While we can’t always depend on the weather in Northern Ireland, we can depend on top-notch beer gardens serving up refreshing drinks and mouth-watering food in delightful surroundings.
There are few things more refreshing than pulling up a pew, soaking up the sun and enjoying a cold pint or glass of wine with friends and family.
Here are some of our favourite beer gardens for you to enjoy, from covered courtyards, to family (and dog) friendly venues, as well as a few ‘Instaworthy’ spots.
Belfast
Haymarket
When it comes to location, it's hard to beat Haymarket. It's the perfect place for a drink after shopping in the city centre. Situated just off Royal Avenue, the menu offers a host of delicious hand crafted cocktails and street food in a funky beer garden. With live music in the courtyard every weekend and a variety of tasty street food available, Haymarket is the place to be.
The Bone Yard
The Bone Yard by Pug Uglys has both outdoor and covered space, with an array of picnic tables and private living room containers making you feel at home. Watch live sport and relax with a drink. Three food vendors have set up camp onsite. Choose from wing it, Cu Mexican or HiBurger for a delicious bite to eat (and make sure to keep an eye on their lunch deals). This is not only a great place to meet with friends and grab a pint, it's also dog friendly!
Horatio Todd's
Situated in East Belfast, this bar features an exciting lineup of entertainment throughout the week. It's a great place to unwind and celebrate with a tasty menu featuring burgers, seafood, and even Sunday roasts. And when the sun's out, the beer garden is hard to beat.
More like this: The Dirty Onion, The National, The Dark Horse, The Jailhouse, Duke of York and Kelly's Cellars.
County Antrim
Mary McBrides, Cushendun
Once one of the smallest pubs on the island of Ireland and protected by the National Trust, Mary McBrides is situated in the picturesque Glens of Antrim, in the beautiful coastal town of Cushendun. It is the perfect stop off on our way to explore the famous Causeway Coast. Enjoy stories from the locals about the late landlady.
Sleepy Hollow, Newtownabbey
Working closely with local food producers to create traditional Irish food with a modern twist, this is not only a hidden gem from the hustle and bustle but the perfect place in the countryside to enjoy a cocktail in their small beer garden.
More like this: Quay's Bar
County Londonderry
Harrys Shack, Portstewart
With stunning views of Portstewart Strand, local seafood and a DJ on Saturdays, who needs the Balearics? Watch the sun go down in the most beautiful of settings, sipping a cold beer and munching on some fresh scampi, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Dungloe, Derry ~ Londonderry
Dungloe in the heart of the city offers a large heated beer garden with live music, promising good food, ice cold beer and great craic.
The Thirsty Goat, Derry ~ Londonderry
The Thirsty Goat Bar & Beer Garden opened in Derry in October 2019, offering locals and visitors a warm welcome. Enjoy delicious dishes food from the all-day menu and a line-up of entertainment celebrating local talent. Whether your tipple is perfectly pulled pint or a great selection of beer, you'll be sure to enjoy the craic in the beer garden with a live band that has the crowd rockin’.
County Tyrone
The Jailbird Bar, Cookstown
A modern day speakeasy bar with funky and vibrant décor, try the mouth-watering cocktails and sharing platters in this stylish venue. Sat in what once was an old Jail, the atmosphere is so good, it's criminal.
More like this: Main Street, Tomney's Pub, and McAleer's Bar.
County Armagh
Sally McNallys, Portadown
Nestled in the countryside, this family-run venue is the perfect location to sit and enjoy some pub grub. Winners of Best Casual Dining in County Armagh at the Northern Ireland Hospitality Awards 2018 and 2019, why not try their famous handmade pizzas from their outdoor stove and relax in the spacious beer garden.
Basil Shiels Bar, Tassagh
Known as the hidden gem in the Orchard County and nestled on the banks of the River Callan in Tassagh, this quaint and traditional pub is a must to soak up the atmosphere, listen to live music and drink with the locals.
More like this: The Hole in the Wall
County Down
Jamaica Inn, Bangor
With stunning views from the seafront beer garden, watch the world and boats go by! Serving food, coffee or a crisp glass of white wine to quench your thirst after a coastal walk.
