED bulbs last longer than other types of bulbs and do not contain mercury. Plus, since LED bulbs stay cool and produce minimum or no UV light, they’re not as attractive to insects as other lights. 

Three types of outdoor lighting fixtures for your restaurant

Okay, so you’ll want to remember the main points from above: 

  1. Outdoor lighting for restaurants should be adequately bright, angled correctly (so you don’t blind diners), and durable. Read more about outdoor lighting fixtures.
  2. Outdoor lighting for restaurants should include task lighting, ambient lighting, and accent lighting. 
  3. LED bulbs are, by far, the best lighting system for outdoor lighting. 

The easiest way, by far, to make sure the outdoor lighting for your restaurant hits all three of these points is to hire a professional outdoor lighting company who will create a customized design and properly install high-quality fixtures. If your restaurant is in the St. Louis area, we’d love to work with you! If not, do a quick search for a professional outdoor lighting company in your area. 

Market lights for your restaurant

String lights are a popular choice for outdoor restaurant lighting. One style, which has larger Edison-style bulbs, is known as bistro lights or market lights. They’re a great choice for outdoor dining areas, large or small. In addition to their visual appeal, string lights also provide ambient light, making it easier to see and navigate your outdoor dining area.

While smaller string lights might be wound around a supporting post or beams, market lights are always hung above. This is where the installation can get challenging: some restaurants have an outdoor dining space that’s not close to existing structures or trees. When that’s the case, we create and install custom support poles for the market lights. 

String lights can also be used to highlight specific areas of the restaurant, such as the bar or stage, or they can be strung along the perimeter to create a border of light.

Outdoor chandeliers for your restaurant

You may not think of outdoor restaurant lighting as being particularly elegant, but using chandeliers or other hanging lights can really add a touch of class to your outdoor space. They’re also available in a variety of styles, so it is easy to find one that complements the existing décor. You can choose an outdoor chandelier that’s polished, whimsical, or rustic.

Chandeliers create an instant focal point, and their downward-facing light casts a warm and inviting glow. Hung high over the center of an outdoor dining area, they’ll provide ambient light. When you use smaller chandeliers or outdoor lantern fixtures over individual tables, they’ll provide task lighting.

Spotlights for outdoor restaurant lighting

Spotlights are incredibly versatile, and can be used to illuminate an entire area or focus on specific areas such as the bar or dining area. Smaller spotlights with a soft beam can be used as task lighting, as well, when installed with a downward beam and angled properly. 

Spotlights also work as accent lighting. While string lights and chandeliers or other hanging fixtures are primarily used for ambient lighting in outdoor dining areas, spotlights do a lot more. They’ll create uplighting for the whole exterior of the restaurant. They highlight the signage and landscaping. And they highlight trees and exterior features to create visual interest for guests. 

If you’re not sure where or how to get started with outdoor lighting for your St. Louis restaurant, get in touch. We’ll come out for a free consultation and talk you through all the options so you can choose the best outdoor lighting for your restaurant. 

The Power of Upscale Outdoor Lighting for Home and Business

You might not think of outdoor lighting as something that has the power to make or break a home or business, but when you consider how much impact it can have on first impressions, you’ll see why it’s so important. Upscale outdoor lighting can turn an ordinary house into a stunning showplace, and can make a good business look great. By using the latest technology and design trends, we can create an amazing lighting plan that will perfectly showcase your property. 

Let’s take a look.

From dull to dazzling with luxury exterior lighting

There is no doubt that outdoor lighting has come a long way in recent years. Gone are the days of harsh, unattractive floodlights that seemed to have only one purpose: to blind and disorient anyone who came near. 

In our modern world of luxury exterior lighting, outdoor lighting has become an art form in itself, meant to create inviting atmospheres and set the tone for any given space. Whether used as a subtle accent or directly illuminating an important focal point, outdoor lighting can completely transform a home or business. 

Besides, how sad to have a beautiful space with poor lighting or dingy fixtures. It’s hard for people to forget their first impression. To create a sense of polish and quality, imagine your lighting system as one that begins at the very edges of the property and continues all the way inside. 

The best fixtures lead to the best results

At Outdoor Lighting Solutions, we’re down-to-earth people who appreciate the simple things. But simple doesn’t mean cheap! Something we never forget is that quality always matters. Ultimately, your recipe is only as good as your ingredients, right? So we make sure to use the best ingredients — or lighting fixtures — to create absolutely breathtaking results. And it’s working out, because we have the privilege of designing outdoor lighting systems for some of the most beautiful properties in the St. Louis area.

One of the best parts is getting to work with our clients for customization that fits their vision. And with so many different kinds of outdoor lights to choose from today – from classic high-end outdoor lanterns to sleek string lights and everything in between – there is truly something for everyone when it comes to luxury exterior lighting. 

