Birmingham's best beer gardens to enjoy in the sun

Whether you're catching a quick lunch break drink, heading out on a Sunday session with pals or just popping for a quiet one by yourself, you can't really beat a beer garden. Especially when the sun's shining. And we have plenty to visit in the city.

The restrictions of the past two years have us appreciating more than ever the precious time we can spend enjoying our pubs and bars. It's just one of those things we took for granted before, but will never again. One thing Covid restrictions did spark was the development of beer gardens to be more comfortable than ever before. Pubs invested in outdoor furniture, heaters and rain covers, upgrading their spaces.

If you fancy a pub with a beer garden that's family friendly - check out our child friendly pubs with play areas guide.

Read more: Sunny pub garden in Birmingham city centre opens with 'great beer and good honest food'

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Here are some of our favourite outdoor spots for a drink in the sunshine. Or on a grey day... not even they can deter us now. If you have some more suggestions, pop them in the comments below.

City Centre

The Flapper

Few places in Birmingham are more beautiful than the Flapper by night, when lights glimmer off the canal and the terrace is warm from an afternoon of sun. There's loads of seats too, so you don't have to worry too much about not getting a seat on a summer's night.

It's an alternative, rock 'n' roll bar with character. It's particularly good if you're hoping to grab a beer before a show at the Utilita arena.

For food, there's big sandwiches from 6ixSubs with loads of brilliant options including cheesesteak, aubergine parm, tandoori lamb and crab and avocado.

Kingston Row, Cambrian Wharf, B1 2NU

Purecraft

Waterloo Street bar Purecraft has opened its outdoor terrace for summer and it has plans to extend right around the entire boozer to maximise all that space to sit in the sun. With views over the Council House, the Floozie and all that's beautiful about Victoria Square, it's in an enviable spot!

Purecraft is known for its fresh Purity beers, so if you're after a crisp pint in the sunshine, you can't go far wrong. That said, there's loads more to choose from and bar snacks like home made pork pies and sausage rolls!

Aside from that, they have a food menu that features pub classics like burgers, fish and chips and curry. There are veggie options too.

30 Waterloo Street, Birmingham, B2 5TJ

The Wellington

The Wellington is a specialist real ale pub so there's loads on the taps to try and they're often changing. Its rooftop terrace is available year-round.

There's a retractable roof to keep the raindrops out of your pint along with a big telly to show sport. As well as beers there are specialist spirits, including a good selection of gins.

37 Bennetts Hill, B2 5SN

The Botanist

Formerly known as The Canal House, The Botanist has a gorgeous terrace overlooking the (you guessed it) waterways of Brum. The former James Brindley has one of the largest outdoor areas in the Brindleyplace area, making it the perfect safe space to enjoy a beer.

On the menu, enjoy dishes including tapas dishes, burgers, fish, and chips, as well as The Botanist's famous hanging kebabs. There's frequent live music too.

12 Bridge Street, B1 2JR.

The Distillery

The venue, formerly the Fiddle and Bone, has a massive courtyard which also overlooks the canal. As far as food goes, there's a rotisserie and robata grill and they serve wood-fired pizza too. The restaurant serves up Sunday roast while screening sport and will screen the Euros this year.

As the name indicates, this is a gin distillery, so there's plenty on offer to quench your thirst. It's split into two floors so there's plenty of space inside if the heavens open.

4 Sheepcote Street, B16 8AE.

Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill

Not your typical beer garden, this is a sophisticated roof terrace with a retractable roof and amazing views over the city. Sip on cocktails as you enjoy the sights from this 360 degree vantage point.

As well as being a sun-soaked spot for warm afternoons and balmy evenings, it is fully heated for when it turns a little crisp. As far as food goes, it's British fare, including an afternoon tea. The whole place has recently been given a refresh.

The Cube, 200 Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1PR

Gosta Green Pub

This Victorian pub on the Aston University campus has one of the largest beer gardens in town. Sit in the shade of umbrellas at one of many picnic tables and enjoy a drink in the sun.

Craft beers and cocktails are on the menu, along with breakfasts, tacos, wings and platters. They do a bottomless brunch too!

Holt Street, Birmingham, B7 4BG

Figure of Eight

It may just be a simple Wetherspoons, but the Figure of Eight on Broad Street also has a little beer garden out the back. Lots of tables surrounded by green foliage makes for a surprising little city centre haven.

As with all other Wetherspoons, you can expect the usual cheap pints, inexpensive food and offers. A good option if you like the familiarity, and pricing, of a 'Spoons.

236-239 Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2HG

Digbeth and Deritend

The Old Crown

Birmingham's oldest pub, The Old Crown, benefits from having an ample beer garden. It hosts loads of events, quizzes and more to keep things fresh.

Menu choices include Irish stew, full Irish breakfast and burgers and gyros off the grill. On Sundays, you can enjoy a classic roast. To book, go here. Walk-ins for drinks and food from the main menu welcome.

High St, Deritend, B12 0LD

Hennessey's

Hennessey's has live music and sport to entertain visitors to its massive beer garden. It is fitted out with all the mod cons including heating and TV screens.

Dishes available at this Digbeth venue include hamburgers, kebabs and loaded fries. Expect live music and loads of live sport as well as one of the best pints of Guinness in town. Book here, but walk-ins are welcome too.

