Patio Set

Outdoor patio furniture cover, High grade outdoor furniture protection

2011-12-18T22:43:00.000-08:00

Although we’d prefer to have some nice sunny weather all year round, we can’t afford not to have an outdoor patio furniture cover handy. Even though it might not be needed if you just have some cheap plastic garden tables and chairs, these outdoor patio furniture covers are an absolute necessity when you have high quality wood furniture that you wish to keep in perfect condition for many years to come.

These vinyl outdoor patio furniture covers will protect your patio furniture from the outside weather, ensuring a long lifetime with minimum maintenance and effort. No matter what you may have in your patio, there’s a cover for it: tables and chairs, fire pit, sofas, chaise lounges, barbeque grills, patio heaters, you name it.

If you don’t want to worry every time rain comes pouring down, "outdoor patio furniture covers" is your best medicine. Your high quality wood furniture will be just as safe outside as if it were under your roof. Now you just need to wait for the sun to shine once again, so you can remove those covers and enjoy your patio once again. Even though those covers provide a useful service, its one of those things we wish to use as little as possible.

How to Refinish Metal Patio Furniture

2010-05-16T03:19:00.001-07:00

Instructions

1. 1
  Remove rubber tips and cushions (if there
rubber tips and cushions (if there are any).
Step2
Wash furniture with a mild detergent (you'll probably need some rags or a scrub brush) and rinse.
Step3
Use a wire brush to scrape off rust and loose paint flakes.
Step4
Look carefully: if paint has bubbled (a sign of rust underneath) use a screwdriver or chisel to break the bubble and chip away the bubbled paint, and then scrape with a wire brush.
Step5
Remove rust with commercial rust remover.
Step6
Paint or spray with rust-resistant paint. If the furniture is very corroded, you may want to prime first with rust-resistant primer.
Step7
Let dry. Plan on 12 to 24 hours for each coat, depending on weather and temperature.
Step8
Replace any rubber tips and cushions.

Teak Patio Furniture Use And Care

2010-03-10T05:24:00.000-08:00

When the weather gets colder, many homeowners face a dilemma: to keep their patio furniture outside, with proper weatherproofing, or take it inside and try to accommodate in a basement or garage. But with teak patio furniture, you will no longer want to stash the patio set in the basement. Instead, you will want to flaunt it all year long.

Teak patio furniture is becoming more popular each day, with more designers exploring the timeless charm of teak wood. This wood, which grows in Burma, Indonesia and other exotic locations, is extremely durable, light and convenient, and it ages with a stunning grace.

According to historians, woven wicker furniture was first used in ancient Egypt. But since that time teak has become a favorite of garden furniture manufacturers only in the beginning of the 20th century, when white garden furniture has been labeled as boring and the prominent garden decorator Gertrude Jekyll claimed that gray- or green-toned garden furniture is more attractive. Since teak weathers to a beautiful silvery gray, it has soon become a popular wood of choice for many garden and patio furniture manufacturers.

Teak is one of the most valuable woods today. Teak wood grows in severe climatic conditions in Burma and Indonesia. Teak is a very hard wood resistant to wind, pests, sun, and humidity. In addition, teak does not splinter. For centuries, teak was used in marine building, which means that teak patio furniture can be easily left outside even in harsh climate conditions.

One of the most remarkable features of teak wood is its ability to change color with age. When new, its color varies from light to dark brown and over years becomes a light silver gray. The first ?gray hair? in teak furniture will be noticeable after three to four months of use, depending on how contrasting the climate conditions are in your area. For example, if you have cold nights and hot sunny days, teak patio furniture will turn to gray faster. Natural teak will become gray in about a year.

To preserve this beautiful taupe shade of gray, you can wash the teak patio furniture every spring with mild detergent and water. To prevent dust accumulation you may wash the furniture with your regular garden hose, keeping the water pressure at low.

Even though teak wood does not splinter, it may develop small cracks with time. Teak wood contains a high amount of natural wood oils, so it will not develop deep structural cracks. There is no need to treat teak wood with any kind of wood sprays or oils to protect it; however, the teak wood oil does create a pretty surface sheen. You may apply oil when you plan to leave the teak furniture outside for a long period of time, or when the wood starts to show gray.

