Melbourne’s best beer gardens

Sunny days and balmy evenings and are best spent outdoors – cold bevy in hand, friends in tow. The ideal destination for such a scenario: Melbourne’s finest beer gardens. Here are some of the best places to enjoy a crafty pint in the sun.

Le Bon TonThis cool, intimate New Orleans style pub has a fantastic southern menu that can enjoyed in the gorgeous astroturfed beer garden that opens up behind the restaurant. The fairy lights strung across the courtyard add to the charm of this relaxing, leafy area where guests can enjoy an ale with a side of cheesy fries. 51 Gipps St, Collingwood. Tel: +61 3 9416 4341

The StandardVery much a locals hangout, this eclectic venue has a number of cosy rooms that visitors wind their way through in order to make their way to the big, leaf and vine covered beer garden out the back. An ideal place to soak up the sun in a relaxed atmosphere with a beer, great pub food and live gigs on a lazy Sunday afternoon. 293 Fitzroy St, Fitzroy. Tel: +61 3 9419 4793

Welcome to ThornburyOne of the most innovative beer gardens of the city that has space for at least four food trucks to set up shop, bicycle racks for over 100 sets of wheels, an indoor bar, and a lovely decked space that has transformed a former used-car yard into a friendly, welcoming oasis. 520 High St, Northcote. Tel: +61 3 9020 7940

Wesley AnneThis warm, cosy pub that was once an old church is now a relaxing neighbourhood hideaway, with gigs on most nights, a great menu and a friendly shabby-chic beer garden with an open fire for the colder nights. 250 High St, Northcote.  Tel: +61 3 9482 1333

TrunkA surprising leafy find in the centre of the city, this is surely one of the coolest beer gardens in town. Visitors can order from the amazing Italian menu (the pizzas are a must), get a drink from inside the warehouse style venue and enjoy it in blue skies, watching the city slickers go about their day. 275 Exhibition St, Melbourne. Tel: +61 3 9663 7994

Dr MorseAn impressively designed interior of exposed brick and concrete, this venue is surprisingly a little off the radar, offering a great selection of local drinks and a large, vibrant beer garden to enjoy them in the sun – with DJs spinning tracks most weekends. 274 Johnston St, Abbotsford. Tel: +61 3 9416 1005

Windsor CastleA block back from the retail buzz of Chapel Street, this brightly colored pub is renown for its fun and friendly atmosphere. Passing through the kitch interior to the outside area, the bamboo fencing, palm trees and leafy foliage provide dappled shade for patrons enjoying drinks from the outdoor bar as they soak in the summer vibes. 89 Albert St, Prahran. Tel: +61 3 9521 1867

HowlerThe latest addition to the area’s budding food and drink scene, the warehouse space brings the outdoors in with half the roof removed creating the outdoor beer garden. Features including sculpted tree trunks as long seat benches and a hanging garden with glowing light cubes make for a perfect outdoor session. 7-11 Dawson St, Brunswick. Tel: +61 3 9077 5572

Boatbuilders YardOverlooking the Yarra River, this wonderful pub and bar has an expansive, maze-like outdoor decking area inspired by the relaxed and informal European-style of eating and drinking. A great place to celebrate summer on the river with the city skyline providing an impressive the backdrop. 23 S Wharf Promenade, South Wharf. Tel: +61 3 9686 5088

Yarra HotelThis Hotel dates back to 1855 and maintains some fine 19th century details. The sheltered outdoor beer garden has an impressive open fireplace, ideal for either warm or chilly nights. 295 Johnston St, Abbotsford. Tel: +61 3 9417 0005

Great Northern HotelThis classic suburban corner pub offers one of the city’s best list of craft beers with more than a dozen different breweries on tap. The expansive beer garden is popular for Sunday sessions and the pub fare is classic and hearty. 644 Rathdowne St, Carlton North. Tel: +61 3 9380 9569

Royal SaxonA large Jackson Bay fig tree is the centerpiece of the indoor/outdoor architecturally designed award-winning space by Melbourne’s Six Degrees team (Boatbuilders Yard, Riverland, Newmarket Hotel). The inner courtyard is surrounded by a glass mezzanine and is a popular place for relaxing and grazing in the sun during the week, and socializing with the high brow locals on weekends. 545 Church St, Richmond. Tel: +61 3 9429 5277