Upscale outdoor lighting for the atmosphere you want

Outdoor lighting serves a variety of purposes, from providing safety and security to highlighting architectural details or creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. 

For luxury homes or businesses, it can be used to create a sense of welcome and invite guests in with dramatic entrances or captivating landscaping. This can be achieved through careful placement and an expert selection of fixtures. By opting for backlighting, ambient lighting, or spotlights that highlight particular features of your exterior space, you can achieve the look you want and make your property truly stand out. Not only that, you’ll also be able to adjust the outdoor lighting for the mood you want to create at any given moment, ranging from festive to subdued. That’s a great ability to have, particularly if you frequently entertain in your home and outdoor spaces, or if you’re a business owner or venue manager. Setting the mood with the environment is one of the keys to success with any event, whether that’s a fun backyard birthday or an elegant dinner party.

When you’re ready to move from dreaming to doing, get in touch. We’ll come to your location, help design the perfect lighting system, walk you through the options, and even create a demo so you can see exactly how the lights will look before installation. It’s a no-guess, no-risk process. We’re proud to be St. Louis’ choice for upscale exterior lighting.

Why Uplighting Is an Absolute Essential for Your Outdoor Lighting System

It’s safe to say that lighting sets the tone for most occasions… and for those cozy non-occasions, too, when you’re not entertaining or “doing” anything, just relaxing. The right kind of lighting strongly influences the mood and comfort level. Some lighting types and fixtures are essential, while others are secondary. You can make do without an interior dome light in your car, but you can’t drive at night without headlights. When it comes to outdoor lighting, uplighting is an essential part of the system. 

What is uplighting?

Simply put, uplighting is placing light fixtures on a surface and angling them so they throw the beam of light upwards. 

It’s not that complicated. 

In fact, the angle of the beam is the primary difference between uplighting and other types of outdoor lighting such as downlighting (light goes down!) and washlighting (light goes mostly across!). 

What fixtures are used for uplighting?

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty now. 

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’re either a homeowner, or own an office building, restaurant or event venue. We will cover the purpose of uplighting for these specific settings. However, let’s first briefly identify the different kinds of outdoor lighting fixtures you can use: 

  • Bullet lights are pole-mounted or surface-mounted spotlights with a focused beam. The fixture itself is shaped a bit like a bullet, hence the name. Bullet lights can have a very narrow beam or a wider one, and some bullet fixtures are adjustable so the beam can be narrowed or widened as needed.
  • Wash fixtures are most often used for wash lighting, with a low angle so that the light mostly goes across the flat surface on which the fixture is mounted. It’s often used to give walls and other flat surfaces a lower, diffused rush of light across their surface. However, wash fixtures can also be used for areas that would look best with a softer uplight diffused across a wider area. 
  • Well lights are fixtures which are buried or planted in the earth and pointed upward. They’re typically used to cast a gentle, focused uplight. You don’t want the beam to be too bright with well lights since they’re typically used where people are walking or to highlight perimeters or stairs. 
  • Flood lights are a high-intensity type of spotlight with a wider beam than bullet lights. We don’t generally use flood lights for uplighting; they’re more often put in place for security lights, with beams angled downward. However, these fixtures can be mounted and angled to provide uplighting if the situation warrants. 

When choosing the right fixtures, choose high-quality screwable or weldable fixtures made out of marine or powder-coated aluminum. You can also go with copper, bronze, and brass, which last indefinitely and will eventually develop a gorgeous patina. Make sure that all the lights are spaced and angled properly to prevent any shadows or dark spots or light being directed inside.

Exterior uplighting for your home

If your outdoor uplighting is not too great, it can lead to people on the outside having a variety of impressions, from the relatively benign “Surely nobody lives in this dump,” to “Yeah, that looks like a mighty good place to rob.”

Yes, the external lighting of your property can even determine how safe it is. Just so you know there’s no exaggeration, a study by Urban Labs, UChicago posits that increased levels of lighting led to a 36% decrease in crimes. 

With the right spread of fixtures and balanced intensity, you can have the much-vaunted uniformity that lends most homes their attractive look, while helping you on the security front. Uplighting for your home should start with the home itself: exterior uplighting across the front of your house will increase curb appeal and create a beautiful nightscape. 

Then, you can work towards adding strategic uplighting to landscape and features outside your home. 

For instance, you can place uplighting fixtures along the foot of an oak tree, allowing it to flaunt its beautiful structure, the motion of its leaves, the life that resides upon its branches at night. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Looks nice, too.

Uplighting for commercial buildings

For commercial spaces and office buildings, outdoor lighting can keep your establishment from having a drab exterior and lead to a better impression for guests. 