Since in most cases teak wood is left untreated when used for teak patio furniture, you should avoid spilling food or drinks on the wood surface. If you do happen to ?leave your mark?, don?t use any harsh detergents to remove it. Any marks will eventually fade with time. When the stain is noticeable, you may scrub the area with mild sandpaper. Ultra-violet rays also damage the sheen of the teak furniture, and an annual treatment with properly labeled teak wood oil is recommended. Make sure that your teak wood furniture is clean and dry before treating, because you don?t want to trap any water under the coat of oil.

Enjoy Your Patio Set on Your New Deck

2010-01-22T18:50:00.000-08:00

By Kevin Garcia

A friend of mine recently bought a new teak patio set for the new deck he had built. Normally this is a project he would have taken on himself as he is sort of a do it your selfer. But, for some reason he farmed this one out and seeing it I could understand why. I prefer an outdoor patio to a deck but his was a thing of beauty. The patio set sat right next to his combination smoker/wood fired grill and boy was it a gem.

I've always known this guy had a fine eye for quality but this time he had really outdone himself. The musky darkness of the teak furniture was subtle yet striking and went well with the overall design of his deck. The deck itself had sort of a Japanese zen feel to it and the teak fit in perfectly. If I had to estimate I would say that conservatively it added at least ten to fifteen thousands dollars to the value of his house. I was happy that he heeded my advice and got rid of the crappy aluminum stuff he had before. And I could tell by the look of pride on his face showing it off that he was just as pleased.

So look, whether you decide to call it patio furniture, lawn furniture, or outdoor garden furniture quality and durability are crucial to your choice. I don't care if are buying chairs, tables, dining sets, bar stools, or swings and hammocks, buying superior products is never the wrong choice. You just can never go too far wrong by buying the absolute best.

Let's say you decide to go all out and buy exactly what you have been pining for. You know that your patio set will outshine everything on your block. But make sure that you also buy a good quality covering for it. Don't skimp on this, especially if you don't have an outdoor garden shed to store it in during those long winter months.

I will assume that you are looking at your beautiful outdoor garden furniture as a long term investment. That being the case, make certain that you take into consideration your own particular climate when figuring out how to store your patio set. Do you live in a dry or moist climate? Will your outdoor furniture be in the direct sunlight? Are insects or rodents going to be an issue?

Best Caribbean Honeymoon Locations For Patio Set Lounging

2010-01-12T19:24:00.000-08:00

Lounge on the beach or the beautiful resort patio set at the locations in these three great Caribbean honeymoon countries.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Like most poor nations, when traveling to the Domincan Republic for a 4 or 5 star resort vacation, you will be treated like a king. The locals that live and work in the resorts of the Domincan Republic know that the Europeans and Americans are keeping them in business and giving them a job (and sometimes good tips) so they will all but bow down to your feet. The major locations for tourism are in the coastal provinces of Punta Cana and Puerto Plata mostly. If you want a quiet vacation away from much of the hustle and bustle and touristy Spring Break type of resorts in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta than you should check out the Dominican Republic.

Nassau, Bahamas

The capital and largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau is an eclectic and energetic city with a lot to offer. You can find a lively night life scene and a relaxing beach atmosphere just minutes away from each other. The city is known for its beauty and important locations for many films, featuring in numerous James bond films as well as various other often water or beach themed movies that are looking for a picturesque setting and location. The Beatles also filmed scenes for their film “Help!” in Nassau. Tourism is one of the large attractions in the city and there are also many well known parades and holidays with the Junkanoo parade brining in tourists from all over the world.

Palmas Del Mar, Puerto Rico

The area of Puerto Rico is mostly mountainous with beautiful white sand beaches in the coastal areas to the north and south. Originally an agricultural country exporting much sugar, tourism is now one of its main economic components, brining in an approximate $1.8 billion dollars in revenue with 5 million tourists visiting the island in the year 1999, today it is assuredly much higher. Most of Puerto Rico is still very poor, with a median household income of around $17,000 which is still much less than the poorest state in the United States. Nevertheless, it is a great tourist location with many lovely resorts that are both relaxing and exciting. Puerto Ricans are very friendly to fellow Americans.

For More Workers, Home Is Where the Office Is

2010-01-03T15:49:00.000-08:00

By Colleen DeBaise
On 8:06 pm EST, Sunday January 3, 2010

So maybe 2010 will be the year that you finally break out on your own. Voluntarily or not.

