Best Beer Gardens In London

Tired of traipsing around the capital for a sip of something refreshing outside? We've all been in search of an ice-cold pint on a hot summer's day, but lucky for you, we're here to help. From the hidden Shoreditch gems to ones sitting pretty in the heart of Clapham with a TV screen for the rugby nearby, we’ve made it our duty to line you up with the best London beer gardens.

Last edited by Scarlett Welch

Last updated on 29th February 2024




Watson's General Telegraph

Reasons for visiting the WGT beer garden are three-fold. For starters, it's huge - so there's no need to worry about whether you'll get a spot. Secondly, it's a suntrap in summer with its own bar, so you can sun yourself without having to traipse back to queue for your next round inside. The third? Craft beer up the wazoo, complete with pub grub mains and plenty for the kids to eat if you're bringing some along.

Grand Junction Arms

Nothing is better than sipping on a fresh pint of beer in a fabulous beer garden. And the Grand Junction Arms knows this all too well. Fronting a gorgeous balcony and garden space, this is the perfect spot for alfresco dining and drinks in the sun - with a seriously impressive selection of small plates and sharing platters on the menu.

Ferry Boat Inn Tottenham

Fronting a huge riverside beer garden with over 50 seats, Ferry Boat is coming up trumps in the outdoor drinking and dining department. This heated space also comes complete with garden games, hearty pub grub and a range of award-winning ales. And if you fancy pushing the boat out, this spot offers two ribeye steaks and a bottle of house wine for just £45.

The Castle Tooting

While you never may have thought it, Tooting harbours one of the best places to drink outside in London. Head on down to The Castle (with status as one of the oldest pubs in Tooting since 1832) as their big garden not only provides a quaint British experience, there's real ale, bookable huts with heaters come winter and classic pub grub like burgers or pies to boot. 

The Stag

We LOVE Fridays - £10 WINGS ALL DAY!!! Happy Hour on House Cocktails FROM 5PM TO 7PM. Mojoto, Esprsso Martini & Margarita and 1 other offer

Situated in the Hampstead area, The Stag is a traditional pub with a stunning beer garden. A real sun trap, you can enjoy a cracking lineup of craft beers here, with 24 different taps of the stuff on offer. What's more, these guys host regular live music and you can grab seasonal pub grub like truffle macaroni cheese, fish 'n' chips and crispy chicken or plant-based burgers.

The Wood House

Elegantly decorated and bursting full of colour, the beer garden at The Wood House offers Dulwich's residents a cosy spot to unwind and take in all that the summer (and winter, with heaters) has to offer. Complete with ping pong tables and beautifully crafted garden furniture, this place is perfect for enjoying award-winning ales and continental beers.

The Florence

Located opposite the leafy Brockwell Park, The Florence is a traditional boozer with a beautiful outdoor space surrounded by greenery. You can sip pints from their very own microbrewery, will devouring baked camembert, charcuterie boards and dry-aged rump steak under the summer sun.

Royal Oak

Get on down to Royal Oak in Bethnal Green to while away the hours in its lovely beer garden, surrounded by plants and gorgeous white brick walls. What's on the menu? A fantastic range of liquid libations, from craft beers to wines, not to mention classic British cuisine - make sure to check out their mega Sunday roasts.

The Holden

Situated just opposite Collier's Wood station, The Holden is giving you all you could want from a traditional English pub, perfect for afternoon drinks or a cosy date night. Along with slinging out top-notch pints, the spot showcases delicious pub grub including ale-battered haddock with chips and sirloin steaks coated in peppercorn sauce.

The Rising Sun

Located in the heart of Richmond is one of the best beer gardens in the city, decked out with trees and rustic wooden furniture. The Rising Sun also happens to sling out amazing burgers, cracking pints and a wide variety of vino - perfect if you're also a sports fan looking for the perfect plot to catch the game.

Skylarking

Situated in the heart of Peckham, Skylarking is a great spot for those alfresco antics with friends. Not only does this hotspot flaunt a fabulous array of events, from quiz nights to live DJ nights, but there's also a pretty epic happy hour where you can get two for £12 cocktails from 4 'til 7pm on weekdays.

The Crooked Billet E5

Found in the heart of Clapton, The Crooked Billet is certainly a picturesque place for a pint. With both locally brewed pints and the most popular global beers available, alongside refreshing cocktails, you'll have plenty to sip on in the sun. And if you're hungry? Expect an extensive pizza menu, as well as burgers, steaks and Sunday roasts.

Carrubo

If you're on the hunt for a beer garden located in the London Bridge area, Carrubo has a banging outdoor pub space, complete with string lights and dazzling drinks. While sipping on passionfruit martinis and draught beer, you can nibble on a smoked salmon crostini and Italian-style olives. 

People's Park Tavern

Kids in the party?

