Artificial Grass for Rooftop Bars & Hospitality Venues

artificial grass on rooftop

Across Australia, rooftop bars, restaurants, cafés, and event venues are increasingly turning to artificial grass to elevate their outdoor spaces. With hospitality clients seeking environments that are stylish, durable, and easy to maintain, synthetic turf has become a go-to design and performance solution — especially in high-density urban areas where natural grass isn’t practical.

From improving guest experience to reducing operational costs, commercial-grade turf systems offer significant advantages for hospitality settings. This guide explores why commercial artificial grass is gaining popularity and how synthetic grass can transform rooftops, courtyards, balconies, and beer garden spaces across the country.

Why Hospitality Venues Choose Artificial Turf

Unlike residential settings, hospitality environments face a unique set of demands:

  • Heavy foot traffic
  • Spills and stains
  • Weather exposure
  • Furniture movement
  • Long operating hours
  • Strict safety and compliance standards

Artificial turf addresses these challenges more effectively than natural grass, decking, or traditional hard surfaces.

Key reasons hospitality venues adopt synthetic turf:

  • Creates visually appealing green spaces
  • Stays fresh and uniform year-round
  • Requires minimal cleaning and virtually no ongoing maintenance
  • Provides increased comfort underfoot
  • Reduces long-term landscaping and repair costs

For rooftop bars in particular, turf adds softness, colour, and atmosphere — all without the weight of traditional landscaping.

Performance Benefits in Rooftop Environments

Rooftop hospitality spaces come with unique engineering and design constraints, from waterproofing membranes to weight limits. Synthetic turf is extremely well-suited for these conditions.

1. Lightweight Compared to Natural Alternatives

A rooftop cannot support the weight of soil, irrigation systems, or natural lawn infrastructure. Turf, by contrast, is lightweight and requires only:

  • A suitable underlay
  • Adequate drainage provisions
  • Engineered edge detail

This makes it feasible to install green space in areas where natural landscaping is impossible.

2. Excellent Drainage for Weather Exposure

Australian rooftops experience intense sun, sudden storms, wind, and heavy rain. High-quality turf features:

  • Perforated backing systems
  • Fast-draining base installation
  • Water-resistant underlays

This ensures spills and rainwater do not pool on the surface — a critical requirement for hospitality environments where safety is a priority.

3. Hard-Wearing for High Foot Traffic

Commercial-grade turf is designed for longevity. It features:

  • Dense, durable fibres
  • Reinforced backing
  • High wear resistance
  • Resilience under furniture weight

This ensures the turf maintains its appearance even with hundreds or thousands of guests weekly.

4. Enhanced Safety and Comfort

Turf provides a soft, forgiving surface that improves guest comfort and reduces slip hazards compared to tiles, concrete, or decking.

Safety benefits include:

  • Slip-resistant surface in wet conditions
  • Cushioned underfoot feel
  • Temperature stability compared to hot hardscapes
  • No splinters, cracks, or sharp edges

These features make turf particularly suitable for family-friendly venues, poolside areas, and outdoor dining zones.

Design Advantages for Hospitality Venues

A well-designed turf installation adds more than just greenery — it can transform the tone and atmosphere of a commercial space.

1. Modern Aesthetic Appeal

Turf brings a vibrant, lush visual element that enhances photography, branding, and overall ambience. It can create:

  • Chill-out zones
  • Lawn-style seating areas
  • Insta-friendly backdrops
  • Event-ready platforms
  • Natural-looking pathways

A green surface creates a welcoming atmosphere without the upkeep of natural landscaping.

2. Versatility in Layout and Styling

Artificial turf can be installed over:

  • Rooftop membranes
  • Concrete slabs
  • Timber decks
  • Pavers
  • Courtyards
  • Balconies

It can also be paired with:

  • Outdoor lounges
  • Planter boxes
  • Shade structures
  • Lighting
  • Temporary event setups

Its flexibility is ideal for venues that change layouts depending on events or peak seasons.

3. Branding and Functional Zones

Venues can use turf to designate:

  • VIP areas
  • Event zones
  • Outdoor dining sections
  • Stage or lounge areas

Colour variation and custom turf line markings also allow for creative branding opportunities.

Operational Benefits

Beyond aesthetics and comfort, artificial turf provides practical savings and commercial efficiencies.

1. Reduced Maintenance Costs

No mowing
No watering
No fertilising
No weed control
No dead patches to replace

This dramatically lowers labour and maintenance budgets — a significant advantage for hospitality operators.

2. Long-Term Value

High-quality commercial turf lasts 8–15+ years depending on usage.
This long replacement cycle reduces downtime and operational disruption.

3. Cleaner & Easier to Manage

Turf is easy to maintain in environments where spills are common.

Cleaning is simple:

  • Brush debris away
  • Rinse with water
  • Use mild cleaning solutions as needed

This makes it ideal for bars and venues hosting regular events.

Choosing the Right Turf for Hospitality Spaces

To ensure longevity and performance, select a turf product that offers:

  • Commercial-grade durability
  • Fire-rating compliance when required
  • UV stability for sun exposure
  • Fast drainage capacity
  • Shorter, dense fibres for heavy foot traffic
  • Strong reinforcement in the backing

Working with experienced commercial installers is crucial for rooftop environments where waterproofing and load requirements must be considered.

Conclusion

Artificial grass offers a practical, visually striking, and low-maintenance solution for rooftop bars and hospitality venues across Australia. From improving guest comfort to reducing operational costs, synthetic turf allows venues to create welcoming outdoor environments that perform well year-round.

Its versatility, durability, and lightweight design make it an ideal choice for transforming rooftops, courtyards, and commercial entertainment spaces into vibrant green destinations.

Telarc ISO logo
World Bowls new  scaled
HOCAUS A CMYK Stack
image
image
FIFA logo
World Rugby logo