Following a cold and rainy June that left outdoor seating areas largely deserted, the onset of hot weather in Moscow has significantly increased traffic to restaurant verandas. Industry representatives acknowledge that spring and early summer were economically challenging, and at least a couple of warm months are required for businesses to break even.
The current heatwave (with temperatures exceeding +33°C, surpassing popular resort destinations and setting a record for July 10) has directly stimulated the demand for summer verandas, which was almost non-existent during the cold June. Business FM surveyed industry figures to understand how the situation has changed with the arrival of warmer weather.
According to the experts interviewed, warm weather is a critically important factor for the success of summer verandas. Denis Ivanov, founder of several restaurants, emphasizes the strong dependence of the business on climate, noting that after cold and rainy months, verandas are popular again, but at least two months of stable warmth are needed to compensate for earlier losses.
Denis Ivanov, Founder of Sibir Sibir, Ku, and Kronbacher Restaurants:
«It`s a very short period so far. Summer is still short — but it`s good that the heat is back. Good weather is always very important for verandas. And when it`s cold and raining in Moscow, it always has a bad effect. Coolness is not cold, but it was specifically cold and rainy. I think verandas are a very significant contribution to restaurant operations during the summer because many people leave, people are used to the feeling of summer after all. We are very dependent and sensitive to the weather. Weather plays a key role in this sense… We need at least two months of warm summer… This summer has been tough compared to previous ones in terms of economic indicators, and dependence on weather — starting from spring — restaurants are not having the best time.»
Evgenia Levshitskaya from the Perelman People restaurant holding also observes the return of visitors to verandas but points out the impact of the vacation season starting in mid-July, when many leave the capital. She characterizes the current summer, starting from May, as economically difficult for the industry.
Evgenia Levshitskaya, Partner at Perelman People Restaurant Holding:
«People have gone to the verandas. Yesterday, for example, I was at our restaurant, sitting inside, but most people were sitting outside. It was during lunchtime — in my opinion, sitting outside during lunchtime in Moscow is already against the law, your head stops working. But nevertheless, it doesn`t bother people — apparently, everyone missed the sun so much. There`s another story starting in mid-July called `vacation season`. Most people have left the capital: some to the Moscow region, others flew to the sea. So, globally speaking, can anything be compensated now… Both restaurants and fashion brands suffered this year because we, of course, suffered since May. We weren`t counting on June at all. Honestly, we hope September and October will give us warm weather, and everything will eventually be fine… It hit hard. But again: it all starts from May.»
Restaurateur Semyon Nebolsin confirms the increase in veranda attendance compared to June and notes that even with gas heaters, June was weak. He also mentions a general negative trend in recent months related to inflation, rising food and salary costs, which led to decreased sales.
Restaurateur Semyon Nebolsin:
«Verandas vary. Specifically in our case, they have started to pay off. Especially since we use gas heaters, and in principle, people sat on the veranda in June. Now there are more guests compared to June, when the weather really wasn`t summery. Overall, the last few months have shown a relatively negative trend: inflation was felt very strongly, food and salaries became more expensive — all this affected the price of dishes, and consequently, sales decreased.»
Traditionally, the season for summer verandas in Moscow continues until November.