With an enormous beer garden that stretches out to meet the tip of Victoria Park, this is one of the best open-air drinking and dining spaces in East London. We'd heartily recommend popping over to this Hackney spot as soon as that sun pokes through the clouds, and in winter? Book a heated boot and tuck into blue cheese buffalo wings, crispy falafel balls or juicy burgers. 

O'Neill's Great Marlborough Street

Tasty Tapas and 1 other offer

On the hunt for beer gardens in Soho? O'Neill's Great Marlborough Street is a real winner. Gather your pals to bask in the sunshine over a few pints of the good stuff. If you've worked up quite the appetite, there's also a mouthwatering selection of pub grub to chow down on, from burgers to nachos and calamari strips - with a cracking three for £16 offer on small plates.

40FT Brewery

This Dalston spot is a haven for beer lovers, and their spacious garden area is filled with plants, relaxed wooden tables to drink at and all round great vibes. You can get your hands on all sorts of unique craft brews here, from affordable session beers to specialised small-batch releases, with a focus on sustainability trough the locally sourced ingredients and traditional methods used.

Tamesis Dock

The Tamesis Dock in Vauxhall offers a different kind of beer garden - one that's on a boat. This floating bar flaunts excellent views of the Thames, as well as the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, ideal for scenic sips or enjoying the regular live music on offer. And whether you're drinking by the pint of the pitcher, there's a great range of beers and ciders to choose from.

The Manor Walworth

If it's sips in the sun you're after, this boozer near Elephant and Castle is a fabulous choice. The Manor Walworth boasts a load of refreshing beers on tap alongside old and new-world wines, not to mention a mouthwatering array of delish South American bites such as tacos, filled wraps and empanadas.

The Castle

After a rooftop beer garden? The Castle in Angel has to be your first port of call for its terrace overlooking Islington. Not only has this sky-high space got its own screen for making sure you don't miss live sport, but there's cocktail trees, magnums of wine and classic pub grub like camembert sharing boards and Sunday roasts too.

The Wrestlers

With copious amounts of outdoor space surrounding this old school boozer, you can guarantee plenty of opportunities to have a pint in the sun (when it comes out, that is). Head to The Wrestlers, which is just off Highgate High Street, to settle down in this gorgeous place and tuck into Bavarian meat or veggie hotdogs, sirloin steaks and all sorts of burgers.

The Mayflower

Tucked away along the river in Rotherhithe, The Mayflower is a peaceful spot for alfresco drinking and dining. Their decking area overlooks the Thames, while the pub itself has been around since 1620, with a menu almost as extensive as the venue's history - think ale, craft beer, local gin and fine wine.

The Manor Arms

Shhh... Did you know that Streatham has a secret beer garden? Found at The Manor Arms, this sprawling space offers vibrant furnishings, strewn fairy lights and a tented cover in the winter. It's a gorgeous spot whatever the weather, and ideal for chowing down on elevated pub grub, from British sharing boards to hearty pies and burgers.

The Brownswood

If you're after a beer garden in Finsbury Park, then The Brownswood has an absolute beauty for you. This Victorian pub has been lovingly restored, with no expense spared on the outdoor space either, so you can sip pints or eat your Sunday roast in style, following up your antics with a walk in nearby Clissold Park.

The Railway

Thursday Cocktail Happy Hour and 2 other offers

With a spacious outdoor garden in the heart of Streatham, a cosy tea room and airy pub serving seasonal dishes, this southwest watering hole is a top destination all year round (but especially when the sun is shining). From brunch to after-work drinks and everything in between, stick around for the pub quiz, try their worldly wines or just soak up the rays.

The Birds

Head east to find a quirky, laid-back and traditional boozer with bags of charm. The Birds in Leytonstone is a stylish spot that is inspired by Alfred Hitchcock; find craft beers, mismatched furniture and a quaint beer garden at this destination.

Green Goose

The astroturf-covered area at Green Goose makes for an urban beer garden vibe at this Bow boozer, while the brick walls surrounding it seclude you from the hustle and bustle of London life. There are 10 keg lines and four different cask ales to choose from, as well as a whole lot of classic cocktails to pair with lamb rump, rotisserie chicken or plant-based cheeseburgers.

The Garden Gate

As their name suggests, The Garden Gate features a spacious outdoor area, complete with picnic tables, a heated patio and a barbecue area for summer feasting. There are also a selection of unique craft beers on offer, as well as draught lagers or ciders and artisan spirits - to pair with succulent steaks, loaded burgers and seafood linguine.

The Spaniards Inn

With views of Hampstead Heath, The Spaniards Inn is housed in a Grade II listed building that's been around since 1585. What's more, their 400-seater garden fronts huts decorated with fairy lights and greenery-covered walls. This spot is dog-friendly too, so expect to see some cute pups as you knock back craft beers, ale and cocktails.

