Beer garden: menu, self-service and weather under control

What makes a beer garden special

A beer garden menu has different tasks than a menu in a restaurant. On warm days, many guests arrive simultaneously, often in groups, and want quick access to beer and snacks. Many beer gardens operate fully or partially with self-service. In classic Bavarian beer gardens, it is also tradition to be allowed to bring your own snacks, while drinks are purchased on site.

Menu for self-service

Anyone who queues up to receive the menu wants to know about it beforehand. Long discussions at the counter slow down the line for everyone.

• A short, clear menu with a few classics: Brotzeit, Hendl, Wurst, Obatzda, Pretzel.
• Well legible signs at the exits, even from a distance of several meters.
• Clearly state prices including deposit, for example for jugs.
• A QR code to the menu at the tables, so guests can choose in peace before getting up.

The digital menu at the table does not replace the buffet, it complements it. Guests can check in advance what is available, including allergens and vegetarian dishes, without having to push through the crowd to the buffet.

QR code outside

In outdoor settings, different rules apply to the code:

• Weatherproof stickers or laminated signs that can withstand a downpour.
• Not too shiny, otherwise the sun will cause glare.
• Securely fastened so that wind and guests do not move it.
• A dark, strong code on a light background that is also scannable in the midday sun.

Same-QR offers its own designs for beer and beer gardens, illustrated or with a photo. Because the code is dynamic, you can change the menu during the season without replacing stickers.

Weather and opening hours

Whether the beer garden is open often depends on the weather. Guests want to know this before setting off. A current page with opening hours that you link to from your website, Instagram, and notice board is worth its weight in gold. Same-QR has the template Opening Hours & Directions for this.

Important: If you are closing due to bad weather, you should change this as early in the day as possible – in the Google profile and on the linked page.

Season start

• Check codes and stands before the first day: Are they legible, does the code lead to the current menu?
• Adjust the menu for the new season and check prices.
• Announce the season start, with the date and a note on weather dependency.
• In autumn, clearly communicate the end of the season and switch the codes to the winter schedule or opening hours.

Common mistakes in the beer garden

• Tables that are not readable from the queue.
• Missing information on deposit and self-service.
• Stickers with codes that are no longer scannable after a summer in the sun.
• Opening hours online, which are not adjusted in case of rain.
• No vegetarian option besides chicken and pork knuckle.

Before each season, a walk with a mobile phone and a fresh perspective is worthwhile: Is everything readable, scannable, and up to date? What you notice then will otherwise be noticed by guests.

Frequently asked questions