CHAIRSWhy chair choice depends on the venue
The same chair does not perform the same way everywhere. A chair moved dozens of times a day in a café has different needs than one that seats a guest for two hours in a fine dining room. The answer to which chair for which business depends on seating time, table turnover, space, ease of cleaning and brand image. Below are recommendations for the most common venue types.
Quick comparison table
| Venue | Recommended model | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Café | Light, stackable wire or metal chair | Weight, easy cleaning, tight space |
| Restaurant | Upholstered or wood-look chair | Comfort over long meals, fabric care |
| Fine dining | Upholstered armchair | Comfort, prestige, arm height vs. table apron |
| Bar and pub | Backed or backless bar stool | Footrest, seat height, durability |
| Hotel | Sturdy contract chairs and lounge armchairs | Heavy use, matching series |
| Terrace and garden | Powder-coated metal or wire chair | Weather and humidity resistance |
| Office and canteen | Stackable armless chair | Storage, quiet floor glides |
Cafés: light, stackable, easy to maintain
Cafés tend to be compact with high guest turnover, so wire and metal chairs are the first choice: they are light, easy to move and visually airy. They can also move out to the terrace. For window seats or reading corners where guests stay longer, mixing in a few upholstered or armchair models adds comfort.
Restaurants: balancing comfort and cleaning
Restaurant guests usually sit for one to two hours, so backs with good support and lightly padded or ergonomic seats work well. When choosing upholstery, prefer stain-resistant, wipeable fabrics. In lunch-heavy venues with fast turnover, armless chairs help protect capacity.
Fine dining and evening venues
Here the chair is part of the atmosphere. Armchairs with upholstery add both comfort and prestige. Check that the arm height clears the table apron, otherwise guests cannot sit close to the table.
Bars, pubs and cocktail venues
For bar stools, seat height follows counter height; leaving roughly 25–30 cm between counter and seat is a common rule. Backed stools with solid footrests suit long stays, while light backless stools are more practical in busy, mobile bars.
Hotels, lobbies and contract projects
Hotel furniture is used constantly. Choose a sturdy frame, durable paint and models that can be extended later from the same series. Using one colour and material language across restaurant, lobby and room areas keeps the project coherent, and being able to reorder additional units later is part of good planning.
Terraces and outdoor areas
Sun, rain and humidity decide how long an outdoor chair lasts. Powder-coated metal and wire models are suitable; periodic wiping and winter storage still extend their life.
Short checklist
- How long does a guest typically sit?
- What are the table height and apron clearance?
- Will chairs be stacked or moved daily?
- What is the venue's colour and material language?
- Will you need more units of the same model later?
ASF Sandalye manufactures metal chairs in its own workshop in Sancaktepe, Istanbul, and can suggest models, colours and sizes for café, restaurant, hotel and bar projects. Request a quote with your venue details.
Common questions
What is the best chair for a café?
Light, stackable and easy-to-wipe wire or metal chairs are the most practical. A few upholstered models can be added for longer-stay corners.
Which chair suits a fine dining restaurant?
Armchairs with upholstery are usually preferred for comfort and prestige. Make sure arm height fits under the table apron.
What should I look for in hotel chairs?
A durable frame, durable paint, matching series products and the ability to produce extra units later.