As we continue to dig ourselves out of the deepest recession since the Great Depression, many of us have lost corporate jobs. Others worry that layoffs are lurking. We're taking on free-lance assignments, contract work and short-term projects -- and getting them done in the extra bedroom, eat-in kitchen or spare corner in the utility room.

The home is the new hotbed of entrepreneurial activity.

For those who have temporarily joined the ranks of the self-employed, a home office is the natural (and cheapest) place to get work done. For others who are using severance packages to take a shot at entrepreneurship, the home can be an ideal incubator to test out ideas. Many a successful venture began life in a garage (Hewlett-Packard, in 1938) or launched from a living room (LinkedIn, in 2003).

In many cases, it makes sense to grow the business at home before moving into a separate physical location. Other times, your new venture, career or sideline is simply well-suited to be run out of your home. And in a tough economy, a business owner who has rented office space might return to a home office to trim costs.

About 52% of all small businesses are home-based -- representing a broad swath of industries, from software development and mail-order sales to plumbing and general contracting -- according to statistics from the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy.

What are the advantages of working from home? The easy commute, for starters, followed by the flexibility and the informal dress code. There also are tax write-offs: As long as you use a portion of your home exclusively and regularly for business, you can deduct a percentage of your rent or mortgage interest, utility bills, repairs and other costs.

Yet there are some distinct disadvantages, too. Most frequently cited is the lack of social interaction. For others, the home is one giant distraction. A pile of dirty dishes, a screaming child or even a sunny patio might compete for attention. Often, friends and family who don't understand you are truly working might call or stop by.

The home can be a difficult place to meet customers or clients, especially if you don't have an extra room or an appropriate place for a business discussion. When it comes to hiring employees, some home-based entrepreneurs say there isn't enough space or that it feels too invasive to have staff in the house. Most home-based businesses (about 93%) don't have employees, according to SBA statistics. Often, it's the need to hire employees that forces home-based entrepreneurs to rent space elsewhere. Lastly, the line between work and personal life can easily blur when working from home.

As such, it's important to come up with a set of practices to maintain some degree of separation between your work and personal life. Here are some ways to do so:

Have a separate office space. Ideally, your work space is in a separate room, with a door that closes, good ventilation and lighting. The bedroom is the worst place for a home office, as work becomes the first and last thing you see each day. If you don't have a spare room, screens or cabinets can help divide your work and living spaces.

Install office equipment. Make sure you have a phone line and a computer (with high-speed Internet access) dedicated to your business. Install any necessary business software on the PC, and consider other office-grade equipment as needed: copiers, scanners, work desks, filing cabinets and the like.

Set a timetable. Keeping regular business hours (such as 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with weekends off) will assist you in dealing with clients, customers, suppliers and vendors -- and make it easier for you to have a social life.

Fashion work hours around logical periods of productivity, such as when a spouse leaves for work or kids go off to school. If you live by yourself, set a finite end of the day.

Take breaks. A big challenge for home-based business owners is setting aside time for small breathers or lunch. Short breaks can reduce stress, improve productivity and prevent burnout.

Limit household tasks. Be disciplined about not letting household errands and chores interfere with your work day. Consider getting housekeeping help to free up more time and energy for work.

Get child care. While many parents choose to be home-based to be closer to their kids, young ones can easily distract you from work. Consider getting full- or part-time child-care help, or sharing responsibilities with a spouse or family members.

Communicate to others that you are really working. Make sure those close to you respect your decision to work at home. Ask friends and family not to call or stop by during the day, or if they do, to keep it brief.

Chris Russell, founder of the job-posting site AllCountyJobs.com in Trumbull, Conn., says even his wife, who works outside the home, sometimes forgets that he's trying to work. "My wife will say to me, 'Can you go to the dry cleaners for me? Can you start dinner early?' " he says. "I give her a little friendly reminder: 'I'm working, dear.' "

Presented by Gallery At Knotty Pine

2009-12-19T20:00:00.000-08:00

Takes place on 12/17/2009

At , 787 Route 10, West Swanzey, NH

PO Box 96, W. Swanzey, NH 03469

DECEMBER ESTATE AUCTIONS THURS, DEC 3rd, 17th @ 6 PM MAIN EPHEMERA, ADVERTISING, TOYS & COLLECTIBLES AUCTION THURS. DEC. 10th @ 6 PM

