Best places to drink outside in Liverpool

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

What better place for a tipple than the classic British beer garden? Here we pick out the Liverpool venues with the best beer gardens and outdoor drinking areas.

Plenty of pubs and bars in Liverpool either have a quality, spacious beer garden or have hit the location jackpot and discovered an outdoor space that can be repurposed for casual outdoor drinks. Heat lamps and umbrellas will help to battle the worst excesses of the unpredictable UK weather, but really, we’re hoping the weather is as sunny and warm for as long as possible so we can enjoy a good time with pals.

Find the right spot, close your eyes and you could easily be sipping that cold beer in Ibiza, Paphos or Cancun. The Costa del Mersey may not be your first choice, but it’s not a million miles away from the real thing and if the Gods of Weather smile on us then this could pan out better than we dared imagine.

If you’re looking for an outside drink, then the pubs, bars and restaurants listed below come with a perfect outside drinking spot. Don’t dilly dally though, the best seats are going to get nabbed quicksmart. Grab a notepad and pen and use our guide to discover the best places to drink outside in Liverpool. Cheers.

Our top picks

Bombed Out Church Garden Bar

Bombed Out Church Garden Bar, Leece St, Liverpool, L1 2TR - Visit now

The beautiful Bombed Out Church has opened up its grounds to accommodate a new drinking area known as the Garden Bar. Fully seated, with huge umbrellas that cover the whole table (great for sudden downpours), it’s a stunning location to sit in and enjoy a drink.

The Bombed Out Church Garden Bar
Bombed Out Church

The Baltic Fleet

The Baltic Fleet, 33A Wapping, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 8DQ - Visit now

The Baltic Fleet is a mid-19thcentury pub named after the crews of Siberian whaling ships who used to frequent it. Now there’s a group of lads who know the joys of a beer while the sun blazes down, probably.

The Baltic Fleet Liverpool

Black Lodge Brewery

Black Lodge Brewery, 3 Kings Dock Street, Liverpool, L1 8JU - Visit now

This micro-brewery, tap house and charcuterie in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle has a great outside space, perfect for getting together with your gang of mates. It’s a little difficult to get there on foot, but worth the adventure down to the dock road.

Black Lodge Brewery
Image courtesy of Black Lodge Brewery

The Grapes Liverpool

The Grapes Liverpool, 60 Roscoe St, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9DW - Visit now

One of Liverpool’s oldest pubs and one of the most-loved to boot. There’s a roof top terrace and a beer garden out back, perfect for these outside drinking days.

The Grapes Pub, Liverpool
The Grapes. Photo © Vicky Andrews

The Pen Factory

The Pen Factory, 13 Hope Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9BQ - Visit now

From the team behind the old Everyman Bistro comes The Pen Factory, an inviting restaurant with a knock-out craft beer list and a cracking garden out the back for you to grab some rays.

Free State Kitchen

Free State Kitchen, No.1 Maryland St, Liverpool, L1 9DE - Visit now

Situated behind Hope Street is Free State Kitchen’s garden; a pleasing, verdant space where you’ll find slices of blueberry pie, fairy lights, picnic tables and a statue of Jesus that bears a rather unsettling resemblance to one of Doctor Who’s weeping angels. They’ve even brought in an old shipping container to use as an outside bar where they’ll dole out cocktails and craft beer to the fine people of Liverpool.

The garden at Free State Kitchen
Free State Kitchen. Photo © Vicky Andrews

El Gato Negro Liverpool

El Gato Negro Liverpool, Walker House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool,, Liverpool, L2 3YL - Visit now

El Gato Negro Liverpool is one of a number of Manchester-based establishments which have made their way across the M62. Their offering is tapas, combining modern and traditional Spanish dishes. Combine that with an enviable spec in the open square of Exchange Flags and you’ve got a winner for al fresco dining.

El Gato Negro Liverpool

District Liverpool

District Liverpool, 61 Jordan Street, Liverpool, L1 0BE - Visit now

District Liverpool is a vibrant multi-purpose venue that hosts gigs, club nights, film screenings, cabaret, festivals and much more. They also boast a hip outdoors area in the form of Yard, a garden bar which offers a great selection of ales, cocktails and spirits, plus DJs playing a chilled mix of tunes.

 

Yard Bar at District
Photo: Baltic Triangle

Where to go in Liverpool

Liverpool
Tourist Attraction
The Cavern Club

This Beatles favourite music venue has seen not only the biggest band in the world, but much around it – from 1950s Jazz and 21st Century indie rock.

Liverpool
Bar or Pub
Hangar 34

Hangar 34 is a huge warehouse, dedicated to live music, nightlife, exhibitions and much more. It’s always worth checking out.

Liverpool
Event venue
Eric’s Live

This lively music venue in Liverpool is situated on the famous Matthew Street, music lovers heaven.

Liverpool
Bar or Pub
Frederik’s

Frederik’s neighbourhood kitchen & bar has been the hub of the Georgian Quarter since 2013. Award winning cocktails and a great Sunday roast!

Liverpool
Bar or Pub
Azvex Brewing and Taproom

Azvex Brewing and Taproom, on Liverpool waterfront, make delicious beer that you can drink in house or get ordered straight to your door.

Vice Liverpool
Liverpool
Bar or Pub
Vice Liverpool

Vice is a new nightclub and bar in Liverpool, featuring neon lights, zebra-style flooring and a glossy white Ferrari taking centre stage.

Tempest on Tithebarn
Liverpool
Restaurant
Tempest on Tithebarn

Tempest on Tithebarn is a huge industrial bar, serving up high-quality small plates and cocktails. It features regular live music performances and has a roof terrace with great views.

Hobo Kiosk Liverpool
Baltic Triangle
Bar or Pub
Hobo Kiosk

‘Good Beer and Fine Company’ is the motto at Hobo Kiosk and that’s exactly what you’ll get.

Liverpool Visitor Guides

Cinemas in Liverpool

Whether you want a multiplex or something a little extra, the cinemas in Liverpool have it all.

Restaurants on Liverpool’s Bold Street

Bold Street is one of Liverpool's most high-profile areas, full of unique coffee shops and independent restaurants. Here's our expert guide to this wonderful area.

Casual dining in Liverpool

From delicate small plates to locally-sourced laid-back dining, Liverpool has it all. We get it, sometimes you’re just not in the mood to get dressed-up and fancy, sometimes jeans, t-shirt...

Vegan Food in Liverpool
Vegan Food in Liverpool

Liverpool is one of the better cities when it comes to high-quality vegan cuisine - here's our guide to the best vegan food in the city

Croxteth Hall and Country Park
Walks in Liverpool

A round-up of the best walks in Liverpool, including the city centre, its many parks, and over the water by Creative Tourist.

Coffee Shops in Liverpool

Over the last couple of years, Liverpool – like the rest of the country – has been taken over by an army of artisan coffee shops. But how do you separate the wheat from the chaff (or bean from the berry)?

Baltic Fleet from the outside.
Pubs in Liverpool

Liverpool has seen something of a renaissance of the old-fashioned boozer - here's our guide to the city's best pubs.

Easter Holidays in Manchester and the North
Spotlight on

Things to do over the Easter Holidays

Looking for some ideas to keep little and big kids as busy as the Easter bunny? Check out our guide.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Affecting contemporary performances and fresh, relevant takes on enduring classics, we pick out shows that help us scrutinise the world we live in.

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.