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Europe

Beer Garden entertainment in Europe

  1. A

    Riegrovy Sady Beer Garden

    There’s a good-natured rivalry between this beer garden and the one across the river at Letná as to which one is best. We're not sure, but this one is pretty good. Order beers at the bar and carry them to your table. To find it, go to Polská, turn up Chopínova, and enter the park across from Na Švíhance.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Letná Beer Garden

    No accounting of watering holes in the neighbourhood would be complete without a nod toward the city’s best beer garden, situated at the eastern end of the Letná Gardens. Buy a takeaway beer from a small kiosk and grab a picnic table, or sit on a small terrace where you can order beer-by-the-glass and decent pizza. From the tram stop it is a five- or 10-minute walk south.

    reviewed

  3. Andorfer Weissbräu

    High on a hill 1.5km north of the Altstadt, this rural beer garden attached to the Andorfer brewery serves filling Bavarian favourites, but the star of the show is the outstanding Weizen and Weizenbock ales brewed metres away. Take bus 7 from the ZOB to Ries-Rennweg.

    reviewed

  4. C

    Chinesischer Turm

    This one's hard to ignore because of its English Garden location and pedigree as Munich's oldest beer garden (since 1791). Camera-toting tourists and laid-back locals, picnicking families and businessmen sneaking a sly brew clomp around the wooden pagoda, showered by the strained sounds of possibly the world's drunkest oompah band.

    reviewed

  5. D

    Spitalgarten

    A veritable thicket of folding chairs and slatted tables by the Danube, this is one of the best places in town for some alfresco quaffing. It claims to have brewed beer (today’s Spital) here since 1350, so it probably knows what it’s doing by now.

    reviewed

  6. E

    Augustiner

    This popular fairy-lit beer garden and restaurant is ideally located in the heart of the city. Leave your beer-glass ring and pack away some gorgeous grub in the sprawling garden or cavernous interior.

    reviewed

  7. F

    Augustiner Keller

    Every year this leafy 5000-seat beer garden, about 500m west of the Hauptbahnhof, buzzes with fairy-lit thirst-quenching activity from the first sign that spring may have gesprungen. The ancient chestnuts are thick enough to seek refuge under when it rains, or else lug your mug to the actual beer cellar. Small playground.

    reviewed

  8. G

    Hirschgarten

    The Everest of Munich beer gardens can accommodate up to 8000 Augustiner lovers, but still manages to feel airy and uncluttered. It's in a lovely spot in a former royal hunting preserve and rubs up against a deer enclosure and a carousel. Steer here after visiting Schloss Nymphenburg – it's only a short walk south of the palace.

    reviewed

  9. H

    Prater

    Berlin’s oldest beer garden (since 1837) has kept much of its traditional charm and is a fantastic place to hang and guzzle a cold one beneath the ancient chestnut trees (self-service). Kids can romp around the small play area. In foul weather or winter, the adjacent woodsy restaurant is a fine place to sample classic Berlin dishes (mains €8 to €19).

    reviewed

  10. I

    Freischwimmer

    In summertime, few places are more idyllic than this rustic 1930s boathouse turned canal-side chill zone. The menu draws inspiration from all corners of the world. Also a great spot for Sunday brunch and late-night warm-up drinks before hitting the area's clubs.

    reviewed

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  12. J

    Biergarten im Schlossgarten

    Toast summer with beer and pretzels at Stuttgart’s best-loved, 2000-seat beer garden in the green heart of the Schlossgarten. Regular live music gets steins a-swinging.

    reviewed

  13. K

    Fährgarten Johannstadt

    This idyllic riverfront beer garden pulls great ales and does a mean barbecue.

    reviewed

  14. L

    Hirschau

    This monster beer garden accommodates 1700 drinkers and puts on live jazz almost daily in summer. Dispatch the kids to the playground and adjacent minigolf course while you indulge in some tankard caressing.

    reviewed

  15. M

    Seehaus

    Situated on the shores of the English Park's Kleinhesseloher See, the Seehaus is a family-friendly beer garden with attached folksy restaurant.

    reviewed

  16. N

    Braunauer Hof

    Near the Isartor, this pleasingly twisted beer garden is centred on a snug courtyard. There's a hedge maze, a fresco with a bizarre bunch of historical figures and a golden bull that's illuminated at night.

    reviewed

  17. O

    Thing

    Augsburg's coolest beer garden sports totem poles and often gets crowded in the evenings.

    reviewed

  18. P

    Waterloo

    Hanover’s most popular beer garden has a lovely stand of trees, low prices and a large screen that shows German League football (soccer) matches, and always the Hannover 96 game.

    reviewed

  19. Stadtgarten Biergarten

    Here's a Bonn drinking game: every time a barge passes below this beer garden with views of the Rhine, have a drink. You won't last an hour. Bonn's Stadtgarten is a little leafy gem next to the Altstadt with an old bastion overlooking the river. The beer and sausages here are standard but the surroundings are anything but.

    reviewed

  20. Q

    Louisengarten

    This boho-flavoured beer garden takes the go local concept to the limit. Wind down the day with beer (Lenin's Hanf, aka Lenin's Hemp) supplied by the nearby Neustädter Hausbrauerei and grilled meats courtesy of the butcher down the street.

    reviewed

  21. R

    Hausbrauerei Feierling

    This stream-side beer garden is a relaxed spot to quaff a cold one under the chestnut trees in summer. Pretzels and sausages (snacks €3 to €7) soak up the malty brews.

    reviewed

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  23. S

    Greiffenegg-Schlössle

    All of Freiburg is at your feet from this chestnut-shaded beer garden atop Schlossberg. Perfect sunset spot.

    reviewed

  24. T

    Biergarten Rathenauplatz

    A large, leafy park is the site of one of Cologne's best places for a drink: a community-run beer garden. Tables sprawl under huge, old trees next to a playground. From a tidy and distinctive serving hut, you are offered a range of simple snacks such as salads and some very good frikadelle (spiced hamburger). Prices are dirt cheap, even for the various beers brewed just up the street at Hellers Brewery – try the organic lager. Proceeds help maintain the park.

    reviewed

  25. U

    Stiegelbräu zum Klosterhof

    Pass on the mediocre food and go straight for the freshly tapped Stiegl beer at the cavernous Klosterhof. The chestnut tree–shaded beer garden has space for 1500 thirsty punters.

    reviewed

  26. Schwärzlocher Hof

    Scenically perched above the Ammer Valley, a 20-minute trudge west of town, this creaking farmhouse is famous for its beer garden and home-pressed Most (cider). Kids love the resident horses, rabbits and peacocks.

    reviewed