Outdoor furniture must do much more than just withstand the elements - although clearly that's a good place to start.
You're not just buying for durability though, or you'd have all of your customers seated on concrete benches.
Good outdoor furniture combines this strength and weatherproofing with comfort and versatility - which is not a million miles away from what indoor furniture must do, too.
Materials
Your choice of materials is, if anything, wider with outdoor furniture than with that designed for indoor use.
There's plenty of wooden furniture to choose from, along with 'wood effect' finishes that give the same aesthetic appeal, but are perhaps more durable in long-term exposure to wet conditions.
Aluminium and wicker are both popular options, and modern polymers have come a long way too, with some very striking designs now available.
Overcoming the Elements
Think about where you will place your furniture - is it especially rainy? Especially windy? Will it remain outside in extremes of heat or cold?
Different materials perform differently in different conditions, which sounds obvious but is important to note, so that you choose the best material for your needs.
For example, in windy areas you might opt for heavier outdoor furniture that will not need weighing down, recognising the fact that it will not always be occupied.
Packing Away
At the end of the day, if your beer garden or other outdoor area is not fully secure, you will probably want to pack your furniture away.
Stackable chairs and tables make it easy to do this, without giving over too much of your storage space to your furniture.
If it is not practical to move the furniture indoors every day, you may prefer to choose heavier tables and chairs that are more difficult to move without permission, or designs that can be anchored down.
Striking a Balance
Whatever you choose to do, remember that some of your needs will contradict one another - you might want furniture that can be moved by customers, but is not easy to take from your premises.
You might want soft upholstery, but not if it makes your furniture more susceptible to weather damage.
Modern outdoor furniture is designed to meet these opposing needs in the best way possible, without you feeling like you have to make a compromise.