For a lot of commercial spaces, that first impression is the only chance you get to create a sense of welcome and professionalism. Uplighting helps create uniformity and a polished aesthetic, from dusk to dawn. And, as mentioned above, outdoor lighting helps reduce the chances of crime. Professional exterior uplighters can help design a lighting system that will not only enhance safety and security, but also make your commercial building more appealing to tenants, customers, and guests.

Uplighting for restaurants and event venues

Let’s say you’re strolling down the block one particular evening looking for a nice fine-dining restaurant and come across two situated next to each other. One is dimly-lit on the outside and looks shadowy and a little shoddy. The other has sleek lighting fixtures and a warm glow across the exterior. Which one will win your business? Most likely the latter. 

As with residential houses, the first place to start with restaurant or venue uplighting is the exterior of the building. Create that uniform look which makes your business stand out and leads guests to the entrance. Then try adding well-placed outdoor uplighting to highlight a sculpture, landscape features, seasonal plantings, hardscaping, water features, and trees. Even if your restaurant is indoors, the feeling of a spectacle unfolding will add enormously to the guests’ experience.   

All in all, uplighting is a foundational part of an outdoor lighting system. When done right, it adds depth and elegance. Want to get started with professional installation? Get in touch for a free consultation. If you want to tackle uplighting yourself, start with one project at a time. The only thing you shouldn’t do is take your outdoor lighting (no pun intended) lightly. 

How to Make Outdoor Venue Lighting More Energy Efficient

What can you do to both reduce operating costs and improve the guest experience at the same time? We’re so glad you asked! The answer is to upgrade your outdoor venue lighting. Modern, energy-efficient lighting can be one of the most reasonable and cost-effective improvement strategies for outdoor venues.

Embrace the LEDs

Lightbulbs have come a long way. Incandescent bulbs are a thing of the past. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are the lighting type of choice for all commercial outdoor venue lighting. LEDs have incredibly long life spans, are energy efficient, and come in various color temperatures and shades. 

Get adjustable

Those “front of house” areas in outdoor venues often have quite a lot of range in lighting requirements. There are big factors, like seasonal changes and weather conditions. Then there are simple adjustments to make for the time of day (or night). And each event has its own particular mood, set in large part by the lighting. 

Make your venue’s lighting more energy efficient, and more customizable, by installing fixtures with adjustable LED bulbs. These can be set to the color temperature and brightness needed. You can choose color-changing LEDs, and pre-program them for different times, moods, and activities. For a venue manager, this is one of the easiest add-ons you can offer, and it has a huge impact on the guest experience for each event. 

Start with the big picture

Before you start throwing LEDs around, take a deep breath. Lighting isn’t about one fixture here and another fixture there, Old MacDonald style. Effective venue lighting requires a thoughtful design. Each fixture is part of a larger venue lighting system. The fixtures work together to make the venue look beautiful and create the mood needed for each event. 

We recommend starting with a little survey of the venue. Walk the premises at a few different times to notice the lighting and how it looks and feels. You may love how things look at dusk; a few hours later, the lighting might seem inadequate and those shadowy corners feel like they’re growing. 

Here are a few things to notice as you evaluate your venue:

  • Lighting in and around parking areas. Consider both security (bright lights as a deterrent to sketchy behavior) and safety (well-placed lights to help guests navigate and avoid obstacles).
  • Lighting that leads guests from parking to venue entrance. 
  • Uplighting around any venue structures and/or signage.
  • Kind, wattage, and quantity of existing lighting fixtures. 
  • Floor space to be lit, and range of lighting coverage needed. For example, if the venue has a flexible set-up and can be used for an intimate dinner party or a big dance floor, there’s a wide range of coverage, and lighting needs to be flexible and powerful. 
  • Current lighting levels and desired lighting levels. Where’s the gap? What’s in place now, and what’s missing? 
  • Outdoor features (architectural elements, landscaping, trees, water features) to enhance with exterior lighting.
  • Unused areas of the venue that could be converted and upgraded for activities with proper lighting.

Get a whole system design

Once you have a good site survey, you can start thinking about the outdoor venue lighting as a single system. A system includes the transformer, wiring and connectors, fixtures, and all the necessary mounting hardware and supports. 

One of the most important factors is the size of the transformer you’ll need. If you have a professional lighting design and know the entire load of the system, you’ll know what capacity you need in a transformer. Even if you’re not going to have the entire lighting system installed yet, you can still get the right size transformer — then, as you add more lighting elements, you won’t have issues. It’s more efficient to ensure you have the transformer you need from the beginning than to burn one out and have to replace it, or end up buying another one down the road. We’re the St. Louis outdoor lighting company you need to create a customized lighting design for your outdoor venue. Give us a call today and let’s talk about how to upgrade your venue with energy-efficient lighting.

