{"id":9687,"date":"2026-04-02T17:25:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:25:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/cafe-kiikku-created-a-new-experience-for-customers-the-bbq-tables-even-got-strangers-chatting"},"modified":"2026-09-07T14:59:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T11:59:32","slug":"cafe-kiikku-created-a-new-experience-for-customers-the-bbq-tables-even-got-strangers-chatting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/en\/cafe-kiikku-created-a-new-experience-for-customers-the-bbq-tables-even-got-strangers-chatting","title":{"rendered":"Caf\u00e9 Kiikku Created a New Experience for Customers \u2013 The BBQ Tables Even Got Strangers Chatting"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Caf\u00e9<\/span> Kiikku<\/span><\/strong> is a<\/span> unique caf\u00e9<\/span> in Oulu that combines a warm atmosphere, memorable experiences, and a compelling entrepreneurial story. Owner Rina Hirviniemi<\/strong> has been in the industry for many years and has run Caf\u00e9<\/span> Kiikku for 15 years. She has built her career in catering,lunch caf\u00e9s<\/span>, and the restaurant business, including in Vaasa. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed course, and now Kiikku has set out to develop something new. <\/p>\n

This caf\u00e9<\/span>, which operates partly in a greenhouse, is located in Oulu\u2019s Ainola Park, right next to the Hupisaari Central Playground, and caters especially to families with children during the summer season. The intimate space, which seats about 30 guests, also makes it possible to host celebrations such as graduation parties, confirmation parties, and weddings. <\/p>\n

However, the decision to purchase the barbecue tables wasn\u2019t driven by a pressing business need, but rather by an idea that felt right from the very beginning.
\n\u201c“We didn’t really have any specific need\u2014it was just a whim. We just thought it was a nice idea.” <\/em>, Hirviniemi<\/strong> says. There were hardly any doubts about the decision; rather, the idea of working together and creating a new experience felt like a natural extension of the caf\u00e9\u2019s<\/span>spirit. <\/p>\n

The barbecue tables were put into use in the middle of winter, and the response exceeded expectations. The opening event drew more than 50 participants, and the atmosphere was lively from the very beginning.
\n\u201cEveryone loved it right away. A couple of work groups got excited about it immediately.\u201d Soon <\/em>, the barbecue evolved into its own concept, which was named Moonlight Barbecue<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Various themed events brought the tables to life: on Valentine\u2019s Day, we grilled chicken skewers and corn; at Easter, we\u2019ll be grilling lamb. In the winter, customers especially appreciated the warmth provided by the grill, which made spending time outdoors pleasant. At the same time, a new way of spending time at the caf\u00e9<\/span>emerged\u2014not just sitting around, but doing things together. <\/p>\n

The barbecue tables have significantly transformed the customer experience at Kiiku. Previously, the caf\u00e9<\/span> was not open during the winter season and did not offer food, but now the barbecue enables a new kind of service and also supports the restaurant\u2019s operations. The number of new customers has increased, and groups and tourists in particular have discovered the service. The concept has also generated interest on social media. <\/p>\n

One of the most memorable moments was a group of British tourists who combined a soup lunch with a barbecue.
\n\u201cThey said the grill kept their feet nice and warm, too. It was a great place to chat and share stories.\u201d<\/em> Similar experiences have occurred time and again: barbecue tables create situations where people linger longer and share an experience together.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most significant change, however, isn’t directly related to sales, but rather to the atmosphere.
\n\u201cThe best part has been that complete strangers start chatting with each other. It creates a sense of togetherness.\u201d<\/em> The barbecue tables transform a visit to the caf\u00e9<\/span>from a passive experience into an active one and foster natural interaction among people.<\/p>\n

Hirviniemi recommends SocialBBQ Grill Tables<\/strong> to anyone who wants to offer their customers something out of the ordinary. \u201cThis isn\u2019t just a product\u2014it\u2019s an experience that brings people together.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

You can get to know the grill tables in practice at Kahvila<\/span> Kiikku<\/span> , where they are actively used as part of the cafe<\/span> ‘s experience concept. In addition, SocialBBQ will be participating in the Oulu Builder 2026 event from 10 to 12 April, and Kahvila<\/span> Kiikku<\/span> will also be at the stand on Saturday 11 April. At the fair, you can get to know the unique grill tables in more detail and discuss the product directly with the father of the idea and entrepreneur, Teemu Saarinen. We will be at the fair at stand 173. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

See you in Oulu!<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
#cafeswing #SocialBBQ #barbecue table #barbecue table experience<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”9466″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9690,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[100],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9687","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9687"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9687\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9748,"href":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9687\/revisions\/9748"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9687"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9687"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grillipoyta.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}