Summer is finally here, and now that the weather is getting hotter, the beer gardens are overflowing.

With temperatures hitting on the rise in Leeds, we’re not complaining about the impulsive need to spend our evenings in the beer garden, rather we’re ready to test out each and every spot to find the perfect pub in time for summer.

From new openings to firm favourites, here are ten of the best beer gardens for sunny days in Leeds…

Green Room

Local breweries, delicious food and North Star coffee served on a huge rooftop bar- this rooftop that opened last year really has brought everything we love about our city and placed it on a giant rooftop terrace bar.

Serving up some of the biggest food and drink names in the city on a huge sun-trapped rooftop, Green Room is the beautiful city space with everything you need to celebrate the summer season.

Expect barbecues, live DJs and eclectic seating options where guests can unwind with a pint from a local independent brewery in one hand and a delectable choice of plant-based street food in the other, all whilst getting a tan in the summer heat.

Whitelock’s Ale House

Leeds’ oldest pub, Whitelock’s Ale House, is located in Turk’s Head Yard and it is a great spot for a drink in the sunshine. With heaters and fairy lights to ease you into the night, you can stay here for hours and make your way through their impressive selection of local beers.

Or why not pop next door to sister bar The Turk’s Head where you grab an Aperol Spritz, cold glass of wine or favourite cocktail.

Waterlane Boat House

Waterlane Boat House is filling up by 4pm as city workers rush off to secure a seat for post-work tipple in the sunshine, so if you want to grab a table here, you’ll need to leave work early.

Serving ice cold fruit ciders with a fresh view of the Leeds Liverpool canal, this old boathouse gleams in golden hour, bringing the sunlight to their indoor seats, ensuring that no matter where abouts on the premises you’re sitting, you’re guaranteed beautiful golden hour lighting.

Belgrave Music Hall

A classic spot, but there’s good reason for Belgrave’s unparalleled popularity. The rooftop terrace offers plenty of spaces for large groups around painted picnic benches, parasols and pergolas cover the immediate sunlight so that basking in the heat is manageable without having to keep your sunnies on all afternoon.

Plus you can grab pizza by the slice from resident kitchen Dough Boys on evenings when it’s too warm to cook and you fancy a taste of something homemade without the pricetag.

Read More: The best dog friendly bars and cafes in and around Leeds

Springwell

Located just outside the centre of the city in Sheepscar, North Brew’s bar hosts a huge outdoor seating area with row-upon-row of seating in the sunlight. Little Bao Boy and Kerbside Kids are on hand in shipping container kitchens to quench your appetite whilst North Brew taps have endless draught selections.

Conveniently all the foodie options are located outside, whilst the indoor seats are hidden from the sunshine and keeping those draught pints at a cool temperature.

Nation of Shopkeepers

Nation of Shopkeepers’ beer garden is one of the worst kept secrets in Leeds, but given it’s a full courtyard’s worth of outdoor drinking space right in the heart of the city, it’s not exactly a surprise that everyone loves drinking here.

Serving up food and drink into the early hours basking in the sun trap or sheltering from a midday shower under the umbrella and pergola, this is an ideal day drinking spot for all weather in Leeds.

Original Oak

The Original Oak in Headingley is a favourite for all ages, but if you’re a student looking for some sports action, you’ll feel quite at home at this Otley Run stop.

You can catch the latest Leeds United games throughout the rest of the season in the sunlight as the pub shows all the sports on their huge outdoor TV screen and you can bet that there will be plenty of space for you to join the crowd.

Headrow House

Just like Belgrave, Headrow House has a rooftop beer garden that offers panoramic city views. Picture the sky transitioning from a pastel blue to deep tones of amber and violet whilst you sip on cocktails.

The beer garden is decked out with greenery between the picnic benches and truly does offer an intimate hiding place from the city centre down below.

Chow Down

See more

The Temple Arches venue is perfect for soaking up the summer sun, Chow Down’s vast space makes it ‘the largest garden in the city centre’.

With a jam-packed events calendar lasting all summer long, you’ll always have fun at Chow Down whether you’re attending their iconic Drag Brunch or fancy a bite to eat from one of their street food vendors on a sunny Saturday.

Gusto Italian Outdoor Terrace

Located in the heart of the city on Greek Street, Gusto Italian is a firm favourite for a night filled with delicious Italian food in a beautiful setting.

Their new summer terrace opened its doors in June and has been a smash hit ever since. The spacious patio is filled with comfortable blue and white furnishings, flourishing greenery and is the perfect sun trap to enjoy a drink or two.

With Gusto supplying crispy Italian sourdough pizzas, spring-fresh salads and silky smooth pasta; the food will transport you to the cobbled streets of Rome in a heartbeat. For drinks, Grey Goose are providing the best Summer spritzes to quench your thirst in the sunshine, making the already Insta-worthy Greek Street venue the hottest spot in Leeds this Summer.

Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds