Best Beer Gardens In Manchester

• Location: The Avenue Courtyard, Spinningfields, M3 3AY
• Features: live music, winter tipi with fire
• Why we recommend: this is an outdoor space that can be used all year round, and the winter decorations are just as gorgeous as the sunny courtyard is come summer

From its famous tipi in winter to the sprawling sun-soaked space come summer, The Oast House is one of the best places for drinking outside. Make your way over to the Spinningfields spot for BBQ fare washed down with pints or an Aperol spritz.

They host live music on a regular basis, including a free festival during the summer. Even better? It's dog-friendly, so you can bring your pup along.

• Location: 3 Hardman Street, M3 3HF
• Features: quirky cocktails, bottomless brunch
• Why we recommend: if cocktails are your thing, you can't go wrong with the stunning sips at The Alchemist - especially when paired with their international menu

The Alchemist might be known for their swish cocktail bars across Manchester, but did you know their Spinningfields and waterside MediaCity venues also have outdoor space up their sleeve? Come here to drink and dine on their gorgeous patios.

Their theatrical cocktails come smoking, bubbling and sometimes even changing colour, perfect for snapping some Instagram-worthy photos. Hungry? There are small plates, loaded flatbreads and even bottomless brunches calling your name.

• Location: Hardman Square, M3 3HG
• Features: lots of greenery, fairy lights
• Why we recommend: this Instagrammable garden is full of gorgeous decorations, and we can't get enough of their cocktails either

The perfect spot for an al fresco cocktail (or three), The Lawn Club boasts some of the best drinking pods in Manchester, pretty festoon lighting and plenty of green space adorned with deck chairs, whether you're lounging on the lawn or relaxing on their sunny terrace.

Head here for Friday night drinks and a buzzing atmosphere, with refreshing summer spritzes to get stuck into. And when hunger strikes, they're whipping up pizzas, burgers and brunches galore.

• Location: Unit 5, Block A, Irwell Square, Spinningfields, M3 3AN
• Features: two-for-one cocktails, bottomless brunch
• Why we recommend: we love how affordable everything is here, and they've got one of the most varied cocktail menus around

Slug and Lettuce in Manchester's Spinningfields is a top choice for drinking outdoors, especially if you're looking to get plenty of bang for your buck. These guys are serving up affordable drinks on their fairy-lit decking, which is perfect for any after-work antics.

They're best known for serving two-for-one cocktails all day, every day, with plenty of creative concoctions to choose from. They also offer bottomless brunches and a food menu full of scrumptious small plates and mains.

• Location: Good Yard Street, M3 3BG
• Features: basketball, tennis
• Why we recommend: this is definitley the most unique pick on our list, and you can really work up an appetite on their tennis or basketball courts

One of the most unique spaces for alfresco drinking has got to be Courts Club, the quirky event space at Good Yard Park in Spinningfields. This unusual spot combines outdoor drinking and dining with playing sports, as there's a basketball and tennis court available for you and your pals to get competitive on.

Toast to the winner afterwards with their wide selection of cocktails, draught beer and spirits, and if you've worked up an appetite then they've got everything from chicken gyros to halloumi fries and breakfast baguettes too.

• Location: 18 Castle Street, Deansgate Locks, M3 4LZ
• Features: views of the canal, second floor terrace
• Why we recommend: we love a canalside beer garden, and this one comes with a whole load of excellent plates as well as great drinks

From its smattering of dining tables and second floor terrace to its south-facing patio, Dukes 92 is one top-notch sun trap. Whether you're soaking up the waterside views over a Pimm's or enjoying a little dining, do it in summer style here.

They serve everything from breakfast butties to hanging chicken kebabs and goat's cheese pizzas, as well as spectacular Sunday roasts. Plus, their cocktail selection is excellent.

• Location: Lock Keeper's Cottage, 9 Century Street, M3 4QL
• Features: views of the canal
• Why we recommend: there's nothing better in summer than having a few pints in the sun while overlooking the water, and this welcoming pub offers just that on its relaxing terrace

With a gorgeous outdoor terrace overlooking the locks, Lock 91 is the perfect place for a spot of sunshine drinking. Kick back after work alongside colleagues or unwind with a cocktail and watch the world go by at this beautiful waterside bar.

If you visit between 5 and 8pm Tuesday to Friday, you'll also get to enjoy £7 cocktails and £5 pints at this city centre destination.

