Beer gardens might be generally associated with warm, summer nights. But heated pub gardens keep things cosy in winter too, long after the festive decorations have been taken down. Here’s our round up of ten of the best pubs with heated beer gardens across London.
And if “pub garden” sounds a tad too feral, then fear not, we’ve added a few bonus bars with heated rooftop and terrace options.
North London
The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park
The Fullback refers to a Rugby position, but it’s actually an odd mix of sports fans in the main pub with a German drinking hall vibe in the back room. But the jewel in the crown of this Finsbury Park local is the multi-level beer garden. With its winding wooden stairs, walkways and nooks, it looks a bit like the Ewok Village. The pub serves up pretty decent Thai food, if you want some warming food too.
Address: 19 Perth Rd, N4 3HB
The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead
The Spaniards is one of the cosiest places to be on a winter’s day, especially if you’re looking for some post-Heath walk refreshment in Hampstead. Fires keep things warm inside this 16th century pub, but fairy lights and heated covered areas outdoors mean alfresco drinks are on the menu on chilly winter days and nights too.
Address: Spaniards Rd, NW3 7JJ
The Clissold Park Tavern, Stoke Newington
This neighbourhood boozer opposite Clissold Park has a large, fairy lit heated tent in its garden, which keeps things warm and festive. It sort of resembles a festival bar, with plenty of space to sit, eat and drink around the large picnic tables. Food wise, it’s all about Pizza, Italian mains like Aubergine parmigiana and sharing boards, with plenty of veggie and vegan options too.
Address: 177 Green Lanes, Highbury East, N16 9DG
South London
The Duke of Edinburgh, Brixton
The Brixton pub claims to be home to the biggest and best beer garden in South London. You’ll have to judge for yourselves, but judging by its Instagram profile alone, it’s certainly a contender. The space is pretty massive, well covered and filled with heaters, outdoor bars serving up local beers from Brixton Brewery and Five point and food from White Men Can’t Jerk.
Address: 204 Ferndale Rd, SW9 8AG
The Gipsy Moth, Greenwich
Overlooking The Cutty Sark, this Greenwich pub celebrates all things nautical – and while the outdoor space might not be shaped like a shop, it’s still a very cosy port in a storm. It has a covered patio with heaters to keep punters warm and dry throughout the colder months. Food wise, it’s a mix of pub grub faves like bangers and mash with veggie and vegan dishes like chipotle chilli corn falafel, and nourish bowls.
Address: 60 Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich, SE10 9BL
The Magic Garden, Battersea
It’s the most enchantingly-named pub, with a festival-style tent, fairy-lit canvas tent outside. The Magic Garden takes keeping its customer warm and comfy to another level, with blankets and hot water bottles available too. On Sundays the venue hosts “The Cure” free blues gigs, Sunday roasts, board games and Bloody Mary’s.
Address: 231 Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 4LG
Bonus: Bar Elba – rooftop bar
Bar Elba has gotten all wrapped up. With the introduction of our Party Pods, you can now meet up with friends and family for a cosy Scandinavian rooftop igloo experience not to be missed. There’s some winter warming cocktails on the menu, so pleny of reason to drop by Waterloo’s rooftop paradise, Bar Elba, this winter.
Address: Rooftop Mercury House, 109-117 Waterloo Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 8UL
East London
The Crooked Billet, Clapton
This east London pub is comfortably on brand for the neighbourhood – locally sourced cask ales, halloumi fries on the bar snack menu and a ping pong table at the back. But, most importantly, as proclaimed The Crooked Billet’s Insta, it’s an “East London Boozer with a rather large back yard”, and luckily for its patrons, it’s winter-ready with covered booths and patio heaters.
Address: 84 Upper Clapton Rd, E5 9JP
The People’s Park Tavern, Victoria Park
This Hackney pub of the people has one of the biggest pub gardens in London, right in the heart of Vicky Park, surrounded by greenery. The garden vibe is kind of outside-in with the area transformed into the covered Greenhaus during the winter months for maximum protection from the elements. The pub also has its own onsite brewery, pop up cocktail bar, BBQ kitchen (Mon-Sat) and roasts on Sunday, with some decent small plates too including honey drizzled burrata and crispy falafel balls with aioli.
Address: 360 Victoria Park Road, E9 7BT
Bonus: Skylight London – rooftop bar
Skylight, one of London’s favourite rooftop venues, has skyline-facing igloo-shaped pods & 4 booths to keep you warm whilst you enjoy panoramic views across the city’s skylineon.
Also one of the city’s biggest winter destinations there’s a variety of festive eating and drinking experiences situated on the rooftop venue and at ground level across the Grade-1 listed warehouses and cobbled lanes of Tobacco Dock.
Address: Tobacco Dock, Pennington St entrance, St Katharine’s & Wapping, London E1W 2SF, UK
West London
The Prince Albert, Notting Hill
Home to The Gate Theatre upstairs, this Notting Hill pub is a great, cosy spot to visit after a wander around Kensington Gardens or a mooch in the markets at Portobello Road. The beer garden is more of an urban yard, with colourful wall art and covered areas with large picnic tables, and of course heat lamps for the winter. Food wise, it’s a mix of fairly classic pub fayre courtesy of The Marvellous Pub Grub Co.fish and chips and pies, veggie and vegan fast-food from Veg Heads as well as burgers and chicken wings.
Address: 11 Pembridge Road, Notting Hill, London, Greater London, W11 3HQ
The Windsor Castle, Kensington
The Grade II listed pub sitting between Notting Hill and Holland Park,and tucked down a quiet street is a hidden gem. Inside, this refurbished 19th Century pub has beautifully preserved Victorian features with some modern touches. Outside, its patio isn’t the biggest of the bunch – but there are plenty of covered tables with soft lighting and warm heaters. The pub also has plenty of hearty pub food and a good selection of craft beers and cask ales.
Address: 114 Campden Hill Road, Kensington, London, W8 7AR
Bonus: Covent Garden – al fresco terraces
Finally Covent Garden is worthy of an honourable mention, with many restaurants and bars offering heated al fresco terraces including: SUSHISAMBA, VyTA, Laduree, Petersham Nurseries’ La Goccia, Buns & Buns, Le Pain Quotidien, The Ivy Market Grill, Shake Shack, Aubain and Tuttons.