Why Your Business Needs Exterior Commercial Building Lighting and Landscape Lighting

Outdoor lighting is one of those understated but necessary elements for a welcoming, professional business. The thing is, when it’s done well, your customers won’t be thinking of how nice your outdoor lighting is! They’ll be thinking about how nice your business looks, how welcoming it feels, and how easy it is to navigate different areas. They’ll feel at ease, safe, and comfortable without exactly knowing why. Good exterior lighting for your commercial or office building plus well-placed landscape lighting will create a sense of safety, welcome, and professionalism.

Attractive exterior lighting appeals to customers

First impressions are a huge factor in how people make decisions. Maybe it isn’t fair that a potential customer judges your business from a quick glance, but it is how we operate. A well-lit exterior is more appealing and attractive. Imagine a customer driving by and seeing the entrance from the road. Is it sparkling, bright, and nice to look at it? Is the signage easily visible? Can someone who’s never visited before quickly see where to park and how to reach the entrance? If not, chances are people will keep going rather than take a chance. 

Exterior commercial lighting helps with security 

The right kind of exterior lighting can help increase the security of your business, both during hours and after hours. Bright lights at every entrance point discourage loitering and vandalism. Motion sensors in lights at key points around the walkway and parking lot aid in security for visitors and employees during nighttime hours. It’s just a basic need to keep all outdoor areas well-lit for any commercial building. Inadequate lighting creates all sorts of shadowy areas and dim places where it’s easy for people to hide, scope things out, and potentially cause damage. 

Commercial building lighting guides customers

A professional lighting installation company (like us) knows where to place each fixture for the maximum impact. There are a lot of factors that go into good lighting design. One thing to consider is how customers approach the building, where the walkways are, what obstacles (steps, rough ground) they might encounter, and how you can increase the safety of both customers and staff with lighting. Simple walkway lighting, for example, adds a great visual appeal and also increases safety for everyone on the property. 

Commercial lighting can increase property value

With attractive, professionally installed lighting, a commercial property will look more valuable and attractive. If you’re considering putting your property on the market, exterior lighting can help attract buyers, make a better impression, and bring a better price. Also, if you have an older building, high-quality lights will help give it a fresh look. Dingy lighting, on the other hand, can make even an updated and well-maintained building look worn out. 

Good exterior lighting improves curb appeal

Professional exterior lighting not only creates a safer environment for your property, but also increases curb appeal. This is especially true with commercial landscape lighting that’s designed to enhance and highlight the best features of the building and the surrounding landscape. Uplighting across the front of a commercial property makes it stand out and look modern, fresh, and welcoming. 

We love helping St. Louis area businesses get the best exterior lighting and landscape lighting. We can create a lighting design that’s customized for your commercial building, office, restaurant, or venue. Get in touch today for a free estimate. 

9 Restaurants with Great Outdoor Seating in St. Louis

On a beautiful, breezy summer day, what’s better than an ice-cold beverage on a shady patio? Not much, honestly. And, for those long, relaxed summer nights, we love a perfectly crafted cocktail and beautiful views of the city from a rooftop bar. Whether you’re in the mood for burgers and beer, or looking for the perfect summertime salad, you’ll find it at one of these restaurants with outdoor seating in St. Louis.

Bar Italia

This Central West End patio is guaranteed to bump most weekend nights. If you want a quieter experience and a shorter wait, visit on a weekday (just not Monday–they’re closed). But you might want a little time to work up an appetite for the large selection of pasta and Italian entrees. Or check out the shared plate menu with offers like eggplant caponata and beef carpaccio. The patio seating is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine or homemade gelato (or both).

Highlights: Pistachio goat cheese, Insalata Mista, and a perfect Negroni.
Info: Bar Italia

58hundred

The garden patio at 58hundred is breezy, spacious, and private. It’s always a welcome place to enjoy a night out with friends, and most weekend nights you’ll enjoy live music. This locally owned butchery and garden restaurant serves up delicious, unique food and drinks. Share small plates such as whipped feta or pimento cheese toast. The strawberry salad is a summertime must, and you can’t go wrong if you veer to the braised beef with brown butter gnocchi. Seriously: brown butter gnocchi. 

Highlights: Taco Tuesday is a go with brussel sprouts tacos. Prepare to be wowed.
Info: 58hundred

D’s Place 

Step down to Soulard for a happy hour that just won’t stop and burgers you’ll brag about in a laid-back atmosphere. D’s Place is the neighborhood bar where you want to hang out, especially once you step into the back patio. Comfy wooden tables with plenty of room sprawl under awnings and strings of bistro lights that make the whole outdoor area feel like a party. Friendly staff, generous pours, and frequent events from trivia nights to live music add to the fun vibe. Try the award-winning Danimal burger, throw down some wings in one of the delicious housemade sauces, or go classic with toasted rav. 