THURS, DEC 3rd @ 6 PM: We will be selling antiques and accessories from a New Ipswich, NH estate along with additions from several area homes for a nice Thursday evening sale. FURNITURE: 19th C Boston rocker; 19th C pine 2-drawer blanket chest on turned feet; Sheraton pine deck-top dressing table w/pressed brass rosette pulls; pine dry sink; pine open-top 2-pc step-back hutch; pine drop leaf table; pine Hepplewhite-style drop leaf table; cottage pine tables; pine 1-drawer stand; selection of various Windsor chairs; set of maple ladder back chairs; (2) painted deacons benches; walnut vanity w/mirror; maple bedroom furniture by Beals-Portland, ME (chests, stand, beds, etc); custom maple slant front desk w/single drawer; oak lamp table; bookcases; selection of 19th C Vict chairs & rockers. ACCESSORIES: (2) 19th C wooden childs sleds; lg selection of old bottles (whiskeys, medicines, flasks, bitters & canning jars); fireplace equipment; brass candlesticks; ephemera & estate books; 19th & 20th C paintings & prints; iron bridge lamps; braided & hooked rugs; dolls & toys; bone china cups & sau-cers; advertising items; Limoges china; sterling; white ironstone; Staffordshire transfer ware; stone-ware; mixing bowls; enamel ware; clocks; lamps & lanterns; fishing equipment; snow shoes; antlers; jewelry; Meerschaum pipe; country accessories; decoys; tools. EQUIPMENT: (2) Minn Kota boat mo-tors; Gamefisher 5.0 motor; Craftsman 5.5 hp mower; newer Whirlpool washer & dryer; Homelite & Craftsman rototillers; weed wackers; Craftsman air compressor; 16 McCulloch chain saw; extension ladder; pump motor; television sets; square-back canoe & a selection of hand tools.

THURS, DEC 10th @ 6 PM: MAIN EPHEMERA, ADVERTISING, TOYS & COLLECTIBLES: We will be selling 400+ lots of fresh 19th & 20th Century ephemera, product advertising, toys, dolls and acces-sories, and collectibles from various NE homes and estates, as well as items from the Bennington Mu-seum (Bennington, VT) for a very diverse and interesting Thursday evening sale. This sale will include the following categories: Fine selection of antique & vintage toys (cast iron, pressed steel, tin litho, etc); dolls & accessories; games & puzzles; selection of canvas wall maps (ex Bennington Museum); estate books (19th & 20th C, various subjects including juveniles); soap & wash day advertising & ephemera; very nice selection of 19th C photography (cabinet, CDV, tintypes, ambrotypes, daguerreotypes, albu-mins & more to include Lincoln & other political, Civil War soldiers, exterior, occupational & more); political items; postcards; trade cards & scrap albums; stereo view cards & viewers; nice selection of advertising (signstin, litho, glass, etc); product premiums (signs, fans, tins, trays & more); periodicals; movie; entertainment & WWI posters; collection of Albert Arthur Allen nude photos & more; original illustrator art; cookie jars; medals & tokens; gum ball machines & much, much more. For full listing & photo gallery, please look online at www.knottypineantiques.comor call us at 1-800-352-5251. (Listing & photos available on line approx 2 weeks prior to sale.)

THURS, DEC 17th @ 6 PM: GENERAL ESTATE AUCTIONFINAL SALE OF 2009: This sale is a very large & diverse mix of antique and custom furnishings and accessories from various N.E. homes and estates. This sale will include hundreds and hundreds of lots, so plan on a long evening with many surprises and something for everyone. This will be a very partial listing very partial. FURNITURE: Continental carved walnut sideboard; 19th C carved Mexican desk; painted long dresser; 4-drawer walnut chest; Chinese lacquered liquor cabinet; modern Chippendale-style cabinet; brass bed; bookcases; Ethan Allen maple end tables; nice 19th C Hoosier cabinet w/enamel shelf; 19th C drop leaf tables; 1-drawer pine stand; custom stands & tables; blanket boxes; trunks; selection of Windsors & other chairs; 19th C chairs & rockers; wicker; (2) early 20th C barber chairs; lg walnut multi-section Chippendale-style office suite (desks, cabinets, etc); 6 pc metal & glass patio set. ACCESSORIES: Paisley shawl; teak wood letter box; lg selection mid-20th C vintage clothing & accessories; champleve; selection of copper cookware; Oriental & hooked rugs; 19th & 20th C paintings & prints; old frames; costume jewelry; selection of sterling & silver plate; quilts & coverlets; material; wrought iron; floor lamps; jardinieres; estate books; toys & games; stoneware; brass ware; kitchenware & country primitives; linens; dolls (modern) & accessories; ephemera; advertising; lighting; tools; lg selection of glassware & china; metal wares; pottery; mirrors; washing equipment; fireplace equipment; selection of Hopalong Cassidy bicycle parts & pieces; and much, much more too numerous to list.