• Location: 6 Slate Wharf, M15 4SW
• Features: views of the canal, barbecue
• Why we recommend: you'll find some of the best views in the city at this pub, perfect for people-watching by the canal

As well as cosy pub interiors and a large sun terrace overlooking the canal boats of the Castlefield Basin, The Wharf boasts plenty of outdoor seating, plus a barbecue serving up tasty grilled burgers and sandwiches.

Their drinks selection is impressive, spanning 100 malts and more than 50 wines, as well as a choice of six cask ales. There's even a fountain for a little splash should the heat get too much.

• Location: 372 Deansgate, M3 4LY
• Features: covered beer garden, plenty of gin
• Why we recommend: the views here are impeccable, and the huge array of gins on offer certainly doesn't hurt either

Sitting pretty just opposite the range of drinking destinations on Deansgate Locks, Atlas Bar is an iconic venue with lovely outdoor space. If you choose this beer garden, you can make your way through a staggering range of gins while basking in plenty of rays.

There's a cracking food menu up for grabs too, ranging from pesto chicken bagels to grilled halloumi sandwiches and all-day breakfast.

• Location: 8 Swan Street, M4 5JN
• Features: views of the canal, hearty food menu
• Why we recommend: there's so much space for alfresco drinking and dining here, with a top-notch choice of lagers to accompany you in the sun

For a canalside beer garden? Rain Bar is one of your best bets, with a multi-tiered terrace space looking right out onto the towpath. Home to the likes of J.W Lees' Manchester Craft Lager and more local or nationally known picks besides, it's a bustling place to enjoy a drink in the sun.

Feeling peckish? They're cooking up a menu of chilli cheese nachos, pulled mushroom bao buns, buttermilk chicken burgers and so much more.

• Location: 50 Great Bridgewater Street, M1 5LE
• Features: historic courtyard, vast whisky collection
• Why we recommend: you can really feel the history here, and you're unlikely to find anywhere with more whiskies than this

With a staggering whisky collection (over 300) and traditional decor, The Briton's Protection is a great pub with bundles of character. This is a truly historic spot, one of the oldest pubs in Manchester that dates back to 1806.

Their beer garden is one of Manchester's finest with seating and parasols to offer shade, relaxation and comfort to those alfresco drinkers intent on soaking up some rays.

• Location: 50 Great Bridgewater Street, M1 5LE
• Features: oysters, no phone policy
• Why we recommend: this place feels traditional and charming, encouraging conversation among customers and serving a menu full of classics

You can't talk about beer gardens without dropping a mention of Sinclair's Oyster Bar. Dating back to 1720, it's one of the most popular hotspots in the city, boasting an excellent selection of beers, ciders, and ales.

There's a hearty food menu to boot, featuring not just oysters but tasty sandwiches, sausage and mash or scampi and chips, to name just a few options. They also have a no phones policy, encourage conversation and connection.

• Location: 4 Cathedral Approach, M3 1SW
• Features: secluded square of outdoor space, classic pub menu
• Why we recommend: for a traditional, historic pub with a cracking outdoor space, you can't go wrong with this charming British boozer

On the hunt for the best Manchester beer gardens? The Old Wellington is home to one of the most unique outdoor spaces in the city. Found in what feels like a hidden square, its made even more cosy with the tall buildings looming over.

There's a lot of history to this place, and the building is one of the oldest of its kind in the area. But rest assured, they've modernised the menu, with dishes like barbecue beef brisket burgers and oven-baked camembert to go alongside your pint.

• Location: Hanover Street, NOMA, M4 4AH
• Features: craft beer, DJs
• Why we recommend: there's always something fun going on here, and their varied range of craft beer is second to none

A relaxed bar that's loved for its outdoor space, Sadler's Cat can be found in the NOMA area. It's got a long stretch of alfresco space, alongside stripped-back, industrial interiors where you'll find carefully curated playlists and a social vibe.

The focus here is great quality craft beer, with a huge selection of bottles and cans to choose from, as well as rotating taps. There are also plenty of wines and cocktails, and there are DJs playing on a regular basis too.