Highlights: Housemade onion rings and a Hell Fire Burger will light you up.
Info: D’s Place

Akar

This first-come, first-served patio will allow you to enjoy Chef Bernie Lee’s Malaysian comfort food menu under beautiful lighting for a great evening experience. With plenty of greenery, this restaurant with outdoor seating in St. Louis feels like a little magical getaway. It’s a great atmosphere for a plate of vegetarian Ma Po tofu tossed in mushroom “mincemeat,” fried okra tossed in Gochujang sauce, or braised short ribs. Don’t forget to try one of the flavorful cocktails. 

Highlights: Potstickers of the day, everyday, and the Serai, with house-infused lemongrass tequila.
Info: Akar

5 Star Burgers

When you’re in the mood for a burger with an ice-cold beer, this is the place. This Clayton restaurant has a covered patio that’s ideal for both sunny and drizzly days. Even better, happy hour (3 – 5pm) happens here 7 days a week. There’s a nice selection of local craft drafts and bottles. For the non-alcoholic crowd, get a Maine Root fountain soda, or turn that soda into a float with locally owned Ronnie’s ice cream. While we go for the burgers, there’s a great selection of salads and other sandwiches if you’re so inclined. 

Highlights: Cheese curds for the table, and Dad’s green chile cheeseburger just for you.
Info: 5 Star Burgers

Billy G’s

Drinks, brunch, lunch, or dinner, the restaurant offers it all with a giant outdoor patio to hold the crowds. Perch near the firepit on a cooler evening and enjoy the restaurant’s signature wings: served classic, backyard, or “trashed.” There’s a big enough menu range to please everyone, from burgers to pasta to salads. Swing by for a weekend barbecue special (served from Thursday to Sunday) and live music on the weekends, and a friendly, party-like atmosphere anytime.

Highlights: Pretzel bites and cheese dip are perfect for game days. Great whiskey selection.
Info: Billy G’s

Jack Nolen’s in Soulard. Image: St. Louis Magazine (Iain Shaw)

Jack Nolen’s

You can get a delightful pesto grilled cheese at Jack Nolen’s, but that’s not what you should do. Go for the smash burgers, stay for the fries. Trust us, you’ll never want to leave. This laid-back burger joint is one of our favorite restaurants with outdoor seating in St. Louis. They know what they’re about. It’s a first-come, first-served place with no phone and a focused menu. Grab a table on the large patio under the glow of café string lights and order up. We swoon over the CBGB fries with housemade beer cheese sauce.

Highlights: Whatever the burger of the month is, it’s gonna be good.
Info: Jack Nolen’s

The Bellwether

If you want a good view paired with a great cocktail, head to The Bellwether. The restaurant’s rooftop courtyard is perfect for viewing the sunset or enjoying a weekend brunch. Sit under the outdoor bistro lights and enjoy sharing a small seasonal plate (mushroom ginger dumplings!) or cheese board. Try their take on pork steak for a truly elevated St. Louis classic. 

Highlights: Gravity’s Rainbow cocktail for that island feel.
Info: The Bellwether

The Blue Owl

The courtyard of The Blue Owl in Kimmswick, Missouri, is simply beautiful. The restaurant and bakery, which has been open since 1983, offers lunch, dinner, and plenty of pie on the porch, which shelters you from the sun or rain while giving you a piece of the outdoors. Combine your seating experience with one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, like steak and eggs for breakfast or Southern fried chicken for lunch. Or create your own combination with the terrific trio, choosing from a selection of the most popular dishes: salads, soups, quiches, sandwiches, and of course, pies. 

Highlights: Definitely look into the seasonal offers, and don’t leave without a fried pie.
Info: The Blue Owl


Looking for café style bistro lights for your St. Louis restaurant? Or maybe you want to create that bistro feeling for your own backyard, deck, or outdoor living space? Get in touch for a free estimate. Let’s get your summer vibe swinging!

21 Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Restaurants

Outdoor dining is more popular than ever. Level up those patios, porches, and gardens with these outdoor restaurant lighting ideas for every type of dining venue to attract guests and keep them coming back. 

While outdoor dining has always been a popular option in good weather, the need for social distancing has made it more than popular. It’s necessary for restaurants to provide adequate outdoor dining spaces to meet demand and keep up with the competition. As a restaurant owner or manager, you need to know how to create a satisfactory guest experience in those outdoor spaces. Quick service and comfortable seating are only part of the formula. Outdoor lighting is another essential ingredient. In this article, we’ll go over outdoor restaurant lighting ideas for different dining experiences, from fine dining to a casual bar scene. 

Basics of outdoor restaurant lighting

Outdoor lighting, or exterior lighting, is important for all outdoor spaces in a restaurant–not just in outdoor dining spaces. High-quality exterior lighting helps create visibility and safety around entryways, walkways, waiting areas, and parking areas. Outdoor lighting also provides a sense of welcome for guests, helps direct guest traffic, and the kind of atmosphere you want for restaurant guests. 

