If you use an umbrella at the beach, this table has a hole in the center to keep sandwiches or some fruit out of the sun and sand. You can also just use the table as a stand alone as the legs are pretty solid. The cup holders are cut outs and will hold average cups or bottles, but not the large ones. The table itself is canvas, so it will not balance stuff, like open soda bottles, like a solid table. For that, I prefer the plastic folding tables you see at Walmart or other stores. I use this table while I am eating or to keep a book and some water handy.