• Location: 11 Baring Street, M1 2PY
• Features: biggest beer garden in the city
• Why we recommend: with a wide choice of food and drink, there's tipple for all tastes to be enjoyed in the fun-packed, sun-soaked beer garden

Much more than a pub, The Depot packs in 11 vendors and five different bars, including a taproom, sports bar, and two others that specialise in tequila cocktails and craft beer. Whatever your tipple, you can enjoy it in the brilliant beer garden. 

The biggest in the city, it's got everything you need for sipping in the sun. We're talking benches, suntrap and shaded sections, DJ booths - the list goes on and on.

• Location: 51 Ducie Street, M1 2JQ
• Features: fire pits, quirky decor
• Why we recommend: you won't find a nearby beer garden bigger than this, and it's one of the most versatile venues in the city too

If you're on the hunt for Manchester's best beer garden, Diecast is an essential stop. With caravans, fire pits, a smokehouse, and sprawling open-air seating, this epic outdoor space is the largest of its kind in the city. It's a year-round social hub where you can sip cold pints, snack on hot dogs, and soak in the electric energy of the Northern Quarter - all while surrounded by industrial-meets-tropical design flair.

Inside the venue, the buzz continues with multiple themed spaces, including a Brooklyn-style beer hall and neon-drenched club zone. But the beer garden is the jewel in Diecast's crown, where long afternoons turn into lively evenings fuelled by craft brews, small plates, and an unbeatable atmosphere.

• Location: Unit 18, Piccadilly Trading Estate, M1 2NP
• Features: craft beer, street food pop-ups, lots of greenery
• Why we recommend: we love the social, community feel to this place, and the quality craft beer is second-to-none, brewed fresh on-site

Situated on the Piccadilly Trading Estate, Track Brewing Co is a brewery and taproom in one spacious venue. They're all about great quality craft beer, from flavourful IPAs to crisp lagers and seasonal specials.

There's a real community vibe here, with long wooden tables that are great for groups. The garden has colourful walls and lots of foliage, where you can enjoy delicious drinks in the sun. Plus, they host a series of street food pop-ups throughout the year.

• Location: 38 Charles Street, M1 7DB
• Features: DJs, cocktails, late nights
• Why we recommend: always having a party vibe to it, YES is the perfect place for unwinding in the sun. The cocktails are unmissable, and we love the scrumptious street food on offer too

Open until 4am on the weekends, YES is a popular party spot in the Oxford Road area. It sprawls across four floors, extending into their lively beer garden, there's plenty of space to relax here - particularly when the sun is shining. There's even a rooftop terrace which is half covered.

They've got a vast menu of cocktails, as well as tasty street food from Pepperoni Playboy and Trippy Chippy. Be sure to check out their events list too, regularly featuring live musicians and DJs.

• Location: 456-458 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, M21 0BQ
• Features: pizza, colourful furniture and murals
• Why we recommend: any excuse to eat Nell's pizza is good enough for us, and we love the chilled pub vibe to this place

It may be tucked away in Chorlton, but that doesn't stop The Beagle from having great alfresco game. Alongside a terrace space to enjoy their craft pints and Nell's pizza, there's a beer garden with painted murals, quirky furniture and fun aplenty.

Coming down midweek? Check out their 777 lunch deal, where between 12 and 4pm you can get any pizza for just £7.77.

• Location: 72 Beech Road, Chorlton-Hardy, M21 9EG
• Features: outdoor screens, seasonal ales
• Why we recommend: this place is a must for sports fans, as you can watch the game while basking in the sunshine

Chorlton favourite The Beech Inn is a prime example of beer gardens in this South Manchester area. Expect a small patio out the front and a larger space at the back, with heated and covered sections too, so you can enjoy it whatever the time of year.

Their bar is well stocked with seasonal ales and a wide range of spirits, with a tasty pizza menu on offer too. Better yet, they even have outdoor TV screens for showing sports if you don't want to miss a moment of the action.

• Location: 73 Rochdale Road, Ancoats, M4 4HY
• Features: barbecue, tent-style covered seating and garden huts
• Why we recommend: this beer garden suits the unpredictable weather, thanks to its covered seating and wooden huts. You can't go wrong here for classic pub grub either, paired with one of their very own, freshly brewed beers

The very first pub from the Marble group, now a real institution in Manchester, multi-award-winning The Marble Arch serves both their own beers and guest ales. They've got 11 different pumps to choose from, inside a gorgeous Grade II-listed building that was the original home for the Marble Brewery.

