We have this in our front yard, and it's a great focal point for our block to gather on summer evenings. There's something about fire that draws people together. We can seat at least 8 people around it in standard plastic outdoor chairs, and the wide lip allows people to put their drinks on the edge if the fire isn't too high. 
                    
                    Our only issue is that the controls are awkward to access, as they are behind the tank.