Glasgow’s Best Beer Gardens

Glasgow’s Best Beer Gardens

glasgow-best-beer-gardensWe know you’ve got your local and your favourite pubs all sorted out. But when it comes to sunny days in Glasgow, there is nothing better than sipping your pint (or a cocktail) in the open air, in one of Glasgow’s surprisingly many beautiful beer gardens. Here are some of Glasgow’s best al fresco drinking joints.

That wonderful, big ball of heat and vitamin D only comes to visit us once or twice a year. Let’s all soak it up!

City Centre

Glasgow city centre may be full of hustle and bustle and rushing commuters, but there are quite a few places where you can sit with a drink, enjoy the sunshine and forget about it all.

Sloans, Argyle St

Not only is Sloans a Glasgow landmark, but it is Glasgow’s oldest bar and restaurant and has been in business for more than 200 years. Tucked up a little lane off Argyle Street, Sloan’s beer garden is a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of the very busy city centre. You may have walked past it a thousand times without even realising what was there. When you walk through that archway and sit in their beer garden you will notice the unique history surrounding you. Sloans is by far one of Glasgow’s best.

62 Argyll Arcade, Glasgow, G2 8BG

sloans-beer-garden-glasgow-city-centre

Chinaski’s, Charing Cross

You might not think that Chinaski’s is the best place for a beer garden. It does, after all overlook the ever so beautiful M8 motorway… But head out the back, down some steps and you’ll find a perfect little hideout in this urban, chilled out beer garden. The bar has a fantastic beer selection, but you’d be forgiven for going for one of their speciality bourbons instead.

239 North Street, Glasgow, G3 7DL

 chinaskis-beer-garden-glasgow

The Ark, North Frederick St

Situated smack bang in the middle of several colleges and a university, The Ark is definitely one for the student crowd. It’s also a member of the Scream chain, and can be a very lively pub. But the awesome size of this split level beer garden is quite something. There are tons of benches and tables and the beer garden fits a lot of people. It does however get very busy even at the mere hint of sunshine; it doesn’t have to be a taps aff day to enjoy The Ark.

46 North Frederick Street, Glasgow, G1 2BS

the-ark-glasgow-city-centre-beer-garden

Bier Halle, Gordon St

Smack bang in the heart of Glasgow city centre you’ll find this little bit of heaven in a patch of claimed street. Take a load off your feet, relax and enjoy the sunshine, making every commuter running past trying to catch their train extremely jealous! There’s no mistaking it; it’s literally a cordoned off bit of Gordon Street. Perfect for a beer in the sunshine, Bier Halle also serves up excellent food as well. You have to try their pizza.

7-9 Gordon St, Glasgow, G1 3PL

bier-halle-glasgow-city-centre-beer-garden

Babbity Bowster, Merchant City

The Merchant City isn’t well known for it’s spacious beer gardens, and the most you’ll tend to get are a couple of table and chairs out the front of bars, especially along Candleriggs. But over on the other side of Merchant Square you’ll find the petite Babbity Bowster which has a small, but really nice little sun trap patio beer garden at the side. Their Scottish grub is particularly delicious too.

16 Blackfriars St, Glasgow, G1 1PE

babbity-bowster-glasgow-city-centre-beer-gardens

Moskito, Bath St

Don’t worry, those tables out the front on Bath Street are absolutely not the beer garden we are talking about. Although they are perfectly nice if you want to catch some sun. But the real treasure is the cosy little haven you’ll find out the back of the building, away from the noise and bustle of the main road. They do cocktails, pitchers, Sunday brunch until 6pm and they’re open late every night.

200 Bath St, Glasgow, G2 4HG

moskito-beer-garden-glasgow-city-centre

The East End

The East End of Glasgow isn’t particularly well represented when it comes to beer gardens. But one springs to mind…

West Brewery, Glasgow Green

Glasgow Green isn’t even really what we’d call the East End, but it’s getting towards it. And it’s where the magnificent West is; in an unmistakeable, imposing and ever so slightly grand building. On a sunny day, with views across the expanse of Glasgow Green, there really is nowhere better to sit and enjoy a wee drink in the sun. Although the official beer garden is probably about 10 benches out the front, on a lovely sunny day the place is usually heaving with people sitting on the grass soaking up the rays!

Templeton Building, Glasgow Green, G40 1AW

west-brewery-glasgow-green-beer-garden

Drygate Brewing Co, Wellpark

Located at Wellpark in Glasgow’s East End, Drygate is almost in Dennistoun, but is still only a 10 minute walk from George Square. Making exceptional craft beers on site, the new craft beer kids on the block have wasted no time in establishing themselves as the go to place if you want great food and fantastic beer. With their decked balcony area for the sun worshippers, this is the place to be if you’re seeking some sun with your suds! If you prefer something with a little more shade, they also have a beer garden at the entrance which has lovely warm hanging gas heaters for when it cools down at night. Or if you want to drink outside when it’s not quite taps aff weather.

85 Drygate, Glasgow, G4 0UT

drygate-brewing-co-beer-garden-glasgow

The South Side

Glasgow’s South Side has some of Glasgow’s best and perhaps least well known beer gardens. Don’t we think it’s about time we all got to know them better?