Their sunny beer garden provides several tables, both out in the open or inside their wooden huts or other covered seats. When hunger strikes, they're also providing a selection of hearty plates, from homemade potato and leek pies to braised beef burgers or beer-battered fish and chips. They sometimes even have a barbecue in the garden.

• Location: 8 Swan Street, M4 5JN
• Features: quirky decor, Belgian beer
• Why we recommend: we love the weird and wonderful decorations all over this outdoor space, and their beer selection is enviable

You probably wouldn't think of the border between the Northern Quarter and Ancoats as being the prime location for discovering a beer garden, right? Wrong.

Belgian beer maestros Bar Fringe are making sure you get your fix of unique pints in the sun, with everything from rowing boat seats to trailing plants making up the decor.

• Location: 2 Lapwing Lane, Didsbury, M20 2WS
• Features: lots of greenery, sharing dishes
• Why we recommend: this chilled spot is perfect for unwinding in the sun, and it suits everything from a casual lunch to sunset drinks

Fancy quaffing a few ice-cold brews in a top-notch Manchester beer garden? Then make your way to The Metropolitan. Located in West Didsbury, this popular venue offers a green-adorned outdoor space, which is perfect for alfresco pours.

If you're hungry, tuck into a sharing board or pub classics like hand-battered fish and chips, cheese and bacon burgers or chicken schnitzel.

• Location: 139 Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, M20 2DY
• Features: pub food, lots of greenery
• Why we recommend: there's a laid-back, classic boozer atmosphere going on here, and they're second to none when it comes to hearty pub fare

The Woodstock Arms is a great pub for summer thanks to its sprawling beer garden. This is one for lovers of a classic pub, boasting period features and simple wooden furnishings out in their vast green space.

Check out the mega outdoor offering at this West Didsbury boozer, all while sipping on a wide selection of refreshing beverages and tucking into classic British grub. We're talking juicy steaks, burgers, small plates and more.

• Location: 41-43 Blackfriars Road, M3 7DH
• Features: elevated food menu, tipi
• Why we recommend: pairing one of their premium quality meals with a few drinks in their beautifully decorated garden makes for the perfect summer afternoon

The Black Friar Salford has one of the prettiest beer gardens, including having won awards for its outdoor space. Plus, with the addition of its tipi, this one is a winner all year round for beers, cocktails and wines - no matter the weather.

They're very popular for their food menu too. Think crispy confit pork belly, pan-fried stone bass, chargrilled lobster or roast beetroot risotto.

• Location: Unit 27A – 28, Lowry Designer Outlet, The Quays, M50 3AH
• Features: views of Salford Quays, premium gin
• Why we recommend: a no-brainer for gin lovers, this spacious outdoor terrace looks over the water and provides a real sun trap too

Enjoy a refreshing craft beer while overlooking the waterfront in Salford Quays at Seven Bro7hers Social, a restaurant and bar that has a wide range of tipples that'll tickle your fancy. Come for a couple and stay for the gin-making experience or a spot of live entertainment throughout the week.

It has an incredibly tempting menu too, full of British favourites with a twist. Think beer-battered fish and chips, Lancashire cheese and onion pies or even a cheeseburger pizza.

• Location: 2 Adelphi Street, Salford, M3 6EN
• Features: views of the river, live music 
• Why we recommend: this place promises food, drink and entertainment all in one place, and the views are excellent too

The Old Pint Pot in Salford boasts a beer garden with quite a view. Riverside vistas are the name of the game here, where pints on the waterfront go hand-in-hand with summer fun. And once the sun goes down, don't forget to check out the live music inside.

That's not all though, as they serve all kinds of mouthwatering meals too. From barbecue chicken wings to Thai vegetable curry or steak and ale pie, there's something for everyone here.

• Location: The Good Rebel, 6 Mealhouse Brow, SK1 1JP
• Features: south-facing garden, great craft beer
• Why we recommend: whether you're in the mood for quality craft beer or cocktails, you can find whatever you're looking for here

Hidden away on Mealhouse Brow, The Good Rebel's picnic bench-packed, south facing beer garden is built for days on the ale. Work your way through all kinds of craft beers as you soak up the rays or take a look at the cocktail menu if you fancy something less hoppy.

Whatever your tipple, a soundtrack of the world's greatest guitar music and a seat in the suntrap will have you eking out the last slivers of sunshine for as long as possible.