Here’s are a few important things to consider: 

  • some types of outdoor lighting can be DIY, many ideas and fixtures need professional installation.
  • the quality of the fixtures really matters in how long the fixtures last, how easy they are to maintain, and the type of ambiance they create. 
  • low-voltage LED lighting is the commercial standard for exterior restaurant lights. 
  • choose bulbs and/or fixtures that are adjustable so you can control the mood of the space for different times and events.

Now let’s take a look at some specific outdoor restaurant lighting ideas, arranged by type of dining experience or venue.

Outdoor lighting ideas for fine dining

For fine dining, focus on creating an outdoor space that feels seamless with fixtures and decor that carry the restaurant’s interior feel into the outdoor dining experience. 

  1. Lanterns beside the table, rather than on the table, provide a glow without being intrusive or taking up table space. Set the support poles to table-height or choose a lantern that provides a downward beam and raise a little above table height. 
  2. For smaller outdoor dining areas with tables set near walls or supports, use wall-mounted sconces for cozy table lighting. You can choose a style that matches the look and feel of the space, from solid brass traditional fixtures to sleek, stainless steel minimal designs. A wall sconce at each table creates an intimate feel while providing enough visibility for guests.
  3. Install pathway fixtures to delineate the walkways between interior and exterior, and to lead guests subtly on the path you want them to take through the exterior areas.  
  4. Highlight nearby landscaping features and garden sculptures with spotlights installed and angled perfectly to create visual interest.
  5. An outdoor chandelier brings class and whimsy to outdoor dining areas. On a veranda, porch, or pergola, you can fine-tune the experience of outdoor fine dining with a proportional, dazzling outdoor chandelier.

Outdoor lighting ideas for casual restaurants

Casual restaurants cover a wide spectrum, from down-home buffets to hip breweries to eclectic spots with their own unique vibe. Whatever the mood, good outdoor lighting makes your guest feel welcome and helps everyone have a better time.

  1. Wrap string lights around support poles for all outdoor structures or tents. It’s festive, fun, and budget-friendly. 
  2. Hang string lights under awnings — both awnings that provide shelter for outdoor dining areas and awnings on the front windows or entryway to the restaurant. The lights catch the eye and welcome guests. 
  3. Bistro lights are the grown-up, well-traveled cousin to string lights. They add a warm, cozy feel to any outdoor restaurant space. Guests seek out outdoor dining spaces with bistro-style lights. Hang them under the roof of outdoor structures.
  4. For outdoor dining that’s not under some type of structure, install bistro lights over the corners. Sometimes nearby trees or buildings will serve as the mounting point for the lights. When these aren’t available, we use custom cut and mounted poles so we can hang the lights exactly where needed. 

Outdoor bar lighting ideas

Outdoor bar space can be formal or casual, and the lighting should match. One frequent issue with outdoor bars is directing traffic flow. The later the night and the larger the crowd, the more difficult it is for people to navigate the outdoor space. You can use lighting to help direct crowd movement to and from the bar, as well as tuning the atmosphere right where you want it for each point in the evening. 

  1. Install brighter spotlights, directed downward, over the part of the bar where you want guests to place their orders or pick up drinks. 
  2. Use walkway lights or string lights to create perimeters and help guests form lines. 
  3. Have color-changing, programmable bistro lights installed for an easy way to instantly update the bar decor for the current holiday. Think green for St Paddy’s day, red or pink for Valentine’s, purple for Mardi Gras, etc. There’s no hassle, and you can adjust or program lighting with a smartphone app.
  4. Make smaller tables and cozy corners feel special and intimate with bistro lights and table lamps.
  5. Build a more energized area with larger community tables and brighter lighting; just make sure the angles are correct so guests have visibility without feeling blinded.
  6. Of course, increase safety and security with bright security lights in parking lots and near sidewalks and entryways.

Outdoor cafe lighting ideas

Outdoor cafe dining is all about the bistro feel, which fortunately is quite easy to achieve with–you guessed it–bistro lights. These string lights have larger, Edison-style bulbs and can feel casual or more formal depending on the decor around them. They work equally well in a quiet, tea-room garden or on a bar patio with a live band nearby. 

