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A Guide to Outdoor Boozing
GLASGOW
You can’t drink in the park. Sorry.
EAST END
A brief survey of Glasgwegians revealed that West Brewery (Building 4, Templeton Building) is far and away the favoured outdoor drinking spot for those in the know. It serves St Mungo’s, brewed on site and a lager so pure it is alleged to offer a hangover-free drinking experience. West is located in the old Templeton Carpet Factory on Glasgow Green, a picturesque spot steeped in genuine Weegie history.
Sticking in the approximate area, other recommendations include the beer garden shared by Clutha Vaults (167-169 Stockwell St) and The Victoria on Bridgegate which is secluded, with very reasonable prices and a host of entertaining local characters.
CENTRE
Over in the Merchant City, Babbity Bowster (16-18 Blackfriars St) provides both good beer garden and delicious food, if you’re feeling a bit flush. Down the road, Sloan’s (69 Argyle Arcade) has lots of picnic tables in a central (off Buchanan St) location, but not so much sun. The Social (27 Royal Exchange Square) has extensive seating out front, providing a good vantage point for people watching afternoon shoppers and early evening slaggles.
Heading west, Slouch (203-205 Bath St) is a newcomer to the outdoor drinking scene, with a newly opened beer garden. CCA café (350 Sauchiehall St) has seats outside, good for students slacking off from GSA, or those who like to people-watch these weird and wonderful creatures.
At Charing Cross, Chinaski’s (239 North St) outdoor bit is small and sophisticated, better for quiet drinks or a date than a session with a big group. It’s not great for sun, but there’s good food, good drinks and it's quiet.
WEST END
The West End is really where it’s at when it comes to outdoor boozing. McPhabbs (23 Sandyford Pl) is a very popular suntrap – getting served can take a while on a sunny day, but who cares with all the sunshine? The Big Blue (445 Great Western Rd) overlooks the river Kelvin with sunny seating spilling onto the busy walkway. Big Slope’s (39a Kelvingrove St) newly refurbished beer garden is compact and just below street level on the sunny side of the street, and comes complete with hanging baskets and picnic benches.
Ashton Lane boasts a number of decent outdoor-drinking locations. There’s Brel, famed for its mussels and fine beer selection, which has a grassy bit out back that catches the sun. It’s a popular choice so best start drinking early in order to secure a seat. Vodka Wodka and Jinty McGinty’s also have outdoor areas, while Glasgow institution The Ubiquitous Chip has a pleasant if compact rooftop terrace.
With its leafy courtyard, summer barbeques, quality bar food and extensive drinks list, converted church Cottiers (93 Hyndland St) is a favourite with media-ish Hyndlanders and students alike. The Rock (205 Hyndland Rd) has long been a first choice for sunshine pints, although the proximity of a busy road can ruin the atmosphere somewhat.
EDINBURGH
Drinking in the park is permitted.
OLD TOWN
The Beehive (18-20 Grassmarket) is the surprise hit of the Grassmarket, with a large, sunny multi-level beer garden out the back, climbing up towards the Castle. Into Tollcross and the Auld Toll (37-39 Leven St) has a homely beer garden which is very like sitting in someone's actual garden. It’s better in daytime, when it gets some sun.
Around the University The Peartree’s (36 West Nicholson St) giant picnic table-filled courtyard has been the city’s premier beer garden destination for years. It’s decent enough, with good sun-catching abilities, although the drinks can leave a little to be desired. Off the Royal Mile, Black Bo’s (57-61 Blackfriar’s St) has a surprise garden out the back adorned with foliage and fairy lights.
BRUNTSFIELD
Up to Bruntsfield, and the Golf Tavern (30-31 Wright’s Houses) has outdoor seating with a view over the Links. You can also hire putters here, should you feel the urge to play sport. Further up is Bisque (69 Bruntsfield Place). Like a wardrobe into Narnia so is the door to Bisque. It has a heated, extensive outdoor area filled with plants and even a hedge. They offer good food and a vast selection of quality spirits.
NEW TOWN
New Town hits include the Starbar (1 Northumberland Pl) – the beer garden’s a bit wee, but they have a 10p juke box which made this place a huge hit with our researcher Lewis. Nearby is the Cumberland (1-3 Cumberland St) which has a big tree-lined garden below street level with picnic tables that fill up pretty damn quickly at the first glimmers of sun.
At the top of Leith Walk you’ll find a bunch of places with outside seating on the street, from the gay bars beside the Playhouse down to ever-popular sun trap Pearce’s (23 Elm Row). There’s also the Outhouse (12a Broughton St Lane), good for tasty beers, pizza and the occasional barbeque.
LEITH
Exciting find of the week has to be The Yard (2 Bonnington Rd Lane), tucked away behind Pilrig Park with a huge two-tiered beer garden, picnic tables, umbrellas, foliage and live jazz on a Sunday.
The Shore in Leith is the money shot of outdoor drinking locations, with a host of bars offering seats along the waterfront. The Waterline (58 The Shore) has numerous standard pub tables and standard pub fare in drinks and food. The Granary, The Ship and The Shore offer a variety of street front benches, while Cruz (14 The Shore) wins the unusual location prize with a cocktail bar on a boat and seating on the top deck. Across the water you can find somewhat well-kept secret Teuchters Landing (1c Dock Place), which has canal-level seating on a floating platform as well as more traditional picnic benches on the waterfront.
If you’re feeling particularly brave try venturing along Salamander Street to quiet gem of a pub The Pond (2-4 Bath Rd). It’s got a good selection of continental lagers and spirits, and a beer garden with heating and a very small pond. The road to get there’s pretty grim, so stay safe.
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