Great Outdoors: Beer Gardens

We're gonna take a risk and throw it all in on the current (unexpected?) sunny weather we're having. There are few things better than enjoying your beverage of choice, in a nice sunny beer garden. Here are some of our favourites.

The Duke of York

We're not entirely sure of what actually defines a beer "garden" but the alley fronting the Duke of York in the Cathedral Quarter is still one of the finest spots to imbibe in the city.

Lined with numerous benches and copious beautiful hanging baskets, the wide alleyway is inviting and perfectly contained. Even if you're there long enough for the sun to pass on by, the alley becomes a cosy haven for a great night with friends.

3-11 Commercial Court, Belfast, BT1 2NB

dukeofyorkbelfast.com | Facebook | Twitter

The Hudson

Not so much a beer garden as maybe a beer village. Taking what was previously a long neglected arcade at the rear of its bar, the Hudson's Yard offers not just plentiful seating but also outdoor food and regular free entertainment.

Much like the Duke of York, it is a spot in which, once you are settled it is more than likely you'll not go anywhere else. Perfect place for a night out.

10-14 Gresham Street, Belfast, BT1 1JN

hudsonbelfast.com | Facebook | Twitter

Lavery's

The bar that just seems to grow and grow. Like the Hudson, Lavery's took what was once a fairly grimy back alleyway and transformed it into an oasis right in the heart of Shaftesbury Square.

Lavery's once had a small, walled in, square at the rear of it's Back Bar, leading out to were the bins were kept. Not now though. Now it boasts two separate seated areas connected by the once grimy, but now well maintained alleyway.

Lavery's is a massively popular bar, but even at it's busiest it is friendly and inviting.

12-16 Bradbury Place, Belfast, BT7 1RS

laverysbelfast.com | Facebook | Twitter

The Sunflower

The Sunflower is a tiny gem of a bar in a little back street bordering the Cathedral Quarter. For all it's size, you'd be hard pushed to find a bar we'd rather spend our evening in.

They only convinced us of this further when they not only opened an internal courtyard/beer garden, but added their secret weapon, a pizza oven.

A simple bar, devoid of pretence, but plentiful in craic, great booze and absolutely delicious pizza.

Union Street, Belfast, BT1 2JG

Facebook | Twitter


And getting out of the city...

The Dirty Duck

With views across Belfast Lough to Whiteabbey and Carrickfergus, sitting next to a small boat yard, it doesn't get much more nautical than the Dirty Duck in Holywood.

A fine bar, with a generous selection of craft beers and top quality seafood restaurant, this spot has many things going for it. Not least of which is it's generous outdoor seating area. On a night of fine weather hours will slip by as you enjoy the company of friends, booze and gently lapping sea.

The bar does also have it's own chippy, the Ruddy Duck, which while a little walk from the bar itself, offers some of the finest fish and chips.

3 Kinnegar Road, Holywood, BT18 9JN

thedirtyduckalehouse.co.uk | Facebook | Twitter

The Goats Toe

You could be forgiven for walking right by the Goat's Toe in Bangor, nestled in a small arcade between some shops. But you would most definitely be missing out.

Following extensive renovations the bar has set a new standard for the town and it's rooftop beer garden is an absolute gem.

All contemporary design and moody lighting, the garden is a must when the weather is right – and heck, there is even plenty of covered areas for the weather isn't so great, because frankly some of us like to drink outdoors regardless of our famously unpredictable weather.

53 Main Street, Bangor, BT20 5AF
thegoatstoe.co.uk | Facebook | Twitter

The Bureau by the Lough

This award winning bar and restaurant offers amazing views across Belfast Lough – almost exactly the opposite view offered by the Dirty Duck.

While some of the other beer gardens on this list are fancier, they all struggle to match the view on offer. And some nights that is all you really need – well, that, some tasty booze and great company.

This is the first bar along the famous Causeway Coastal Route, and you'd be missing out if you didn't stop for the food, the refreshment and to just enjoy the stunning views.

637 Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0ST

bureaubythelough.com | Facebook



This list could of course go on and on... Do you have a favourite beer garden, especially outside of Belfast? Why not let us know where it is...