The Prince Albert

Situated opposite the gorgeous Battersea park and a stone's throw from the river, The Prince Albert not only provides stunning views, but also an urban beer garden decked out in fairy lights and foliage. Their extensive wine list offers everything from a crisp sauvignon blanc to fruity rosés, and the Sunday roasts here are pretty special too, especially as you can nab beef, pork and chicken all on one plate.

Crofton Park Tavern

Sit out back and enjoy a cool, crisp craft beverage in the Crofton Park Tavern's beer garden, or on the terrace out front. Perfect for sunshine drinks (even if you need to wrap up warm) this pub is bound to be your new favourite boozer with a wide range of exceptional food and drinks - think delicious burgers, steaks and Sunday roasts with a pint in hand.

Owl and Hitchhiker

Found in Islington, Owl and Hitchhiker is a pub jam-packed with eccentricities, which comes as no surprise when you learn that it's inspired by The Owl and Pussycat and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Along with a slick outdoor drinking space, the pub has an escape room for a little added entertainment.

The White Bear

South London is definitely not short of great beer gardens, but the White Bear's garden certainly has to feature high on the list. Having been created in 1780, the venue is full of vintage antiques and grainy photos, while the menu features signature burgers, veggie Wellingtons and steaks, alongside an extensive list of wine and bubbles.

Vinegar Yard

If you're looking for beer gardens near London Bridge, then Vinegar Yard has you sorted - whether you're soaking up the sun or chilling under heated covers in the winter. They've got all kinds of street food vendors serving everything from pizza to curries and burgers, alongside multiple bars whipping up anything you could ask for. Even better? You can watch live sport here too.

The Guildford Arms

The Guildford Arms, tucked away on a Greenwich street, boasts a pretty sunken garden that suits all weathers, thanks to its heated and covered areas as well as the suntrap of a patio. They serve some of the best local beers that South London has to offer, alongside wine from independent producers, both of which pair nicely with mezze plates, burgers and Sunday roasts here.

The Prince

Stocks on the Rocks and 1 other offer

This booming West Brompton pub is a must-try for drinks outside, whatever the season. Littered in foliage during the summer and churning out heaters and warming bevs in the winter, it's an ideal spot for those looking to meet up in the great outdoors. And if you're hungry? Nab all-day eats like fish 'n' chips, chicken burgers and pizzas, with delicious brunch plates including French toast on the cards too.

The Stonhouse

A hidden gem on the backstreets of Clapham, The Stonhouse is a relaxed and sophisticated spot for a pint or two. Their walled garden features a heated pergola and wooden furnishings, with everything from mezze platters and jerk chicken wings to sirloin steaks or veggie burgers keeping you fuelled.

The Avalon

Whether you're knocking back pints on the lively front terrace or chilling with a cocktail in the spacious beer garden out the back, The Avalon in Clapham is a winner for outdoor drinks. As for food, you can tuck into pizzas topped with buffalo mozzarella, aubergine katsu curry, chipotle lamb steaks or hearty roasts come Sunday. Not in the area? Check out their sister venue The Rosendale in Dulwich instead for more alfresco sips.

The Scolt Head

This old-school Dalston boozer is home to a peaceful beer garden, where you can soak up the sun or shade yourselves under giant umbrellas. The drinks are pretty affordable here too, with ales coming in at under a fiver, alongside £8 cocktails like an Aperol spritz or a Bloody Mary.

The Crabtree

Flaunting riverside views, The Crabtree in Hammersmith is certainly one of the most picturesque beer gardens that this city has to offer. As well as being a cracking spot for catching the boat race under the shade of trees, you can find real English ales, gourmet burgers and hog roasts come summertime. 

Stein's Bavarian Beergarden

Strap on your lederhosen and head down to Richmond for a cracking choice of German tipples at Stein's Bavarian Beer Garden. Their sprawling outdoor area overlooks the river, with a gazebo-style cover and heaters for the winter. Hungry? Nibble on bratwurst, schnitzel and other Munich delicacies, with plenty of vegan options too.

The Magic Garden

Having won multiple awards for their outdoor space, from the Evening Standard's London's Most Beautiful Beer Gardens in 2014 to Harper's Bazaar's London's Best Beer Gardens in the same year, it's safe to say that The Magic Garden in Battersea is a pretty great spot for alfresco drinking. Settle into colourful, comfy sofas with pints and cocktails, or dance to live DJs and bands five nights a week.

The Earl of Essex

One for all you beer lovers out there, The Earl of Essex is a sun-soaked spot in Islington. They offer a regularly-changing rotation of craft beers, as well as a choice of quality ales and cider. Their walled garden creates a private atmosphere for enjoying your pints, topped off by pub grub like Sunday roasts, fish finger sandwiches, flat iron steaks and much more.

The Crown and Shuttle

Having been around since 1865, The Crown and Shuttle is a Victorian boozer that challenges all the modern Shoreditch bars as one of the best in the area. Their huge beer garden boasts its very own burger van, so you won't have to venture far to find tasty eats to go with your pint of craft beer or a choice of micro-distilled spirits.