The 12 best beer gardens in Glasgow

The Chip may be one of the West End’s best-known boozers, but its roof terrace is one of its lesser-publicised features. Perhaps because it’s tiny – there’s room for perhaps just 30 or so people at a very tight squeeze, at a handful of small tables and fitted benches running along the outer railings. Nab a space, though, and you’ll enjoy a panoramic vista across the Hillhead rooftops that feels a world away from central Glasgow. With heat lamps and a licence that runs as long as the pub is open, you can even continue your open-air drinking session past dark until closing time.

Once but a bare, unmarked slope of burnt grass at the rear of the pub casually used by drinkers spilling out of the conservatory on hot days, Belgian-themed bar Brel on Ashton Lane has put a lot of work into claiming and upgrading their beer garden in recent years. There are now lots of permanent tables and benches, and a substantial covered area for outdoor drinking and dining even when the weather turns. Plenty of grassy bum space remains on the hillside too, and it’s all well used when temperatures allow – people flock here, students in particular (it’s right by Glasgow uni), to enjoy punchy continental beers in the sun.

In amongst the many high-quality independent shops and eateries on Byers Road, you’ll find the lively Record Factory. Taking inspiration from New York’s underground music bars and institutions, this ‘West End dive bar’ places an emphasis on its musical offerings but with a pretty substantial beer garden, it’s a great location for a chilled drink in the sun too.

One of the only beer gardens in the city centre, Charles Bukowski-homaging bourbon bar and restaurant Chinaski’s alfresco space can be find at the rear side in an enclosed courtyard. It’s small (small is a theme with Glasgow beer gardens, you’ll notice) but perfectly formed – a few covered tables on a wooden balcony as you step out the rear door of the bar, then at the bottom of some steps, a paved space with fitted wooden tables and picnic benches. You don’t get a huge amount of sun, ringed as it is with tall buildings, but it’s well kept and equipped, with lush greenery and heat lamps and a barbecue. You can hire it out for private parties if you feel like gambling on the weather.

Fancy a pint with Billy Connolly? Well, thanks to the Glasgow Beer Works beer garden, this is kind of a possibility. Below John Byrne’s mural of the Big Yin off of Osborne Street, Glasgow Beer Works have set up a pop-up garden, which is spread across large shipping containers with plenty of open space. You can, of course, order Glasgow Beer Works on tap, but the bar also spotlights a range of independent craft producers with beer, cider, wine, spirits and more on offer.

No Bavarian-inspired brewery anywhere in the world would be complete without a sizeable beer garden, and WEST boasts the biggest and best in Glasgow. We’re not talking the 8,000-seater Hirschgarten here or anything – just a modest spread of 20 or so picnic benches and tables. But there’s plenty of grass to pitch up on too, and with open views over Glasgow Green you get lots of direct sunlight (subject to availability). Perfect for sloshing back a few big frothy St Mungo’s of a warm afternoon.

The Barras Art and Design (BAaD) complex is amongst Glasgow's many go-to spots for a day out that combines food, drink and entertainment. With plenty of events on the schedule, including markets and foodie affairs, you’ll always be able to find something to keep you occupied. But the complex also has a cool container bar space which is perfect for a drink out in the sun. And with BAaD’s various permanent and pop-up bars, you won’t have a problem finding your tipple of choice.

The team at Drygate Brewing Co have been making phenomenal beer in Glasgow since 2014 and their industrial East End venue is the place to go if you fancy a sneak peek at the whole craft brewing process. While you’re sitting enjoying a pint of Drygate’s finest, you can nosy in on the viewable working brewery to see how the magic happens. But if the weather’s properly nice, grab a drink on the Peaks Bar and Terrace, which also very helpfully tends to show major sporting and cultural events on giant cinema screens.

Run by the folks behind Williams Bros. Brewing Co., Inn Deep is a relaxed pub that overlooks the River Kelvin. Besides excellent beer, their pub grub menu also includes one of the most highly-rated burgers in town. Inn Deep lay on plenty of outdoor seating, including several fully al-fresco picnic benches overlooking the water, and several covered benches inside the empty archway adjacent, permitting fresh air drinking even on days when Glasgow isn’t dry.

This one’s comfortably the most out-of-the-way pick on our list, situated as it is way out in the wilds of Anniesland, but it’s not quite as challenging to reach as you’d think – especially if you’re a keen walker or cyclist. Lock 27 is a pub and restaurant located, as the name rather suggests, at Lock 27 on the Forth & Clyde Canal. Its parasol-equipped outdoor tables are lined up along the south bank of the canal right on the tow-path, making it a perfect stop-off for a well-deserved tipple on a warm day’s trekking or pedalling along this lengthy swan-populated waterway. Not that we’re advocating drunken cycling or anything (we are).

The place where Glasgow’s art, clubbing and live music scenes meet: Since 2009 SWG3, aka Studio Warehouse (G3 refers to the postcode), and the adjoining Poetry Club have become established as among the most vital independent multifunctional creative spaces in the city. When the sun’s out, the Galvanizers Yard – home to Ronnie’s Bar and Bike Shop – is extremely popular with Glasgow crowds. Head on down for both delicious street food and premium drinks.

As one of Glasgow’s many brilliant live music venues, Saint Luke’s is a solid choice if you’re looking to catch some top-quality music, both local and international. But for a relaxed (or rowdy?) drink out with friends, the venue’s bar, kitchen and beer garden has all the comfort food, intriguing cocktails and craft beer that you could possibly need. And good news: you can even bring your dog!