Operators in the wintriest of locales are maximizing their rooftop bars with creative consumer draws like igloos, skating rinks and curling sheets. And they’re boosting sales with cold-weather menus of hot cocktails and indulgent shareable dishes like fondue.
Just be sure to invest in some insulating tape for the outdoor pipes while getting ready for the snowy season, says Dave Delaplaine of Roofers Union, a three-level bar in Washington, D.C.
“Our first two winters, we had a ton of trouble with pipes bursting in cold weather and it definitely impacted our rooftop operations,” he says. “We had pipes bursting four or five times each winter. This [year], after we wrapped our pipes with heat tape, we didn’t have to deal with a single pipe burst. It was a huge game-changer—and money-saver.”
With that bit of housekeeping out of the way, here’s a look at some enterprising rooftop makeovers that are drawing customers during otherwise slow months.