Bristol's best beer gardens for summer sipping - according to TripAdvisor

From cosy courtyards to sprawling green gardens - Bristol's pubs have it all

With spring here and summer right around the corner, there are bound to be some sunny days ahead - and when the weather is shining in Bristol, the search for the perfect beer garden begins.

Whether you’re looking for a small, cosy courtyard, or a large patio with plenty of space for all your friends, the city has something for everyone.

We’ve put together a list of the best beer gardens in Bristol, according to TripAdvisor’s ratings and reviews. The guide features cocktails, local ciders and real ales - and covers the quaint to the quirky.

Ricks

Ricks is based along Bristol Harbourside and describes itself as “showcasing the sounds, flavours, and spirit of a vibrant and exciting city”. The cocktail bar offers expertly crafted signature drinks and has indoor seating as well as an outdoor area for patrons to sit and relax.

The bar has a 4.8 out of 5 star rating on TripAdvisor, and guests have praised the ambience, drinks, and garden area.

One wrote: “They have such a cute outdoor areas with lovely wicker seating with padded cushions and heaters.”

Another said: “Lovely location and even better with outdoor heating, very cute with the lighting too.”

A third commented: “The terrace is really nice and cozy, even though it was freezing outside, with all the heaters and blankets you feel nice and toastie.”

Address: Prince Street, Bristol, BS1 4QF

The Coach and Horses

The Coach and Horses in Clifton promises an “excellent food offering” and a wide variety of drinks including lagers, real ales, local ciders, cocktails, and wines.

It is now a family-run pub and aims to bring “a new lease of life by connecting with the local community”. It is dog-friendly, with a cosy indoor seating area and a “lovely outdoor terrace with blooming flower pots”.

With 4.6 stars out of 5 on TripAdvisor, visitors liked the refurbished decor, cheery atmosphere and - most of all - the Sunday roast.

Discussing the garden out the front, one visitor wrote: “We ate out front in the beer garden area as it was a lovely early spring day which made the experience even more enjoyable.”

Another said the garden was another “added advantage” to the pub.

Address: The Coach and Horses, Highland Square, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2YB Bristol, United Kingdom

The Alma

The Alma in Clifton offers food and drinks - but is effortlessly unique thanks to its intimate 50-seat cinema theatre upstairs where there are performances help about 48 weeks of the year.

The kitchen serves classic pub grub, a selection of seasonal specials, and stone-baked pizzas, and the pub says it has “a tipple for all palates, all times of the day”.

The Alma has 4.5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor and patrons highlighted the relaxed atmosphere, brilliant staff, and delicious food on offer.

Discussing the garden, one customer said: “Bar had a good ambience and a nice little 'secret' garden out back that caught the evening sun.”

Address: Alma Tavern & Theatre, 18-20 Alma Vale Road

Steam

Located at Clifton Down Station, Steam is a large, quirky venue offering one of the biggest covered and heated terraces in the city.

Offering food and drink, the bar has three stretch tents, moon tables, and two party buses - making it a popular venue for events. It has a quiz night, bottomless brunches, and student discounts, as well as a wide selection of beers and ciders - including from its own Home of the Brew range.

With 4.4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor, Steam’s customers have praised its electric atmosphere, well-stocked bar, and brilliant bottomless brunch.

They particularly enjoyed the covered outdoor area which is “lovely in the summer” and provides a “relaxed vibe”. The garden was also described in reviews as a “real suntrap”, and one visitor wrote that there was a “great atmosphere, whether you choose to sit inside or outside”.

Address: Clifton Down Station, Bristol, BS8 2PN

The Hobgoblin

The Hobgoblin sits at the heart of Gloucester Road and describes itself as having a reputation for “simple but high quality comfort food”. The independent, family-run pub offers a range of craft beers, fine wines, artisan gins, and traditional ciders.

On TripAdvisor it has 4.4 stars out of 5, with customers citing the food, “fantastic staff” and quick service as highlights. One said of the outdoor seating area: “Great little beer garden out the back which is a real sun trap.”

Another reviewer wrote: “Absolutely love this place - staff are friendly and welcoming, food is great, good choice of drinks and, as a bonus, great sun trap in the garden for the summer!”

Address: 69-71 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8AS

The Lansdown

The Lansdown, nestled on a quiet corner in the heart of Clifton, promises a “unique pub experience that combines tradition with modern comforts”.

Food on offer includes simple pub grub from fish and chips to burgers and vegetarian options - and there is a choice of 14 taps, including hand-picked local beers. Known for its love of rugby, the Lansdown uses an outdoor projector to screen matches in the dog-friendly garden.

The pub has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, and TripAdvisor reviewers praised the garden experience and the Sunday roasts. One said it was “more like being in a friend’s garden than a pub”, while another commented on the “pleasant beer garden with a partly covered area”.

Address: The Lansdown, 8 Clifton Road, Bristol, BS8 1AF

The Mall

Also in Clifton is The Mall - which describes itself as "discreetly stylish yet laid-back and snug”, promises “fresh and flavoursome home-cooked food, an encyclopaedic drinks menu, and the warmest of welcomes”.

The Mall won a 2024 Traveller’s Choice award and has 4.1 stars out of 5. Speaking about the “beautiful” beer garden, one customer said: “The secret garden is beautiful, especially at night with the candles!” Another wrote: “I came here with my three friends and I loved the gorgeous beer garden.”

Address: 66 The Mall, Bristol, BS8 4JG

The Cambridge Arms

The Cambridge Arms in Redland is a Fuller's pub that offers craft lagers, seasonal ales, ciders, spirits, and wines. It states that the kitchen "doesn't do boring" as every dish is "lovingly homemade or freshly prepared, packed with scrumptious flavours and devilishly good ingredients" - and there is an ever-changing specials board, too.

The dog-friendly pub also offers a quiz, a real fire, a large garden, a selection of board games, alcohol-free options, and nearby free parking.

With 4.1 out of 5 stars, TripAdvisor reviewers said they loved the food, friendly staff, and buzzing atmosphere. One customer praised the "great interior and massive garden", while another said it was "arguably the best beer garden in Bristol".

Address: The Cambridge Arms, Coldharbour Road, Redland, Bristol, Bristol, BS6