Church on the Hill, Algie St

Located next to Queen’s Park and the Langside monument, the Church on the Hill is a humungous gastro pub next to the buzzing Shawlands area in the South Side. The Church on the Hill beer garden has old-school benches, and even an extension around the corner for busy days. Since it’s so close to the restaurants, pubs and clubs in Shawlands, it’ll be easy to keep your session going into the evening and night.

16 Algie Street, Glasgow, G41 3DJ

church-on-the-hill-glasgow-south-beer-garden

Clockwork, Cathcart Rd

Another excellent Southside pub at any time of year due in part to having an on-site microbrewery and a really good atmosphere. The place really comes to life in summer though, with their generously sized and beautifully maintained beer garden. In fact, the floral displays at the Clockwork Beer Co have been recognised by the Incorporation of Gardeners of Glasgow! Very short walk from Mt Florida train station, kid friendly and also serves pizzas and traditional pub food.

1153-1155 Cathcart Road, Glasgow, G42 9HB

clockwork-glasgow-south-beer-garden

Waverley Tea Rooms, Shawlands

A family friendly restaurant by day with a soft play area, kids menu and daily dining offers, the Waverley lays claim to the “largest open air terrace and beer garden this side of the Clyde”. Not only that, but it has a glass conservatory just in case the air gets a little bit nippy and you still want to enjoy the sunshine. The venue boasts top chef Michael Kilkie and an extensive cocktail menu plus live acoustic sets. It’s also the only late night bar in Shawlands, staying open til 2am Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

18 Moss-Side Road, Glasgow, G41 3TN

waverley-tea-rooms-glasgow-south-beer-garden

The West End

The West End is possibly Glasgow’s best area for an al fresco drink or two, with some of our best known and best loved beer gardens. Here are our picks of the best in the west.

Old School House, Woodlands Rd

Right across from Kelvingrove Park on Woodlands Road, an dnext door to The Stand, the Old Schoolhouse is a large, bustling, fashionable pub. Out front in their very modern beer garden, still intact, is the glass canopy which used to shelter kids from the rain, now turned into a shelter for the beer garden folk. It’s pretty busy most days, and although the beer garden fills up fast on sunny days it’s a perfectly pleasant spot to indulge in some people-watching. Kid friendly until 8.

311 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6NG

old-schoolhouse-glasgow-west-end-beer-garden

Brel, Ashton Lane

Ashton Lane is not short of places to enjoy an al fresco drink or two, but the space at the back of Brel is a favourite for westenders. Although any of the bars on Ashton Lane offering a beer garden would be excellent for a nice summer beverage, there is just something a bit special about Brel’s. Recently done up, it is spacious, comfortable and has a fantastic atmosphere. People even brave it in the winter! As well as the traditional picnic table set up, you’ll find people lounging on the hill to soak up the sun. Definitely one of the best beer gardens on Ashton Lane, and an excellent bar to boot.

Ashton Lane, Glasgow, G12 8SJ

brel-glasgow-west-end-beer-garden

Oran Mor, Byres Rd

With sunshine from early morning till late evening, Oran Mor is a great location in the heart of Glasgow’s west end just to sit with a cold drink and while away the day watching the west end world go by. Built in 1862, the church is a Scottish institution, and enjoying a drink there is one of the best ways to enjoy 150 years of Glasgow history. It truly is an epic place to sit, enjoy a drink, and bask in Glasgow’s glorious sunshine, especially if it is fleeting! The food is also pretty good.

Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8QX

oran-mor-glasgow-west-end-beer-gardens

Cottiers, Hyndland St

Situated just a few minutes walk from Byres Road, Cottiers is located in a picturesque converted church and comprises a restaurant, theatre and bar with a fantastic beer garden. There are quite a few benefits to having your bar and restaurant in an old church building; one is the beautiful architecture, but another is the expanse of surrounding grounds most pubs don’t get. Here at Cottiers, it makes for a generously sized beer garden with plenty of tables. You’ll spot the umbrellas from down the street.

93-95 Hyndland Street, Glasgow, G11 5PU

cottiers-glasgow-west-end-beer-garden

Lock 27, Anniesland

Way out west, near Anniesland, you’ll find Lock 27. As you might guess it’s situated right on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal. Although you may not venture here unless you happen to be passing through, its spacious beer garden overlooking the canal makes it worth a trip. With an outdoor terrace overlooking the water (sometimes with swans happily swimming in the canal) it really is a real gem on a hot summer’s day. Families are welcome, and there’s a decent pub menu.

1100 Crow Road, Glasgow, G13 1JT

lock-27-glasgow-anniesland-beer-garden

Inn Deep, Gt Western Rd

Bear with us here… Now we know Inn Deep’s outdoor space is teency weency, and only has a few benches and seats. But it is located right on the banks of the River Kelvin, with pleasant views across the river, the park below and up the metal stairs onto the magnificent old bridge above. A very pleasant place to relax on a sunny afternoon, if you can get a space. There’s even a couple of water bowls out for the doggies.

445 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 8HH

inn-deep-glasgow-west-end-beer-garden

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