TERMS OF SALES: 15% Buyers Premium Visa & MasterCard Accepted Left & Phone Bids Accepted w/Credit Card Deposit Not Responsible for Errors or Omissions ALL LOTS SOLD AS IS & ALL SALES FINAL! JOHN S. PAPPAS ~ AUCTIONEER NH License #4006 VT License #2416 MA License #2734

Gallery Phone: 603-352-2313 Fax: 603-352-5019

www.knottypineantiques.com

Outdoor Furniture – Finding The One The Perfectly Fit Your Outdoor Space

2009-11-20T00:12:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, November 17 2009 @ 10:38 AM Central Standard Time
There are times that you are bored staying inside your home. You want to stay in your patio while waiting for the sunset. But you cannot enjoy staying outside your home if your do not have the right furniture set.

It will be better if you are going to add some spice to your patio in order to have an inviting ambiance. You can start searching for all the furniture and fixture that you can add to your patio space. Actually as you do your search with those magazines, TV shows and internet, you will be able to get an idea of how you can transform your home into something great and appealing.

Buying outdoor furniture may be a tedious task for all. Imagine the task of making observations to your outdoor space. You usually do some brain storming on how you can make your home a haven of style and beauty. As you go to the different furniture store you will encounter different style and design of furniture. And because you encounter a lot of them, it is very hard for you to pick your choice. Actually there is lots of furniture that you can install for your outdoor space, but the problem is that you do not know which one to pick.

The first thing that you can do in order to narrow down your search is to the right materials that you want for your outdoor space. Outdoor furniture usually comes in different materials such as wicker, teak, aluminum, wood and plastics. It is important to know the materials that you want for your outdoor furniture so that it will be easier for you to do the search.

When searching for the outdoor furniture, you have to determine where you want to place this furniture. There is some furniture that are intended for garden use only and some are for patios space only. In this way you will be able to know which one to pick that will perfectly match with your outdoor space.

It is also important to determine the color scheme and the setting. Furniture for you patio are made to take the rigors of the weather that comes with the outdoor living. It is also important to measure the area where you place to place this furniture. In this way you can surely pick the one that is just enough in terms of size for your home.

If you have limited budget it is important that you have top conduct a window shopping first so that you can have the chance to make some comparison when it comes to the prices of the furniture. Window shopping allows you to buy patio furniture that perfectly fit your style, design and budget.

Allison Ayson
Patio Furniture

How To: Choose windows and patio doors

2009-11-15T22:53:00.001-08:00

NOVEMBER 13, 2009
Whether building or remodeling, windows and patio doors are an integral design factor in your project and a reflection of your tastes. They can be practical elements in your home, like garage windows, or they can enhance architectural features, like a living room bay window with transoms. Windows and patio doors serve as a gateway between your protected living environment and Mother Nature surrounding you, so care must be taken in their selection. Today you have a myriad of choices when shopping for windows.

Materials: Raw pine is the most common wood used on interior window sash, frames and panels but customer demand is changing this also, with oak, hemlock, cherry and walnut interiors now being manufactured.

Vinyl products are popular because they are normally affordable, they can be custom-sized to your rough openings for a small nominal cost, and they require little maintenance during the life of the product. Vinyl does not rot, rust, warp or corrode and the multi-chambered extruded frames provide optimal thermal efficiency during harsh winter months. However, vinyl cannot be painted so once you select a color, you will have to live with that color for the life of the product.

If you have your heart set on the warm tones and beauty that only a wood interior on your windows can radiate, look for aluminum, fiberglass, copper, or vinyl cladding on the exterior to cut down on the maintenance. Most American made windows use raw natural pine interiors; although some companies offer cherry, oak, knotty pine, walnut and other premium woods for an upgrade.

Window manufacturers usually offer standard and custom colors of cladding. Your architectural style and budget will best determine what you can select for your project.

Plenty of options: Windows come in many styles and functions: venting and non-venting; double hung where both sashes slide up and down; gliders that slide side-to-side; casements that crank out; and awnings that tilt out. There are also specialty units like bays, bows, garden windows, glass block windows and custom shapes like triangles and trapezoids.

