London nightlife may be back, but for better or worse she's a changed beast. Doing away with sultry basements and cosy clubs, the city's venues are turning their focus to the great outdoors, building beer gardens in the blink of an eye, and teething out gorgeous terraces in a matter of weeks. With alfresco season well and truly upon us, we thought we'd give you the rundown of the best new outdoor openings in London this summer, so you know where to head for fresh air and even fresher pints.
Vauxhall Food & Beer Garden
One of South London's most popular drinking spots this summer, Vauxhall's Food & Beer Garden is bringing you a season of bottomless brunches and laid-back day sessions. Head down to South Lambeth Place and you'll find a wonderland of green palms and pallett seating, alongside an incredible programme of drag picnics, boozy comedy and quiz brunches.
Bottomless comedy and drag picnics are the order of the day of this Vauxhall beer garden.
Love Pub + Grub
A new pop-up for London this summer, Love Pub + Grub is taking over Wapping's Site 5 to bring you an amazing selection of daytime and early evening parties featuring some of the biggest DJs and collectives in the biz. Don't let the big beats throw you off though, as Love Pub will be keeping things sanitised and socially distant on the dancefloor as well as at their bars and street food hubs.
Get ready for daytime antics as this Wapping pop-up brings DJs and dancefloor vibes.
Brixton Courtyard
One of Brixton's most popular party spots all year round, Jamm is turning their sprawling outdoor space into the ultimate summer hangout. They'll be bringing in some serious DJ talents throughout the season, with sets from Sherelle, Horse Meat Disco and Ross From Friends, alongside a slick line-up of craft beers, cocktails and some incredible food for you to get stuck into.
South London's favourite courtyard hangout gets a socially distant makeover this summer.
Truman's Social Club
Aiming to create a social hub for the local community, this Blackhorse Lane beer garden is set to be one of the hotspots of the season. Comprised of an on-site brewery, outdoor space, food market, taproom and even a stage area for live entertainment, it's the perfect spot to gather the gang together for some socially distant sessions this summer.
A community hub with an on-site brewery? Truman's Social Club is a beer-lover's dream.
The Regent Secret Garden
Looking to seek out something a little more off the beaten track? Head over to Balham's beloved boozer, The Regent, where they're transforming their outdoor area into a charming secret garden this summer. Slip through an actual wardrobe and find yourself in a summertime paradise, packed-out with festival-inspired decor, picnic benches and Pimm's and pint-sipping locals.
Pub Tropicana returns to Greenwich with more grub and great drinks to enjoy.
Trinity Riverside Bar
A new drinking and dining destination located in Poplar, Trinity Riverside Bar is bringing alfresco antics down to Docklands every weekend this summer. Alongside a stunning waterside terrace with views over the O2 Arena, you'll find a well-stocked bar offering up fresh pints and summer-ready cocktails, as well as a pop-up restaurant boasting BBQ bites and fresh seafood.
Docklands' new riverside drinking destination also hosts a delicious dining pop-up.
StreetEat Wimbledon
Taking up a lakeside plot in South West London's prettiest park, StreetEat is the latest offering from the Underbelly Festival team. Turning their attentions from international cabaret to quality street food, this seasonal pop-up is promising a wealth of delicious plates from their vendors, as well as cold Pimm's and plenty of free live entertainment to boot.
Get ready for lakeside sips and amazing food vendors as StreetEat comes to Wimbledon Park.
Costa Del Tottenham
Head over to The Cause this summer where North London's favourite warehouse space is bringing a taste of the tropics to Tottenham for another year. The socially distant suntrap offers an impressive complex for you to explore, including a craft beer hall, dedicated rum bar and loads of delicious food vendors to check out. They'll also have a hefty events schedule featuring drag brunches and DJ nights.
Beer, rum and racy drag events are taking over the Costa Del Tottenham this year.
The Terrace
Ally Pally is doing London a massive favour this summer as it transforms a section of its huge gardens into a dedicated drinking and dining terrace. If you like your food and booze served with a side of sprawling city views, then you'll want to head over to this iconic North London venue where they've created London's largest beer garden so you can soak up the rays with plenty of space.
Explore London's biggest beer garden as Ally Pally's terrace gets a boozy transformation.
Nine Lives Alley
If you're looking for a little extra luxe in your outdoor drinking spaces, then this London Bridge hideaway might be just the thing. A side street pop-up from award-winning cocktail bar Nine Lives, you'll find a heady set-up of Mexican-inspired treats, from vibrant cocktails bringing you the taste of more sun-kissed climes, to a mouthwatering food selection courtesy of taco titan El Tigre.
Who needs a holiday when Nine Lives are bringing Mexican heat to this London Bridge back alley.
Looking for more open air inspiration? Check our guide for things to do outdoors in London.
