PORTSMOUTH — It’ll be a couple months before downtown decks open for al fresco dining and imbibing, but Barrio restaurant just extended its season with a pair of clear-covered geodesic domes being called "Barrio Bubbles."

The 319 Vaughn St. taco eatery opened the domes on its deck Sunday and they’re now heated, lit at night, and ready by reservation for parties up to 10 each.

Front of house manager Abby Jackson said one of the restaurant’s servers showed her a news story about the plastic igloos popping up at restaurants around the country and people paying a premium to dine in them. Jackson said she showed owner Maggie Osborn, who asked her to research details, then decided, "We have to have them."

Barrio’s Bubbles each have seating for 10 around a table and both were warmed by space heaters, to a balmy 70 degrees Monday, when it was 41 degrees outside. The domes selected by Barrio are made by Gardenigloo which claims they can take a 90-pound snow load and heat up like a greenhouse in the summer. There are windows that zip open on two sides for ventilation and a zippered open-and-close doorway for customers and waitstaff.

Jackson said Barrio plans to use the domes for the next couple of months, until it’s truly deck season, then pack them away until needed again.

"As long as they’re still popular," they’ll go up again, she said.

Barrio general manager Jay Drinker set the first one up by himself in an hour and Jackson helped him with the second one, she said. Sandbags keep them from blowing down Vaughan Street.

Electronic light strips were added to the interior of the frame and can be programmed to display specific colors.

"We wanted to be able to use our patio in the winter," Jackson said, noting the same menu and beverages are available inside the igloos.

Barrio Bubbles are the only part of the restaurant that requires a reservation and there’s a $200 food and beverage minimum, Jackson said. A 20% gratuity is added to the bill and the reservation can accommodate one to ten people, but the $200 tab is required, regardless of size of the party, she said.

Customers without a reservation can dine inside an igloo if it’s not occupied and until people arrived for a reserved time slot. To make a reservation, call Barrio at (603)380-9081.