Dec. 15, 2021

While the pandemic pushed a few food and drink establishments to offer outdoor dining solutions last winter, many of those options are valued more this year for their ambience.

One popular option from last year is missing, though. Granite City Food & Brewery isn’t bringing back its four ice-fishing pods because thieves stole the propane tanks for the fire pit heaters, associate manager Catie Hanssen said.

From igloos to heated patios, here are some options for dining and drinking alfresco.

Fernson Downtown

The downtown taproom for Fernson Brewing Co. is bringing back its two clear geodesic igloos, but this year each one will have a different theme.

One is styled as a winter cottage, and the other is a greenhouse.

“We’ll have different furniture in each, according to the theme,” said Andrew Helland, Fernson’s marketing specialist. “It’s a totally immersive experience. All five senses will be engaged.”

The cottage-themed igloo has a heater that looks like an old woodstove, while the greenhouse is filled with artificial plants. Each one has a themed playlist, or people can play their own music.

“The cottage is for people who want to celebrate winter, or they can use the greenhouse to escape winter,” Helland said.

As a bonus, guests on the patio can enjoy the lights on the adjacent MarketBeat Holiday Plaza.

“It’s super fun being right on Phillips Avenue in downtown with the lights and the energy in the air. It’s a totally different way to dine in Sioux Falls,” he said. “We’re excited and happy to offer that to people.”

The igloos, which can hold up to eight people, can be booked online for 90-minute slots.

In addition to Fernson’s lineup of craft beer and hard seltzer, customers can order food from Murph’s Burgers & Fries, which took over the taproom’s kitchen in November.

Owner Murphy Lundie said having an alternative to running his food truck during the winter is “epic.” The menu includes four burgers, a plant-based version, fries and loaded fries.

He expects the menu to grow in the coming weeks. He has been trying out new sandwiches, offering them as specials, and has started using Fernson’s smoker on the back patio.

JJ’s Wine, Spirits & Cigars

The patio should be even warmer at JJ’s this winter. There are new, large Bromic heaters along with forced air heaters, halo heaters and an additional wind shield box.

“So there will be less wind to deal with,” owner Tom Slattery said. “We’ll have seating for 12 to 16 people out there regularly. I’m just waiting to see how the weather is going to settle in before we get all that out.”

Last year, the patio was open in December and proved popular, he said. This year, he plans to keep it operational for as much of winter as weather allows.

“They did (use it) quite a bit, from COVID precautions to just enjoying being outside … and this year we want to continue to give people those outdoor options through the winter season,” Slattery said. “It’s primarily geared to the cigar smokers to give a space to enjoy the cigars outside of their garage or man cave or other indoor smoking environments.”

Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen

The downtown restaurant turned its patio into a year-round space last year because of the pandemic, installing overhead heaters and adding clear plastic tarps that can be rolled up or down to help seal off the patio.

“We’ll gladly pay the electric bill and the gas bill so people can enjoy it, especially with COVID still out there,” co-owner Barry Putzke said.

The patio provides seating for 70 diners, who might need to keep their jackets on, but “it stays pretty comfortable. … It depends on your tolerance, of course. Some days it adds 10 to 20 degrees to the air. Some days it just doesn’t really do a lot,” Putzke said of days when it’s below-zero.

Here’s a look at some other spots where you can enjoy patio seating through the winter:

The Barrel House

The Barrel House makes use of its “indoor patio” in the winter. The two walls that are garage doors are closed for the season, but they’re clear, so customers can watch the snow fall. There are extra heaters to keep it warm. The space seats about 90.

DaDa Gastropub

More heaters are coming to keep the outdoor patio at downtown’s DaDa Gastropub toasty in the evening. There’s a fire pit for ambience and added warmth.

PAve

Overlook downtown from a patio that offers five four fire pits, each seating six, plus a heated section. PAve also has plans to add more heating at some point.

Remedy Brewing Co.

Remedy Brewing Co. plans to offer some kind of patio seating at its downtown brewery but is still exploring its options.

Roam Kitchen + Bar

While there are roof heaters and a fireplace, much of the patio got filled with snow and tables are inside. If you’re eager to sit outside, though, the restaurant will do its best to accommodate you.

Vinyl Taco

There are fire pits if you’re looking for the outdoor experience, though the snowfall cut down on people wanting to use them.