Yes—in many urban settings, urban outdoor furniture can be secured to concrete without drilling, but only when the method suits the furniture, site, and risk. It is less about finding a clever adhesive and more about controlling loads and maintenance.
The most reliable non-drilling option is ballast. Benches, planters, café barriers, and modular seating can sit on weighted bases made from concrete, steel, or sand- and water-filled containers. If the furniture is heavy enough and has a grippy, stable footprint, it resists sliding and tipping. The key is calculating the required weight for wind uplift, crowd pushing, and accidental impact—not just guessing. Anti-slip pads and a flat, clean slab help, and the ballast should be locked to the furniture so it cannot be removed.
Adhesive anchoring is another option for lighter loads. Structural adhesives or epoxy systems can bond metal feet or mounting plates to sound, clean, dry concrete. They work best in sheltered plazas and for anti-theft or positioning rather than high-load safety. They are not a miracle fix: damp concrete, sealers, dirt, UV, freeze-thaw cycles, and thermal movement can weaken the bond. Adhesion also needs inspection and replacement over time.
Some systems use friction, interlocking modules, or weighted feet with rubber interfaces. These can be good for temporary or seasonal layouts. However, no non-drilling method should be used where failure could cause injury or serious liability—wind tunnels between towers, busy transit areas, elevated terraces, or places with heavy vandalism. In those cases, mechanical anchors drilled into the concrete are usually the safer, code-compliant choice.
So the practical answer is: yes, non-drilled anchoring can work for many urban outdoor furniture pieces, especially with proper ballast and regular checks. But it is not universal. Check local regulations, get load advice for exposed sites, and choose drilling when safety depends on it.