Why Hospitality Venues Are Switching to Gas Fire Pits
More hospitality venues are choosing gas fire pits to extend outdoor seating, improve guest comfort, and reduce maintenance.
Lafite Bar Table OFG225
Introduction
Across the UK, more hospitality venues are rethinking how they design their outdoor spaces. From boutique hotels to high-street restaurants and independent cafés, one clear trend has emerged: a move toward gas fire pits.
They create a warm, welcoming environment that extends outdoor use throughout the year—something especially valuable in the UK climate. But beyond ambience, gas fire pits offer practical, financial and operational advantages that make them an increasingly popular choice for commercial spaces.
Cleaner, More Controlled Heat
Unlike wood-burning options, gas fire pits deliver consistent, controlled heat at the push of a button. For venues with outdoor seating, this reliability matters:
- No smoke lingering around customers
- No sparks or embers causing safety issues
- No need for constant tending or refuelling
This creates a more pleasant dining or drinking experience—especially in busy terraces where comfort directly affects dwell time and revenue.
Could you imagine smoke in these settings?
Faster Turnaround and Easier Operation
Hospitality staff juggle enough already. Gas fire pits reduce workload by offering:
- Instant ignition
- Adjustable flame height
- Simple on/off operation
- No ash disposal or wood storage
- No staff training needed for safe use
This makes them highly practical during busy periods, when efficiency and consistency are essential.
Manhattan OFG103
Lunar Bowl OFG101
Better for Urban & High-Footfall Locations
Many cities and towns restrict wood burning due to smoke control regulations. Gas fire pits allow venues to create a fire feature without breaching environmental rules.
They’re ideal for:
- Smoke-controlled zones
- Rooftop bars
- Courtyards with limited ventilation
- Pavement seating areas
Because the flame is clean and contained, gas fire pits also minimise the risk of smoke drifting into neighbouring businesses.
Lafite Bar Table OFG225
Lower Ongoing Maintenance
Hospitality venues need solutions that perform well with minimal upkeep. Gas fire pits require far less maintenance than wood-burning alternatives:
- No soot or ash build-up
- No chimney or flue needed
- Annual servicing is usually sufficient
- Burners and components are easy to replace
For large venues or chains, this reduction in ongoing maintenance translates directly into cost savings over time.
Consistency of Supply
A gas fire pit ensures predictable operation during service hours. Venues can choose between:
- Propane gas tanks (simple, portable, easy to store), or
- Direct natural gas feed (ideal for high-usage locations, unlimited supply)
Many commercial fire pits can also be converted to natural gas later if the venue expands or renovates its outdoor area.
Better Space Planning & Layout Options
Gas fire pits come in a wide range of designs—tables, standalone units, linear burners—allowing venues to tailor their outdoor aesthetic. Stand-alone gas fire pits, in particular, give hospitality venues more layout flexibility, letting them reposition seating or reconfigure terrace layouts throughout the year.
Capertee OFG411
Enhancing Ambience & Customer Experience
The visual impact of a flame instantly elevates an outdoor setting. For hospitality businesses, this can:
- Increase customer dwell time
- Boost evening trade
- Encourage guests to use outdoor spaces in colder months
- Improve first impressions from the street
- Create an “Instagrammable” focal point
A well-designed gas fire pit can make the difference between an empty terrace and a full one.
Conclusion
Hospitality venues are embracing gas fire pits because they offer the perfect balance of beauty, safety, and practicality. With clean heat, minimal maintenance, fast operation, and strong aesthetic value, they help businesses maximise their outdoor areas and create memorable customer experiences year-round.