CINCINNATI, Ohio—Now that it’s officially fall, local restaurants and breweries that have relied on outdoor seating this summer are trying to figure out how to continue to accommodate their customers as the weather grows colder. Cincinnati brewery Fifty West hopes to keep people coming in while still staying outdoors and being safe.
What You Need To Know
- Many restaurants, bars and breweries have relied on outdoor seating this summer while many people are not comfortable eating inside just yet
- Fifty West Brewery in Cincinnati took a big risk at the beginning of the pandemic, opening a burger bar and beer garden
- Thanks to that risk, this has been the best summer Fifty West has ever had
- To keep the momentum going, the brewery is planning to transform into a winter wonderland complete with an ice skating rink, heated tent, fire pits and igloos to keep people coming while still enjoying being safe outside
When we were here just a couple of months ago for a story, Bobby Slattery, the owner said they wanted to make this burger bar and beer garden happen to keep employees. And he said that’s still the main reason for several ideas to keep the momentum going into the winter.
This summer has been the best summer Fifty West has ever seen. And that’s thanks in part to a big risk by owner Bobby Slattery. Opening a burger bar and beer garden at the height of the pandemic turned out to be highly successful, but Slattery knew he had to keep the momentum going.
“The idea of downsizing our staff and putting our people in a situation where they had to go figure it out on their own, it kind of made us start thinking about what else can we do here?” Slattery said. “So, it may sound crazy, but we’re going to build an ice skating rink out here. We’re going to create we look at it as a winter wonderland.”
Soon these sand volleyball courts will turn into an ice skating rink, made by the same company that does Rockefeller Plaza. Fire pits, heated tents and even igloos will also be part of the outdoor area.
“We’re trying to think of how can you accommodate those needs of people right now in a time where maybe everyone doesn’t feel comfortable sitting indoors,” Slattery said.
Fifty West also wanted to keep in mind that it’s a family friendly brewery. Parents say it’s been a great place to bring the kids this summer.
“We definitely like the family atmosphere, it’s definitely family friendly,” dad and Fifty West customer Andrew Aubrey said. “And the milkshakes, she loves the milkshakes!”
And parents are excited to see more options this winter to keep their kids entertained and outside.
“With everything that’s going on people are realizing how much family time is important to them,” Aubrey said. “I think it’s great.”
Slattery says while he’s looking forward to the winter wonderland, he knows there’s risks involved.
“It’s easy to be excited about it when you’re sitting here in 75 degree weather and you’re enjoying this space now,” Slattery said. ” If it’s negative two degrees outside will you still want to come outside and have a cheese burger and ice skate with us?”
But he says, the pandemic has taught him that this is the time to take risks and he encourages other businesses to try something new to continue to keep customers engaged.
“Use the excuse of COVID as your chance to do something you might not have done before,” he said.
Fifty west will transform into a winter wonderland over the next month or two.