Energy concerns nationwide have made consumers more aware of the glass glazing options available to them. Different glass is designed to help you maintain optimal comfort in your home regardless of where you live.

Research and technology have now given us products that optimize the energy efficiency of our windows. Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings on the glass, Argon and Krypton gas fillings in the sealed cavity between the two panes of glass, tripane glazing with three panes of glass separating two sealed air spaces and even polyester films permanently suspended between the panes of glass are readily available. The Low E coatings are sprayed on the inside of the panes of glass in the sealed airspace and they maximize heat collected from the sun.

Warm edge spacers between the panes of glass decrease radiant cold transference across the spacer channel, reducing condensation and discoloration on the sash.

Window manufactures now have their products independently certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) against a set of standards of thermal performance. The consumer can easily compare products to see if they meet his energy efficiency needs. Use the U-factor rating to compare products. The lower the U-factor, the better the glazing resists heat transfer and the higher the energy performance.

Minnesota is a pioneer in setting minimum performance standards for windows. You should also check air infiltration rates since they vary widely by product line. Double hungs and gliders must be loose enough to slide in the track so they always have higher air infiltration rates than casement windows. Casements, however, crank out away from the house so they can impede traffic flow in a walkway or get rain on both sides of the sash if inadvertently left open in inclement weather. Because there is so much to consider when purchasing windows for your home, you need to find a dealer who is able to educate you about all aspects of the products.

Condensation: Condensation problems arise because air can only hold a limited amount of water vapor and cold air holds substantially less than warm air. Air, cooled by contact with a cold surface like a piece of window glass, may deposit some moisture on the glass. The moisture on the glass is an indication of the level of humidity in the home, not the quality of the window. Excess water needs to be controlled to prevent discoloration of wood, mildew on walls and ceilings, and water or ice buildup on windows. If your home does not have an air exchanger, it is important to control humidity so you do not have mold growing in your home during the cold winter months when you normally do not have the windows open.

The Best Bar Patios in Los Angeles

2009-11-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

A Drink In The Sun Is The Mostest Fun

BY ALEXIS JOHNSON

Posted: 08/26/2009 10:10:04 AM PDT

Chateau Marmont

Perhaps the most iconic, Chateau's patio/backyard is still one of the most gorgeous places to eat/drink in town. Low lighting, caned chairs and, of course, the constant eye candy (whether you're looking for hotties, your next meal ticket or just someone to read your script) means the atmosphere is always one of promise while the energy, especially during the summer, is on full blast. Just beware, reservations are required and can only be made two weeks in advance, which sounds like plenty of time, but really, things fill up quickly.

Palihouse Holloway

The French bistro, The Hall, situated on the first floor of this new WeHo institution spills out into the interior courtyard where mostly locals enjoy a cocktail (or three) at the small tables. The ambiance is one of the best with minimal attitude and pretty people looking even prettier by candlelit. Inside, DJs take over the ones and twos in the rec-room-inspired lobby lounge. Feels just like home. Be on the lookout for the (hopefully) soon-to-open sequel: Palihouse Vine, next to Bardot and Avalon on Hollywood and Vine.

Bar Lubitsch

Though tiny, the streetside patio at Bar Lubitsch is usually crowded and is a good place to meet people, especially if you're looking to bum a smoke. The patio is enclosed by vine-encrusted iron gates, giving the whole space a secret garden appeal even with the Russian-themed bar's interior glowing through the windows.

Renee's

Long the standard in Westside hangouts, this entirely brick patio is always a scene for Westsiders--from recent grads to after-work entrepreneurs. Beers tend to be the drink of choice and seating can be hard to come by, which just makes it easier to pick up a date. Definitely stay outside if possible--the weird, doll-festooned decor inside is always a little creepy.

Pete's

One of Downtown's busiest spots, the patio is usually pretty chill even when the bar inside is packed. Probably because you need a table, but that shouldn't deter you from grabbing one--the twinkle lights and streetside people watching are reason enough to order some snacks (like blue cheese or chipotle fries or mac 'n' cheese--Pete's has one of the best in town).

Verdugo Bar

Tucked away in Glassell Park, the patio at Verdugo boasts a beer pong, er, ping pong, table and loads of benches. Nearly each night of the week is a different party, which you can track on theirtwitter.