10 best beer gardens in London 2022: pubs for an outside drink near me - from Skylight to Between The Bridges

With the summer months coming closer, and weather in the capital improving over the recent days and weeks, it’s the perfect time to head down to a beer garden.

With spectacular views in great locations, there’s many in London that can be used for a wind down pint or day out.

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Between The Bridges

After Between The Bridges was deemed a roaring success, it’s back for 2022 for another year.

It’s London’s biggest outdoor drinking area, boasting sensational street food, mini golf, the Colombian throwing game Tejo, themed markets, Drag Brunches and live music events featuring some of the top DJs on offer.

The website itself says “Between the Bridges will once again be bringing summer vibes to South Bank, perfect for after work drinks and weekend festivities.”

Between The Bridges is open Wednesday - Sunday all summer long, entry is free except after 6pm on Friday and Saturday, when tickets cost £3.

The Queen’s Walk, London SE1, southbanklondon.com/between-bridges

Skylight Tobacco Dock

Under a heated pergola in the winter, or outside soaking up the rays for the rest of the year, Skylight, with another location in Peckham, is the ideal hang out spot.

With views of the London skyline including the Gherkin building, stag parties, hen parties, birthday parties, and outdoor games including croquet and more, where else would you rather be?

They also served great food with an extensive cocktail menu too.

Opening hours: Wednesday - Saturday: 12pm - 11pm - Sunday: 12pm - 10pm

Tobacco Dock, London E1W 2SF, www.skylightbars.com/tobacco-dock

Bar Elba

This rooftop bar is situated in prime London, giving you breathtaking views of the skyline and some iconic places in London such as the Shard and more.

At certain parts of the year, they also roll out the ‘party pods’ which are lit with bright lights, adding a real festive vibe and atmosphere.

Beers include some favourites across the country including Peroni, Estrella Damm, Daura Damm and some pale ales.

Opening hours: Mon - Thurs: 2pm - 12am - Fri - Sat: 12pm - 1am - Sun: 1pm - 12am

Rooftop Mercury House, 109-117 Waterloo Rd, London SE1 8UL, bar-elba.co.uk

The Garden Gate

A classic, wood panelled 19th century pub, the Garden Gate has a cracking outdoor area that can be heated if needed.

It comes with lights that wrap around the interior, making a great setting when the sunsets for the day.

With almost 1,600 Google reviews, The Garden Gate has a great 4.2 rating.

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 12pm - 11pm

14 S End Rd, Greater, London NW3 2QE, www.thegardengatehampstead.co.uk

Vinegar Yard

Not only is this beer garden one of the trendiest in London, and well situated next to London Bridge making it a very short distance from a tube station, it is also situated almost underneath the Shard.

Vinegar Yard is also open every day, and is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5pm - 10pm, Wednesday - Saturday 12pm - 10pm and Sundays 12pm - 8pm.

There is also a flea market every weekend from 11am - 5pm.

Vinegar Yard, 72-82 St Thomas St, London SE1 3QU, www.vinegaryard.london

The Magic Garden

All you need to know about this place is in the name, as The Magic Garden has a wonderful outside garden, equipped with fairy lights to set a really nice intimate, relaxed atmosphere.

They also regularly stage live music and have ‘featured events’, which can be found on The Magic Garden website.

This place is sometimes referred to as a “festival in a pub” with the weekends being the best time to go.

Opening hours: Mon - Thurs, Sun: 10:30am - 12am - Fri - Sat: 10:30am - 2am

231 Battersea Park Rd, London SW11 4LG, www.magicgardenpub.com

The Avalon

This makes the list because it does stand out from the rest, as their outdoor spaces includes the usual amenities you’d expect to find but also has secluded booths for some privacy, if needed.

Also boasting an elegant dining room, the pub was Named after the mythical island at the heart of the legend of King Arthur.

The Avalon also offers heated spaces outside too, if needed.

Opening hours: Mon - Weds: 11am - 11pm - Thurs: 11am - 12am - Fri - Sat: 11am - 1am - Sun: 11am - 10:30pm

16 Balham Hill, Clapham South, London SW12 9EB - www.theavalonlondon.com

The Faltering Fullback

This Irish pub is nestled in Finsbury Park, with many of its Google reviews referring to their beer garden, with some labelling it the best they have ever been to.

And, you can see why. It was voted in the top 10 pubs by Time Out, and also shows all the big sporting events.

The Faltering Fullback has also made it to the big screens, as a scene from Daniel Radcliffe’s ‘Slow Club’ (2012) was filmed there.

Opening hours: Mon - Thurs: 12pm - 12am - Fri - Sat: 12pm - 1am - Sun: 12pm - 11:30pm

19 Perth Rd, Finsbury Park, London N4 3HB, falteringfullback.com

The Castle

Operation since 1832, The Castle now looks worlds away from its origins thanks to its great outdoor garden.

The garden - formerly a car park - comes equipped with eight cabana-style huts including some with built-in drinks fridges and fires.

With on demand heating too, The Castle also offers classic pub grub such as burgers, fish and chips, pies and more.

Opening hours: Mon - Weds, Sun: 11am - 11pm - Thurs - Fri: 11am - 12am - Sat: 10am - 12am

38 Tooting High St, London SW17 0RG, www.castletooting.com

The Canonbury Tavern

The Canonbury Tavern dates all the way back to the 1700s, and comes rich with history and a partially covered beer garden.

They celebrate all events here too, and will be celebrating the upcoming Queen’s Jubilee by serving the ‘monarch burger’.

This pub was also frequented by George Orwell, and it was one of three pubs to provide him with inspiration for ‘The Moon Under Water’.

Opening hours: Mon - Thurs: 11am - 11pm - Fri: 11am - 11:30pm - Sat: 12pm - 11:30pm - Sun: 12pm - 10:30pm

21 Canonbury Pl, London N1 2NS, www.thecanonbury.co.uk