The beer garden is one of those delightful old world institutions we in the U.S. are fortunate enough to have inherited. If you enjoy drinking and the outdoors, then you will most certainly love these fantastic beer gardens!
1. Garden District - Washington D.C
Is the United States' capitol city also its beer mecca? Garden District, formerly known as The Standard, offers some pretty convincing claims to its #1 Beer Garden in the United States title. Conveniently located on 14th street, its shaded garden offers patrons shelter from the D.C. heat along with delicious beer, filling sandwiches, fan favorite sides like hush puppies and fries, and even a variety of old school sodas for those avoiding booze.
2. The Biergarten at The Standard - New York City
Located under the Manhattan Highline in the Standard Hotel, this beer oasis includes two bars, three ping pong tables, and numerous picnic tables. Soak up your suds with authentic German fare such as bratwurst and pretzels. Can't wait to plan your visit? No need to worry about the specifics of timing your visit with spring and summer, as the garden is open year round. Its open space allows you to enjoy the warm air in the summer months and its enclosed heated space allows you to drink and be merry comfortably on cold New York City days.
3. Easy Tiger - Austin, TX
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If you’ve ever wanted a blend of Venice and Berlin without leaving the United States, look no further than Easy Tiger in Austin. Situated along a canal, this beer bistro offers Germanic staples such as beef, sausage, and pretzels as well as a mouth-watering selection of cheeses and baked goods that pair beautifully with their myriad of craft beers.
4. Bayou Beer Garden - New Orleans, LA
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Want some southern comfort but not a fan of bourbon? Bayou Beer Garden is the perfect place to gulp down a beer or cocktail al fresco in New Orleans. Small tables offer intimacy while umbrellas bring a reprieve from the sun while day drinking. If you arrive with an appetite, you're in luck! Their menu offers an array of crowd-pleasing favorites as well as some over-the-top dishes, like the 'Disco Fries', which are served covered in cheese, roast beef, and gravy. Whoa.
5. Sheffield’s - Chicago, IL
Image Credit: Will Byington Photography c/o sheffieldschicago.com
Breeze on in to the Windy City’s best beer joint: Sheffield’s. Offering forty craft brews on tap and an equally impressive assortment of European bottled beers, Sheffield's is the place to be for beer connoisseurs. With a creative menu that includes familiar favorites turned up a notch, like the 'smothered nachos', which boast IPA Queso and Jack Daniels BBQ sauce, a variety of hearty sandwiches, and satisfying salads, you'll want to come hungry!
6. The Red Lion Tavern - Los Angeles, CA
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California may be in a drought but the top shelf German beer never stops running at this Los Angeles tavern. Although The Red Lion Tavern was established as an "Olde English" pub, it's embraced its German theme for over 50 years now. With a menu that includes fried pickles, bratwurst, and German hot dogs, patrons can experience a slice of Germany without having to leave sunny So Cal. Wunderbar!
7. Hofbrau Beer Hall - Miami Beach, FL
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Inspired by Munich's 400-year-old Hofbräuhaus, Miami's Hofbrau Beer Hall aims to offer its visitors an authentic German beer garden experience. So when you've had enough beach time and need to find a way to cool off, head over to Hofbrau and enjoy a cold German beer, made from recipes handed down by the Duke of Bavaria! As expected, this German gem offers a full menu of classic German food.
8. Stone Brewing World Bistro - San Diego, CA
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Stone Brewing features an impressive 40 craft beers on tap and a lengthy bottle list of more than 100 craft beers. Does it get better than that? Their sprawling San Diego spot includes indoor and outdoor dining and bars, a bocce court and outdoor cinema, making it the perfect destination for a fun evening with friends, while the Escondido location's architecturally stunning space, which boasts indoor and outdoor dining as well as a beautiful garden, make it the perfect destination for a memorable meal or special event.
If you plan to be in San Diego for a few days, make sure to check out these awesome bars!
9. Zeitgeist - San Francisco, CA
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Beer drinkers gather around Zeitgeist's weathered picnic tables to enjoy the bar's great selection of beer, which includes almost 50 on tap! If beer isn't your drink of choice, opt for their Blood Mary, which was voted the best in San Francisco. Although there are tons of restaurants at your finger tips in The Mission where it's located, Zeitgeist serves up burgers, brats, and grilled cheese.
10. Lowry Beer Garden - Denver, CO
Image Credit: lowrybeergarden.com
Tucked away in the Rockies at a converted hangar is one of the country's finest beer gardens: Lowry Beer Garden. With an abundance of covered communal tables, guests can enjoy great craft beer with friends here rain or shine. Open every day, weather depending in the winter, this charming spot is the perfect spot to grab a meal and/ or drinks with friends. Don't miss their great happy hour deals daily and Tuesday night Trivia.
This article was written by Nic Shipley and edited by Tripping.com Content Specialist, Lexi Perman.