  1. Start with bistro lights in the corners of the outdoor space, as this is usually where you’ll already have supporting structures nearby. 
  2.  Add bistro lights in a zig-zag pattern over the entire outdoor area to make your guest experience absolutely outstanding. The key to covering a larger area is to have custom mounting poles installed at the right points and to hang the lights with the right amount of tension.
  3. Use uplighting in the corner of outdoor areas to reduce a shadowy, sinister feel. This is especially helpful for larger outdoor spaces, or spaces which have a lot of structures (gardens with shrubs and trees, for example).
  4. Light up entryways for easy visibility and movement. Install fixtures on each side of the door and above, if possible. An entry that’s slightly more lit than the rest of the wall space makes it easy for guests to know which direction to walk at a glance.
  5. Use fixtures that extend the theme of the cafe from indoors to outdoors. 
  6. Install pathway lights along sidewalks, to form perimeters, and to direct guests to different areas such as a swing, bench, private dining area, games for kids, or other facilities. 

If you’re in the market for outdoor restaurant lighting in St. Louis, get in touch. We love helping our clients come up with the perfect outdoor lighting design for their venue, whether it’s a big bustling patio or the cozy outdoor corner of a little cafe. We’ll talk through your options and demo ideas so you can see exactly what works best in your restaurant space. Schedule an appointment today!

What to Consider for Great Outdoor Venue Lighting

How do you light up a venue or event space? Seems like a simple question, but there’s a lot to the answer. Outdoor venue lighting includes any type of permanent fixture on the exterior of the venue structures, as well as temporary or permanent lighting used in outdoor venue spaces. Typically, the focus for outdoor venue lighting is on decor, ambiance, and using the lights to create the right mood and energy for the event. That’s certainly important (and we’ll talk about it), but that’s not the only purpose for exterior event space lighting. Outdoor lighting also includes exterior light fixtures needed for visibility in key areas and used to enhance safety and security for staff and guests. 

Outdoor events have always been popular in good weather, so it’s a smart investment for venue owners to do all they can to expand and enhance their outdoor event spaces. With the social distancing needs brought on by the pandemic, this demand has increased dramatically and will probably continue to do so. 

People want to go out, have fun, and enjoy life. But they want to do so in an atmosphere that feels safe and fun. Outdoor event space lighting helps achieve both goals, by providing visibility, creating the right ambiance, and helping to keep everyone safe.

Outdoor venue lighting: permanent and temporary

Venue owners tend to focus on permanent lighting designs, while event planners tend to investigate temporary lighting ideas. Both are great, and have different uses and limitations. 

Permanent lighting includes the following: 

  • ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures, which you’ll typically install around all doors and entryways.
  • walkway lights, installed near sidewalks and pathways and often used to create perimeter.
  • landscape lighting, which are perfectly angled and spaced spotlights to highlight landscape features.
  • uplighting, to create a uniform and polished look across the front of a building.
  • security lights, such as motion-sensor spotlights on building corners and near entrances.
  • bistro lights, a special type of string light hung from nearby structures or on custom-cut mounting poles.
  • specialty lights, such as color-changing lights for water features, outdoor chandeliers, or lights installed on hardscaping elements.

Temporary outdoor venue lighting has a very wide range. Temporary lighting options can be as simple as string lights wrapped around a pole and as complex (and costly) as a stage lighting rig. In this article, we’ll focus on permanent outdoor venue lighting and a few of the simpler temporary event space lighting options. 

Outdoor event lighting for visibility

The first primary function for outdoor lighting is to provide visibility, both for customers and staff. Staff need to see well enough to oversee activities, serve food and drinks, manage different outdoor surfaces, and navigate entryways. They also need to move between indoor and outdoor spaces without a major adjustment in the level of light. You don’t want staff members to be temporarily blinded when they move from the patio to the kitchen, or vice versa. Outdoor event areas often involve different surfaces–gravel, stepping stone, sidewalk, stairs, wooden decking, etc.–with different levels. It’s important that both staff and guests can see where their feet are landing. 

Plus, guests want to see what they’re doing well enough to enjoy it. People don’t want to guess what’s on their plate–they want to see it. We’re not talking close inspection of the vegetables or the ability to sort grains of rice by size. We are talking enough visibility to easily distinguish what’s in front of them. No mistaking ketchup for barbecue sauce, or having to turn on the phone’s flashlight to figure out if those are radishes or carrots in the salad. 

You’ll typically achieve the visibility level you want with permanent outdoor lighting that’s part of the venue. (This is a good time for venue owners to ask themselves: do we have enough outdoor lighting?) This could include outdoor chandeliers, wall sconces, bistro lighting, walkway lighting, and strategically placed spotlights. 

If you need to up the visibility with temporary lighting additions, here are a few ideas:

  • add string lights on beams, poles, and over doorways. 
  • hang spotlights pointed downward so the beam adds light without blinding guests
  • use LED rope lights along the edges of tents, awnings, and on fences.

Outdoor lighting to direct traffic

As mentioned above, lighting for visibility is especially important in outdoor areas. There are more surfaces and levels to contend with, so people need to easily see what they’re walking on. They also need to know where they’re going. For staff, this will be second nature; for guests, not so much. 

Lighting can help you direct the flow of guest traffic.