Daft Eddys, Strangford Lough
Daft Eddys in Killinchy provides a large outdoor seating area and arguably the most beautiful view of Strangford Lough. The beer garden offers food and drinks for cyclists, dog owners or those wanting to soak in the surroundings.
More like this: Grace Neills, Hugh McCann's, Whistledown Hotel, Dirty Duck, The Hillside and The Bridge Bar.
County Fermanagh
Devenish Bar, Enniskillen
The Devenish Bar in Enniskillen is famous for its great atmosphere, delicious food and hearty pints. They have a pool room and live streaming of sports to keep you entertained all evening. Check out the events and promotions on throughout the week.
Watermill Restaurant, Enniskillen
Watermill Restaurant could be mistaken for something out of a Disney movie. This unique setting on the shore of Lough Erne is not only a place to unwind and enjoy a glass of some of the very best wines but also fine dining and stunning views.
More like this: The Taphouse.
We hope you enjoy these suggestions. Let us know your favourite or any we've missed! Join in the conversation online with #MyGiantAdventure
This East Belfast bar and restaurant is family friendly with healthy choices for the kids, and creative choices for vegetarians. Serving up top notch local produce, such as Walter Ewing's salmon, and comber potatoes.
The Dirty Onion is Belfast's oldest building, dating back to 1780, the building was used as a bonded spirit warehouse from 1921. It was then known as ‘STACK N’ – a reference to its position on the north side of Waring Street.
Nestled along a narrow-cobbled alleyway in the historic Half Bap area, the Duke of York offers a traditional Belfast welcome of craic, music and humour.
In the heart of Belfast's city centre, this pub has maintained the friendly atmosphere of over 250 years ago. With a long tradition of quality beer and fine food, Kelly's Cellars offers all customers a chance to enjoy the perfect pint of Guinness.
Mary's is a traditional Irish pub with lots of history and stories to be told. Come along and enjoy a homemade meal and a pint of Guinness. Our menu offers something for everyone whether it's our steak and Guinness pie or our delicious Cock and Bull.
A shack, located on arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in Northern Ireland - Portstewart Strand - which serves fresh local fish, meats, vegetables and more. What's not to love!
A great aul’ buzz can be found in McAleer’s Bar. Traditional meets contemporary in this nightlife hotspot. Bright and bustling, this bar certainly has something for everyone.
Jamaica Inn is a Bangor institution, run by Dave and Michelle Harding since 2004. A warm welcome, great food and drinks and a superb setting with a fabulous beer garden awaits you on the coast road. Be sure to book a table!
Renowned for its fresh food and wonderful hospitality, Daft Eddy's offers fresh seafood and a host of other local produce.
Reputedly "the oldest pub in Northern Ireland", Grace Neil's offers a safe haven from both the weather and the hustle and bustle of modern life. It is the perfect spot for award-winning food, a welcome drink with friends or some old-world character and charm to feed the imagination.
Hugh McCann's has a spectacular location opposite Newcastle's new promenade with panoramic sea views. The two hundred year old building is fully restored with antique fixtures and fittings.
The Whistledown Hotel on the shores of Carlingford Lough is surrounded by the grandeur of the Mourne Region. Enjoy the beach, seaside promenade and adjoining restored park with its famous Edwardian Bandstand, gardens and childrens' secure play area.
The Dirty Duck situated looking over Belfast Lough, known for their delicious food and cold pints is a great spot to meet with friends and have great times while embracing the beautiful view.
The Hillside is a charming, rustic pub situated in the historic village of Royal Hillsborough, County Down, only 15 minutes drive from Belfast city centre. The Hillside first opened its doors in 1752 and has been enjoying a busy trade since, thanks to an excellent food and drinks selection and the friendly, welcoming service.
The Bridge Bar situated in the heart of Newry has built loyal customers near and far for generations, due to its great selection of drinks, the cosy and traditional interiors and the convivial atmosphere and friendliness of pub goers and staff.
This very unique setting offers something special both as a culinary destination and simply a luxurious getaway spot. A place to unwind and enjoy a glass of some of the very best wines that France and the world have to offer. Relax on the shore of Lough Erne just meters away with a master chef and his team on hand to create something special.
