Liverpool Beer Garden Guide

Looking for a beer garden in which to nurse a cold drink on one of Liverpool's rare sunny afternoon? Look no further – we've got you covered.

Feature by The Skinny Editorial Team | 12 May 2016

Best Beer Gardens in Liverpool City Centre

The only silver lining in the closure of the much-loved music and arts venue Kazimier is that its outdoor space, The Kazimier Garden (32 Seel St), is still with us. It’s a little haven inside the city, and while punters flock to it when the sun is shining, it operates a strict one-in-one-out policy when it gets busy, ensuring that the crowd never kills the chilled, laid-back atmosphere. It’s got a fire pit, twinkling fairy lights and lots of great food from the barbecue and kitchen. You won’t want to leave. 

Also much-loved and much-missed is MelloMello, but the new gaff in its wake, The Merchant (40-42 Slater St), has at least introduced a sunny outdoor space to go along with the rustic atmosphere and great beer selection.

Another popular Seel Street hangout is The Peacock (51 Seel St). Its small courtyard is a great spot to watch the world go by and the kitchen keeps churning out stoned baked pizzas ‘til 2am, so once the outdoor heaters kick in you can keep drinking late into the night.

If you're looking for a more intimate day in the sun, you could do a lot worse than The Monro (92 Duke St) down on Duke Street. With its gorgeous garden, resplendent with hanging baskets and eye-catching blossoms, it's a great spot for a romantic summer's afternoon drink.

And while you might not fancy a mac'n'cheeseburger on a sweltering day, it’s still worth heading to comfort food specialists Free State Kitchen (1 Maryland St) when it’s warm out, simply to enjoy a cocktail in its sprawling beer garden.

Best Beers Gardens in Liverpool's Georgian Quarter

Self-styled as 'everyone’s local', The Grapes (60 Roscoe St) is one of the friendliest watering holes in Liverpool and its hidden beer garden out back, where you can enjoy nine different ales and 15 varieties of gin, provides a cosy space during the summer months. The Clove Hitch (23 Hope St) is another Georgian Quarter favourite. Its airy bar and bistro serves great food and drink, while its rustic courtyard festooned with twinkling lights is one of the prettiest and most laid-back in the city. Another favourite among those in the know is Ye Cracke (13 Rice St). Its beer yard is spacious, leafy and full of Liverpool history – this is where John and Cynthia Lennon used to go on dates when they were attending the nearbye Liverpool Art College.

Best Beer Gardens in The Baltic Triangle

One of Liverpool’s favourite spots to head when the sun is beating down is Constellations (37-39 Greenland St). There’s a distinct Scandinavian vibe to this Baltic Triangle gem. As well as a great beer garden, the venue is awash with food and drink events, arts markets and gigs throughout the week. Coming into bloom in the summer months is Botanical Garden (49 New Bird St,). OK, you've got us, it's a gin garden, but we're not too picky when it comes to our heat-wave beverages. Expect cubanos sandwiches from a Finca pop up all summer, plus they've started doing outdoor film screenings too. 

Best Beer Garden by Liverpool Docks

Down by Pier Head, Matou’s roof terrace has some of the best views of Liverpool, including an elevated look at the Liver Birds. The Pumphouse (Albert Dock), one of the most imposing buildings on the docks, is another fine spot to chill in the sun and from the seating area out front you've one of the best places in Liverpool to admire the city's beautiful skyline. Built in the soaring tower of a Grade II listed former pumphouse, it's a stunning pub. 

Best Beer Gardens by Lark Lane

This street out by Sefton Park warrants an entry all its own; when the sun is shining, half the city heads here. Beer garden-wise you have Love and Rockets (28 Lark Ln), a place of good vibes that's always packed when it's sunny. There's also The Lodge (34 Lark Ln), which has a beer garden to the back – not the biggest but they've just reopened after a refurb adding an additional bar. 

Looking to get in the holiday spirit? Even on the most overcast of days there’s a mediterranean vibe to Esteban (40 Lark Ln), making it the perfect place to get acclimatised for an upcoming beach binge. Under its palm tree lined patio you could be fooled for thinking you were on the Costa del Sol as you swig sangria and nibble on tapas.

Best Beer Gardens in South Liverpool

When the sun comes out, The Elephant (1 Woolton St), with its seating that spills out across Woolton Street, is the liveliest spot in the suburb of Woolston. For a more tranquil alternative, try Liberty Tavern (1 Woolton St), which you’ll find at The Elephant’s rear. Its stylish beer garden always proves popular in the summer.

Have we missed any of your favourites? Let us know in the comments below.