The Best Outdoor Drinking Spots in London
By Ellie Smith
1 month ago
Where to drink outside in the capital
Wondering where to book for al fresco tipples during the heatwave this week? The sun is shining, and London’s outdoor drinking offering is better than ever. From Shoreditch to Peckham, the capital is filled with pretty terraces and lively beer gardens for catching up with friends – below we select our favourites.
Al Fresco Pubs & Bars In London
The Rose, Fulham
Known as Fulham’s ‘Village Pub’, the garden at The Rose is typically quaint. Enjoy a refreshing drink as you listen to the gentle swell of the water features and admire the carpet of flowering shrubs. Just perfect for a lazy afternoon drink or meal with friends. Totally unique, the layout provides private and secluded areas perfect for a quiet (or not-so-quiet) afternoon.
1 Harwood Terrace, London SW6 2AF, therosefulham.co.uk
Image: Instagram
Bussey Rooftop Bar, Peckham
With 360 degree views across London, Bussey building’s rooftop bar is rather spectacular come sunset. It’s one of Peckham’s buzziest venues year-round, especially on weekends when the party continues late into the night.
Roof B, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST, busseyrooftopbar.com
Image: Instagram @busseyrooftopbar
Ivy Chelsea Garden, Chelsea
Well, it would be wrong not to include this ever-popular Chelsea haunt. Whatever the weather, few places beat The Ivy’s garden. The perfect spot for people-watching.
195 197 King’s Rd, London SW3 5EQ, theivychelseagarden.com
Duke of Edinburgh, Brixton
The Duke of Edinburgh’s beer garden is legendary – and it’s one of the biggest in south London. With a large bar, BBQ pit and extensive seating, it’s made for a slow (and boozy) Sundays with friends.
204 Ferndale Rd, London SW9 8AG, dukeofedinburghpub.com
Image: Instagram
Dalloway Terrace, Fitzrovia
Named after the eponymous character created by Virginia Woolf, forever a Bloomsbury association, Dalloway Terrace is similarly elegant, poetic and quintessentially English. Its flower-covered outdoor space makes it one of the city’s most sought-after al fresco drinking spots across all seasons. Diners can enjoy lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and cocktails amid the Instagram-friendly setting, which undergoes a seasonal makeover every few months.
16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN, dallowayterrace.com
The Prince, Fulham
Boasting the title of London’s largest pub garden, The Prince has ample space for outdoor drinks with friends. Hang out under the pergola with street food from the likes of Wildcard and Utter Waffle.
14 Lillie Rd, London SW6 1TT, theprincelondon.com
The Regent, Balham
South London’s answer to Narnia is found at Balham pub The Regent, where an old wardrobe leads through to a secret garden. Once inside you’ll find yourself in a botanical hideaway, decked out with festoon lighting, flowers and bamboo. Nab one of the cosy lounge chairs and settle in for early evening drinks and upmarket pub favourites including sharing boards, burgers and arancini.
21 Chestnut Grove, London SW12 8JB, theregentbalham.co.uk
Crate Brewery, Hackney Wick
A former print factory transformed into a brewery and pizzeria by locals, CRATE Brewery is hipster London at its peak. Sip on house-brewed beers and thin crust pizzas while watching boats cruise along the canal.
Unit 7 Queen’s Yard, London E9 5EN, cratebrewery.com
The Albion, Islington
Arguably one of the most beautiful beer gardens in London, The Albion’s garden space is flooded with wisteria and flickering candles which make for endless Instagram opportunities. The French windows in the restaurant open onto over 450 metres of wisteria-filled English country garden – truly breathtaking.
10 Thornhill Rd, London N1 1HW, the-albion.co.uk
Image: Instagram @thealbionpub
The Magic Garden, Battersea
This Battersea pub does boho chic at its finest. The Magic Garden boasts live music and DJs from all genres, where creative south-west Londoners flock on weekends. With its laid-back Glasto vibes, the so-called ‘festival in a pub’ is the kind of place you’ll struggle to leave.
231 Battersea Park Rd, London SW11 4LG, magicgardenpub.com
The Ship, Wandsworth
If the South Bank isn’t your vibe, join the rest of London’s millennials at The Ship in Wandsworth for waterside al fresco drinking. The landmark pub dates back to 1786 and continues to draw in the crowds. Not the place to go ‘for a quick pint’.
41 Jews Row, London SW18 1TB, theship.co.uk
Mercato Metropolitano, Elephant & Castle
Covering 15,000 square feet with over 500 seats, there’s ample space for al fresco drinking at Mercato Metropolitano, a food and drink metropolis in Elephant & Castle. You’ll find over 40 food and drinks vendors, plus an on-site craft micro-brewery serving fresh German-style beers. It’s a pretty space too, decked out with over 200 plants ranging from ferns and bamboo to hop plants and olive trees.
42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR, mercatometropolitano.com
St. Felix Place, Borough
This outdoor drinking and dining venue was launched a couple of years ago in the heart of Borough. Titled St. Felix Place and located under the arches on SE1’s The Low Line, the space features a craft beer brewery and taproom alongside an eclectic food offering – think Tex-Mex BBQ from Texas Joe’s Adobe and focaccia-styled pizza from The Good Slice. The venue also plays host to weekly local DJs, live acoustic sessions and a book swap programme, plus a permanent busking pitch.
45 Southwark St, London, SE1 9HP, stfelixplace.co.uk
Vinegar Yard, London Bridge
London Bridge’s Vinegar Yard is helmed by the team behind Flat Iron Square, another popular al fresco destination. Filled with street food traders (we’re particularly a fan of the ‘Doughvid-19’ at Bad Boy Pizza Society), pop-up bars and a huge outdoor garden, it’s a buzzy post-work drinks spot open till late, offering unobstructed views of The Shard. You can also catch sporting events and popular TV on the courtyard’s big screen.
72-82 St Thomas St, London SE1 3QX, vinegaryard.london
Peckham Arches, Peckham
From the team behind West London favourite The Hawk’s Nest comes Peckham Arches, an outdoor space for drinking and dining. There’s a large terrace seating 600 people, which is covered and heated, alongside a two cocktail bars, a games room and even an art gallery. A monthly programme, meanwhile, plays host to live music, DJs and more. This summer, don’t miss a BBQ takeover from Ruben’s Reubens, plus pay a visit to Skylarking, a festoon-lit bar serving pizzas.
Blenheim Grove, London SE15 4QN, peckhamarches.com
