Benefits of Installing Café Barriers at Your Restaurant or Café

Café barriers. Take a walk down Hardware Lane, Lygon St, or any suburban shopping strip in Melbourne and you’re guaranteed to come across them. Both family restaurants and major franchises have used these multi-purpose structures for decades on end. The question is this; why do they keep turning back to the café barrier again and again?

If you’re running a business in Australia’s entertainment or hospitality sector, there are countless benefits on offer. Let’s take a look into them right now.

A Practical Solution for Outdoor Dining

Outdoor dining has become a must-have for most venues. This includes street front seating, beer gardens, and market stalls. Whether it's a few tables out front or a full al fresco setup, café barriers, or ‘banners’ as they’re also known, help to clearly mark your space and give the area a proper structure.

Without barriers, your tables can look like they’re just floating on the pavement. Add café barriers and suddenly, you’ve got a defined, professional-looking space that helps manage flow, separates your customers from passers-by, all while adding a bit of order to the outdoor chaos.

Protection From Wind and Foot Traffic

Customers want to enjoy their coffee or meal without gusts of wind blowing napkins away or people brushing past their chairs. In this sense, café barrier systems act as a low-profile windbreak that gives your guests a more comfortable dining experience.

Another important benefit is that they also create a buffer from foot traffic, keeping prams, bikes, dogs and delivery drivers, keeping them out of your seating area and away from your customers. Of course, unless you’re investing in our high-wind barriers, most banners will only be able to withstand a reasonable amount of wind, so if very strong wind gusts are forecast, it’s best to play it safe and pack them up.

Visibility and Brand Promotion

Want to create a lasting impression? This is where café barriers really start to pull their weight.

Every café barrier we produce is an opportunity to showcase your brand. We print your logos, menus, slogans or colours directly onto high-quality PVC or canvas banners using eco-friendly Permaset inks. These water-based inks have no harmful chemicals, and offer vibrant colour, durability and strong UV resistance, which are all ideal for Australia’s sun-drenched outdoors.

Instead of acting as a generic setup, your outdoor space essentially becomes a walking billboard. People see your name from up the street, across the road, or as they’re driving past. Create the right logo and colour scheme, and the barriers will be sure to draw the attention of passersby.

Easy to Set Up and Maintain

All our café barrier systems are designed to be easy to set up or store as needed. They're simple to put together, easy to clean, and durable enough to withstand daily wear in a hospitality environment.

Need to update your branding down the line? You can keep the same hardware and just swap out the banners. It’s a cost-effective way to refresh your look without starting from scratch.

Better Printing, Better for the Environment

We use Permaset inks on all our custom barrier banners. These inks are water-based, non-toxic, and free from harmful chemicals like PVC and phthalates. That makes them better for your staff, your customers, and the environment.

But just as importantly, they look great. Vibrant colours, sharp detail, and excellent UV resistance mean your branding stays bold and visible for longer, even under the tough Australian sun.

Built for Australian Conditions

Whether you’re in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or a coastal town somewhere in between, our café barriers are built to handle the weather. We source durable materials and work with reliable local suppliers to verify that everything meets Australian standards. And if you ever need help with replacements or extras, we’re just a phone call or email away.

However, it’s also worth noting that if extreme weather conditions are predicted, it’s best to pack up your barriers and safely store them away.

Designed for Cafés, Restaurants, Pubs and Franchises

We don’t do one-size-fits-all. Every venue is different, and so are your needs. That’s why we offer a range of café barrier systems to suit different layouts, locations, and budgets. Here’s a breakdown of our most popular options.

Round Profile Wind Barriers

Description: 48mm round tube with stretched vinyl fitted.
Sizes: 0.7m, 1.0m, 1.4m, 2.0m.
Features: Sleek, modern appearance; durable and visually appealing. Ideal for café wind barriers in commercial settings.

Square Profile Wind Barriers

Description: Available in solid colour vinyl or acrylic inserts.
Sizes: 0.7m, 1.0m, 1.4m, 2.0m.
Features: Traditional and robust design; customisable with logos and branding.

High Wind Barriers

Description: Half solid colour vinyl with PVC clear top half for extra wind protection.
Sizes: 100cm, 150cm, 200cm.
Features: Superior wind protection; ideal for areas exposed to high wind.

Answering Some Frequently Asked Questions

What Sizes and Colours Are Available?

When ordering café wind barriers, the first step is choosing the right size and colour. Our standard widths are 0.7m, 1m, 1.4m, and 2m, and they’re available in both round and square steel profiles. The standard height is 940mm, though custom heights of up to 1.5m can be made.

Barriers are powder coated in satin black as standard, but we also offer a range of custom colours on request. The inserts come in either heavy-duty vinyl or acrylic fabric, both of which are available in a wide variety of colours and can be branded with your logo.

What Are They Made From?

Our café barriers are constructed using high-grade steel with a durable black powder coat finish. Inserts are made from UV-stable PVC vinyl or premium acrylic fabric. Both options are available in a wide selection of colours, and we can colour match to suit your brand.

Is Branding an Option?

Yes, you can customise your café setup with logo printing on one or both sides of the inserts. We use screen printing, full digital processes, and solvent-free Permaset inks. For small production runs, multi-colour transfers are available too.

How Secure Are They Once Set Up?

To stay stable in high-traffic or windy conditions, our café barriers can be freestanding or connected in a row. Choose from single or double feet, or opt for inground base fittings for added security. Weight bags (10kg each) are also available for extra support and flexibility.

What Footing Choices Are There?

You can select from single foot, double foot, or inground socket base options – either single or double. Each footing style suits different surface types and usage scenarios, so feel free to contact us for recommendations.

Can Existing Frames Be Reused?

Yes, we offer refurbishing services to extend the life of your frames. We can fit brand-new inserts even if your original frames came from another supplier. Reach out to discuss what’s possible.

Do You Offer Delivery?

Yes, we provide same-day delivery in the Melbourne metro area and can ship Australia-wide. Regional and interstate deliveries typically arrive within 2 to 5 days.

Do I Need Council Approval to Set These Up?

In most cases, yes. Local councils require a footpath trading permit to use wind barriers, umbrellas, or display items in public areas. Be sure to check with your local council for specific requirements before installation.

Ready to Get Started? Reach Out to the Indoor Outdoor Team Today

If you’re in the market for high-quality cafe barriers in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, or the Gold Coast, it’s time to make Indoor Outdoor your first call. Operating since 1989, our team has been supplying high end commercial quality Market Umbrellas, Cafe Barriers, Blinds and Folding Arm Awnings for more than 30 years and counting.

We’ve worked with famous restaurants, iconic venues, small local cafés, large franchises, and everything in between. Our team will walk you through your options, handle the printing, and make sure everything arrives ready to go.

Get in touch today to request a quote or chat through your ideas. At Indoor Outdoor, we make it easy to turn your pavement space into something more than just a simple extension.