With triple-digit heatwaves expected again, Sacramento restaurants and bars with mostly outdoor seating are learning how to adapt to the heatwave. Ernesto Delgado, owner of La Cosecha in downtown Sacramento, which has a large outdoor patio with limited indoor seating, said business has suffered because of the heat. “People don't want to be outside too early. It's about this time, around 8 o'clock, when it starts to cool down, but it's too late to be outside,” Delgado says. Delgado says he's had to cut back on staff because of the loss of business. “In the restaurant business, that's what we do. We try to figure out ways, lighten our team and be here for our customers,” Delgado says. Across the river in West Sacramento, Drakes The Barn has also cut hours to adjust to the heat during the day. It's another mostly outdoor venue that's been hurting by rising temperatures this summer. “Obviously, we've had to cut back our hours a little bit because of the heat. We're closed on Tuesdays and opening an hour later on some days,” Drake's The Barn spokesperson LaToya Allen said. The restaurant has installed plenty of water stations, misting sprays and umbrellas throughout the establishment. “Staying hydrated is the most important thing because you want to keep it cool outside and you want to keep yourself cool, so we encourage you to drink water at all times,” Allen said. Additionally, Drake's is hosting more nighttime events to attract more customers, including a night market, movie screenings on the lawn and DJ concerts after dark. Staff members like Sarah Kelly told KCRA 3 they hope people are willing to brave the heat to come to Drake's. “I hate the heat, so I'm not used to it, but I know how to come prepared, so that's all I can do. Hopefully, more people will want to brave the heat. I love this business,” Kelly said. Read more of California's top stories here | Download our app
With another round of sweltering temperatures reaching triple digits in the forecast, Sacramento restaurants and bars, mostly those with outdoor seating, are learning how to adapt to the heatwave.
Ernesto Delgado, owner of La Cosecha in downtown Sacramento, where his restaurant has a large outdoor patio with limited seating inside, has seen sales slow because of the heat.
“People don't want to go outside too early. It's starting to cool down around this time, around 8 p.m., but it's almost too late to go outside,” Delgado said.
Delgado said sluggish sales have forced him to make the cuts.
“In the restaurant business, that's our job. We try to find solutions, keep our team light and be here for our customers,” Delgado said.
Across the river, Drake's the Barn in West Sacramento also reduced its hours to accommodate the heat of the day.
This is another primarily outdoor venue that has been struggling with rising temperatures this summer.
“Obviously we've had to reduce our hours a little bit due to the heat, we're closed on Tuesday and we've decided to open an hour later on some days,” Drake's the Barn spokesperson LaToya Allen said.
The restaurant set up multiple water stations, mist sprayers and umbrellas throughout the venue.
“Staying hydrated is the most important thing because you want to keep it cool on the outside but you also want to keep it cool on the inside, so we always encourage drinking water,” Allen said.
Additionally, Drake's is hosting more nighttime events to attract more customers: night markets, movie screenings on the lawn, DJ concerts after dark, and more.
Staff members like Sarah Kelly told KCRA3 they hope people will brave the heat and come to Drake's.
“I'm not used to the heat, because I really hate it, but I know how to prepare and show up to work, so that's all I can do. Hopefully, more people will be willing to put up with the heat as well. I love my job,” Kelly said.
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