Remember that people–like insects–are attracted to light. It’s instinctive, especially when people are in motion; they’ll go toward what they can see. Help them by making sure you have fixtures installed at key points for the literal customer journey: the path itself, the entryway, the hall that leads to the restrooms. The dance floor. And, of course, the bar. 

Outdoor lighting for ambiance

Outdoor event spaces have the potential to provide what guests want. But you can’t just throw up some tables and call it a dining area. You can’t just turn on some music and call it a dance floor. Guests want and expect the environment to have the right feel for the experience, and lighting is how you achieve that. With the right lighting, at the right level, guests can step onto the patio and feel like it’s a natural extension of the indoor space: recognizable, familiar, and enjoyable. Or–if depending on what you want–they can step outside and feel as if they’ve entered an entirely new, magical world.

Lighting is one of the most powerful creators of ambiance. 

When lighting an outdoor venue for ambiance, look for permanent fixtures that are adjustable. Low-voltage LED lighting is the industry standard. It’s worth investing in higher quality fixtures, too. They’ll look better and last longer. (Plus, most commercial-grade fixtures, like the ones we use, come with a significant warranty.) You may need more fixtures than you think, too, but remember that with adjustable fixtures you can lower the intensity of the light to achieve the mood you want. However, if you don’t have enough outdoor light fixtures, you won’t be able to do anything about shadowy corners and dark spots. There’s nothing like a creepy vibe to really kill the mood, so don’t skimp on exterior lighting. Your venue–and each event–is worth it.

If you’re looking for outdoor venue lighting help in the St. Louis area, we’re the ones to call! We love helping our clients cook up the very best outdoor lighting design. From uplighting to show off that great venue to bistro lights on the patio and security lights in the parking lot, we can handle it. Get in touch today for a free consultation. 

How to Use Bistro Lights and LED Cafe Lights for Outdoor Dining Areas

The ambiance of an outdoor dining area is how it makes someone feel; and when people feel good, they enjoy themselves, want to stay, and want to return. That’s great news whether you’re a restaurant manager or just someone who likes having summer barbecues with the neighbors. The better people feel in the environment you create for them, the more they’ll want to come back again. There are lots of ways to create ambiance; for outdoor dining areas, lighting is a big factor. Let’s take a look at how bistro lights and LED cafe lights can enhance and illuminate outdoor dining areas, and dazzle your guests. 

Bistro lights for atmosphere

Bistro lights are a type of string light that have become quite popular. They produce a very strong, immediate association with cozy cafés, Paris streets at night, and elegant but welcoming atmospheres. Their instant recognizability makes people feel at home. But what’s amazing about bistro lights is how well they fit with so many different atmospheres. They can enhance the mood at an upscale, trendy new restaurant or a down-home, laid-back buffet. With this kind of versatility, it’s easy to see why so many homeowners and restaurant owners want bistro lights for their outdoor dining spaces. 

Attachment points for bistro lights

Since bistro lights are string lights, the first consideration is what they’ll be attached to. Our team can install tree-safe hangers in nearby trees as an attachment point. If there’s a structure nearby, then attaching the lights to the side or corner of the building may work. When there’s no attachment point in the right place, we use custom-cut poles: we measure them to the perfect height, have the poles cut, and install them on-site for an  attachment point that’s free-standing. This approach allows us to focus on the more important aspect of bistro lights: where they will hang. For example, stringing bistro lights around the edges of an outdoor dining area looks cool. But it’s even more dazzling to string them across the entire dining area, so when guests glance up they see that familiar yet elegant glow. A few other ideas:

  • Create a zig-zag pattern with bistro lights across an open-air dining space, which adds visual interest and creates a sense of structure and fun. 
  • Install bistro lights over a corner or recessed area for a cozy, romantic spot. 
  • Hang bistro lights under a gazebo or awning. 
  • Add bistro lights to the outdoor patio for an eye-catching appeal that makes people want to stop and come in. 
  • Expand the outdoor dining area by using walkway lights and bistro lights to create a perimeter. 

LED Cafe lights in the right places

Bistro lights create great ambiance, but you’ll want other light fixtures around. This is where other LED cafe lights are a great choice. With LED bulbs in high-grade fixtures, you can adjust the lights so you get just the right mix. You don’t want to entice guests with subtle and warm bistro lights, then blast them with bare bulbs on ceiling fixtures, rusty old wall sconces, or lights with a jarring color temperature that doesn’t blend. We work with the best type of outdoor lighting fixtures, which all use LED bulbs for greater efficiency and adjustability. We can help you envision how the different fixtures will interact, ensure the right spacing, and play around with intensity and spread so that you have the right lighting for the perfect ambiance. Get in touch today so we can talk about your vision–and then we’ll set up a time to do a live demo so you can see exactly how it will look.