Why Waterfront Dining Feels Like a Mini Vacation

Ever wonder why every meal you eat near water feels like a mini vacation?

Buzzing street lights dim down as you take your seat at a waterfront table. Sound of waves crashes in the background while you feel a warm breeze come off the bay. As the sun sets you sip your drink and listen to live music.

Whether you’re 5 minutes away or 5 hours away, dining at a live music restaurant on the water feels different than any other restaurant.

Here’s the deal:

Most people sit at a waterfront table and never know why they feel so relaxed and happy. The views, delicious food and live entertainment mixed together tap into some next-level senses people don’t even know they have.

In this article you’re going to learn:

• Why Water Views Make Restaurants So Relaxing
• How Live Music Transforms a Waterfront Meal
• How Science Explains the Waterfront “Vacation Feeling”
• Things To Look For In A Waterfront Live Music Restaurant

Why Water Views Make Restaurants So Relaxing

Water. Gives. You. Life.

Whether you’re drinking to it, bathing in it or eating by it. Water has an amazing effect on the brain and body.

One study done through the Journal of Environmental Psychology demonstrated that blood pressure was reduced when study subjects viewed water for less than 2 minutes. Researchers found that water views were more relaxing than those who just viewed green spaces.

Water reigns over us all. Couple that with delicious food and upbeat live music and you’ve got a recipe for pure serotonin.

Restaurants like Coconut Grove coastal water dining know the secret to keeping people relaxed and coming back for more. Live music restaurants on the water tap into a sense of calm that no other venue can reproduce.

Want to feel relaxed every time you eat out? Find a restaurant right on the water.

Dining trends have also caught on to this concept. According to OpenTable dining trends forecast, “eatertainment” is on the rise up 46% year over year. This focus on activities paired with food takes eating out to the next level.

How Live Music Transforms a Waterfront Meal

Live music creates an experience.

Let’s think about this for a second:

Picture your favorite waterfront restaurant. Now picture it without music. Completely silent. Doesn’t feel the same, right?

How about your favorite restaurant that doesn’t have water views? Kinda boring.

Now picture your favorite restaurant WITH live music on the waterfront. Instant vacation.

Diners are craving unique experiences with their food. Restaurants that offer live music have noticed.

A recent survey from SevenRooms reported that restaurants with live music could charge more than usual because 53% of consumers would be willing to pay a premium for dining with live music and dance.

Live music restaurants near water are the perfect combo of opportunities to escape and relax.

Here’s why live music restaurants feel so magical:

• Audio and visual pleasure. Your brain is entertained by the water view while your ears are jamming out to the live music.

• Helps you unwind. Water views plus live music sends your brain into relaxation mode.

• You stay longer. Especially if there’s live music. Who wants to leave the fun? When you stay longer, you enjoy more food. You enjoy more moments.

Pairing live entertainment with waterfront views is a winning ticket for any restaurant.

How Science Explains the Waterfront “Vacation Feeling”

Why does every meal you have by water make you feel relaxed and happy?

The brain responds to waterfront views similarly to how it would on vacation.

According to a study done by R. Ulrich, Stress Reduction Theory proves that viewing outdoor environments such as bodies of water induce feelings of pleasure, interest and calm. Which in turn triggers a “restorative reaction”.

Basically this means:

Waterfront views trick your brain into thinking you’re on vacation. Your brain processes water, open skies, warm temperatures and sounds from live musicians as your favorite place to relax.

Vacationing is the ultimate stress reliever. So next time you eat by water, thank the water for making your dinner feel like a getaway.

The benefits don’t stop there.

Aside from making you feel happier and more relaxed, restaurant goers who dined near water showed a decreased amount of cortisol, heart rate, and muscle tension. Which are all physiological responses that occur when on vacation.

Bottom line: Being around water and listening to music at a restaurant actually helps to reduce stress. Feeling refreshed hasn’t been this delicious.

Not only do waterfront live music restaurants make you feel like you’re on vacation. They also carry the same physiological responses as being on an actual vacation.

Things To Look For In A Waterfront Live Music Restaurant

You don’t have to go far to find the perfect live music waterfront restaurant.

They aren’t all created equal though. Here’s what to look for when finding your happy place.

First and foremost, the restaurant must be on the water. Water must be visible from your table at all times. Restaurants that are “near” the water won’t give you that same relaxing vibe.

Next, find the type of music you like. Loud rock and roll might kill that relaxing vibe you were trying to achieve at your waterfront restaurant. You want live music that compliments the setting. Think acoustic, beach music, latin rhythms.

Food will be important as well. You also don’t want to forfeit great food for a pretty view. Look for restaurants that have delicious seafood and coastal-inspired meals.

A couple other things to note:

• Outdoor seating is best for waterfront dining

• Live music schedules should be consistent and frequent

• Lighting should add to the waterfront ambience when the sun goes down

• Servers should allow you to enjoy your time. Don’t feel rushed or pressured to get up and leave.

When you find the right waterfront restaurant that checks all these boxes you’ll feel spoiled every time you eat out.

Bonus points if they have boats driving by

The Final Chill

Eating at a waterfront live music restaurant has numerous benefits that will trick your brain into thinking you’re on vacation.

Staring into the water while listening to your favorite tunes helps to reduce stress, relax your body, and allows you to unwind like your favorite beach getaway.

And like mentioned above, restaurant trends are starting to shift because more and more people want that cozy vacation vibe when they dine out.

Waterfront live music restaurants take all that dining out to you and turn it up a notch.

So next time you’re feeling like you need a vacation, take a dinner trip to your local waterfront restaurant.

Cheers to vacationing anytime you want now.

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