How Restaurants Can Host Holiday Parties Outdoors (Even in Winter)

How Restaurants Can Host Holiday Parties Outdoors (Even in Winter)

Outdoor patios are one of a restaurant’s most valuable spaces. In the spring and summer, they create energy, increase seating capacity, and attract guests who want to experience the city from a new perspective. But when temperatures drop, most patios sit empty, even though the demand for group dining peaks during the holidays.

Corporate gatherings, family celebrations, and end-of-year parties all need space, and many restaurants end up turning away reservations simply because their patio isn’t usable in the winter weather. Rain, snow, wind, and cold temperatures make traditional outdoor dining impossible. Heaters help, but they can’t solve the comfort issue on their own.

With the right solution, your patio can be the most desirable space in the building during the holiday season.

The Holiday Party Opportunity

December is one of the strongest months for group bookings. Companies are looking for unique spaces to celebrate, friend groups want a cozy atmosphere for their annual party, and families want a memorable setting to gather. These reservations tend to be larger, happen on weeknights, and often include prix-fixe menus which means higher revenue per seating.

But without a weather-protected space, restaurants often have to turn away these groups or limit their calendar because their indoor dining room can’t accommodate the demand. A patio that’s unusable for 3–5 months is a missed opportunity for winter revenue and event bookings.

The Winter Problem for Patios

Every restaurant with a patio understands the challenges:

– Low temperatures

– Snow and wind

– Unpredictable rain

– Noise from heaters

– Guests don’t want to sit with coats on

– Tents feel temporary and lack comfort

– Permanent roofs take away the open-air experience when the weather improves

Winter weather ends the outdoor season unless the space can transform.

The Retractable Enclosure Solution

A Roll-A-Cover retractable enclosure turns a seasonal patio into a year-round dining space.

In cold months, the patio becomes a fully enclosed environment with all the warmth and comfort of indoor dining without losing the outdoor ambiance that guests love. The enclosure protects the space from snow, wind, and rain, and can be paired with heaters to create a cozy, winter atmosphere that guests immediately respond to.

When temperatures rise, the enclosure retracts to restore the open-air patio. Restaurants get summer patios and winter event spaces in one single structure.

This flexibility is what makes the solution so powerful:

the patio works for every season, every menu, and every guest experience.

Real Restaurants Hosting Holiday Parties Outdoors

Here’s how restaurants are already transforming their patios into holiday event spaces:

Il Culaccino – Chicago, IL

Chicago winters are known for snow and wind, but Il Culaccino hosts holiday parties outdoors on their patio, protected by a Roll-A-Cover retractable roof. Guests enjoy the charm of winter dining without the cold, and the restaurant benefits from increased group reservations during a season when most patios are closed.

Salinas – New York, NY

In New York City, unpredictable weather can disrupt outdoor dining year-round. Salinas uses a retractable enclosure to host intimate events on its patio, even when it’s raining or cold outside. The enclosure gives the space a dramatic, romantic feel that’s ideal for small holiday gatherings.

The Business Benefits of a Year-Round Patio

Installing a retractable enclosure is much more than a design decision — it’s a revenue strategy.

Restaurants gain:

– Year-round outdoor patio seating

– More group reservations in winter

– A private dining feel for events

– Predictable seating, no matter the weather

– A premium guest experience

– A unique environment that attracts social buzz

– Better return on patio investment

Instead of being unused from November through March, the patio becomes a signature feature that drives bookings during the most festive time of year. 

Winter Atmosphere Guests Love

A protected patio creates a holiday atmosphere that indoor dining can’t always match:

– Snow falling outside the enclosure

– Warm lighting against glass

– A sense of being outdoors, without the cold

– Cozy energy for groups

– A memorable backdrop for photos and social content

Outdoor holiday parties feel special, and guests remember the experience.

Conclusion: Winter Can Be Your Strongest Season

Restaurants don’t need to close their patios during the most in-demand season for group dining. With a retractable enclosure, winter becomes a growth opportunity, not a slowdown.

Holiday parties, corporate events, and seasonal celebrations all benefit from a patio that’s usable year-round. Guests get the outdoor atmosphere they want, and restaurants gain reliable revenue no matter the weather.

Want to see how a retractable enclosure could transform your patio?

View more Roll-A-Cover projects here.


Contact Roll-A-Cover today for a design and a quote!
p: (203) 393-7292
e: sales@rollacover.com