30-31 Allison St, B5 5TJ

Read more: 43 Birmingham beer gardens and roof terraces where you can enjoy a pint in the sunshine

Zumhof Biergarten

Zumhof Biergarten has such a cool beer garden that it's named for it. In its 'yard' you can find loads of tables to sit at while sampling something from its extensive beer list, including local brews.

Street food is on the menu at its Food Food Märkt. Currently serving up Chatty Patty chicken and Peacer, some of the best pizza you can get anywhere in town. There's live music and entertainment on both the outdoor and indoor stages, every night and every weekend.

29 Heath Mill Ln, Deritend, B9 4AL

Jewellery Quarter

The Church Inn

Up on this pub roof terrace, tables and chairs surround a central skylight, and punters can sup cocktails and real ale from the bar below. Food wise, expect juicy steaks, a Sunday roast as well as snacks to tide you over.

There's a quiz night on a Thursday, and 2-4-1 spritz from Wednesday to Sunday. For more info, go to its Facebook page.

22 Great Hampton St, B18 6AQ

The Red Lion

The Red Lion is a traditional pub in the JQ that's now under the ownership of Joule's Brewery, so expect good beers made with Shropshire water. Philly cheese steaks for a fiver, live sport and a pub quiz are on the menu!

They also do an award-winning roast. Dog friendly, people friendly. Proper boozer.

95 Warstone Lane, Hockley, B18 6NG

The Rectory

There are a few tables outside the Rectory which is situated in possibly the most beautiful spot in the city - St Paul's Square. Enjoy British food in the courtyard or sip a local beer or spirit in the sun.

The Rectory is big on darts, so if you want a game with your pals, this is the place. Expect regular deals including Taco Tuesdays, bottomless brunches and sport on the box.

50-54 St Paul's Square, Birmingham, B3 1QS

The Button Factory

The Button Factory has a very sunny terrace upstairs that catches the afternoon sun beautifully. It's a great spot to enjoy a themed Bottomless Brunch or a big glass of gin.

There's food too, including Sunday roasts and rotisserie meats. The cocktails are pretty good as well.

25 Frederick St, B1 3HH

Edgbaston

The Physician

This massive pub at the corner of Highfield Road and Harborne Road has a stunning garden space for outdoor dining. The handsome building has a huge reclaimed wooden bar housing eight local cask ales, as well as a 50-strong wine list.

It's a great pub on chilly nights too, with big comfy chairs and fires to warm your cockles. The menu is rich and long, with everything from a sharing chateaubriand to fish and chips, salads and 'lighter things' like sandwiches and crispy potato rosti.

Harborne Road, B15 3DH

Harborne

The Plough

This much-loved pub and restaurant on Harborne High Street offers hearty breakfasts, roast dinners, salads and pizzas. It is a Harborne institution, so it's always super busy but worth a try. Its buzzy atmosphere is hard to beat.

The pretty outdoor space is lit by fairy lights and has a real comfortable, chilled-out vibe. The garden is heated and covered so you're all set, whatever the weather.

21 High St, Harborne, B17 9NT

Moseley and Balsall Heath

The Prince of Wales

This has to be a contender for the best beer garden in Birmingham. Grab a real ale from the front bar or at the weekend, order a Tiki-style zombie cocktail from the special drinks menu, warm yourself on a wood-burning fire pit or watch big screen sport in the sun.

Tuck into smashed burgers from Deadly Sins if you're hungry. There's covered areas too, for when the weather is unpredictable.

118 Alcester Road, Moseley, B13 8EE

The Old Moseley Arms

The Old Moseley Arms is another old fashioned boozer off the beaten track of cool, hip and happening bars of Moseley. Curries are on the menu, and some say that this place offers the best pint of Enville you'll find anywhere in the city.

A host of reviewers have given it top marks on Google reviews and TripAdvisor thanks to great service in a friendly environment. Masala fish in the sun? Sounds like a great time.

53 Tindal Street, Balsall Heath, B12 9QU

The Fighting Cocks

This boozer has great cocktails to enjoy in a beautiful beer garden. Aperol Spritz in the sun? You could be in Italy!

Live music, quizzes and more keep you on your toes, or you can simply enjoy a quiet pint with your Sunday roast. Steak night and football on the box reminds you that you're still in a British boozer.

1 St Mary's Row, Moseley, B13 8HW

Stirchley

Stir Stores

You'd never know that there was a little neon garden out the back of Stir Stores on Pershore Road unless you went inside, so in that regard, this one is the epitome of a hidden gem - it's as bright and sparkly as one too!

There's art from local artists on the walls, it's a proper sun trap with cover for when it rains. Stir Stores is a bit of a community hub in that they put on comedy gigs and music acts. They do quizzes and other events too!

Cocktails are what they're best for but local beers are on tap too. Even if you sit inside, there's a big window they open out on to the street to bring the outdoor vibes indoors!

1469 Pershore Road, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 2JL

Attic Brew Co

Stirchley brewery Attic has space outside in which to sit and enjoy any of the super fresh brews made right on the premises. There's a fridge full of cans if you don't fancy anything off the tap, as well as soft drinks, spirits and other non-beer options. The beer's best, though!

Because there's so much outdoor space, there's often a street food vendor out there too, slinging something delicious you can eat at one of the benches outside or indoors on the long tables where everyone chills together.

Dogs are welcome and that makes it even better. Right opposite Bournville train station and along the canal, it's a great spot.

29B Mary Vale Road, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 2DA

This list has been updated on May 10, 2024 and was originally published in 2021.