Patio season is in full swing in Vancouver, but a staffing shortage is causing some restaurants to keep some tables empty — despite long lineups snaking down the block.

The B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association says the staffing shortage in the industry is ongoing, but is exacerbated in the summer when patios double the capacity of some establishments.

Ian Tostenson, the association's president, says the problem is made worse by a demographic shift that's leading to fewer workers in the typical restaurant hiring age group of 15 to 24 year olds.

"We actually did a study in the last six months and we're seeing that for every three people that retire, we're only putting two people back into the economy," Tostenson said.

The association says the issue is prompting some restaurants to find creative solutions, like only offering counter service instead of full dining.

Creative solutions

That's the case at the new Tap and Barrel location in Olympic Village, Brewhouse, where Steel Toad used to be. Customers line up at the bar to order and take a number.

"We have 100 staff here. In comparison, if this was a full-service restaurant we would have about 200 staff under the same roof," said Tap and Barrel CEO Daniel Frankel.

The structure makes a big difference to the restaurant's bottom line — and Frankel says the menu is priced to reflect that.

The new Tap and Barrel in Olympic Village only offers counter service. (CBC)

He says it's been difficult to find and retain employees as long as he has been in the business, but it's grown much more difficult lately.

As a more long-term solution, Frankel is setting his sights abroad to find more workers.

One of his best friends is the consul general for El Salvador in Vancouver, he says. He's been in talks with him and the country's ambassador to work with the culinary institutes there with a goal to bring some workers to Canada.

Frankel is short on details, saying talks are still in their preliminary stages. But he says his visits there revealed a skilled workforce with strong English language skills that is ready for work.

With files from Micki Cowan

Read more from CBC British Columbia