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The 13 Best Beer Gardens In NYC

By Caroline Grogan and Chandler Presson By Caroline Grogan and Chandler Presson | March 29, 2023 | Food & Drink

iStock-867023528_HIGHRES(PE).jpgThe weather is finally warming, which means it's time to shed our winter coats and head outside for some fresh air and freshly poured pints. Why wait for Oktoberfest when New York is home to some of the best beer gardens year-round?

Whether you're in Brooklyn or the Bronx, these upscale beer gardens offer something for everyone, from craft beer fanatics to those simply looking to unwind in the city.

See also: The 14 Best Rooftop Bars In NYC

Serra by Birreria

200 5th Ave. / 212.937.8910 / Website

Step into Eataly’s year-round rooftop greenhouse and admire the stunning seasonal decor with a rotating menu inspired by the Italian countryside. In the spring and summer, the restaurant and microbrewery is decked out in large, colorful floor-to-ceiling flower arrangements. Blooming wisterias and magnolias preside over the rustic-chic dining area where you can enjoy cocktails infused with seasonal botanicals as well as a beer list inspired by the ongoing floral theme. A selection of Italian IPAs showcase the citrusy notes found in the hop flower, so both your taste buds and your eyes can indulge.

The Jeffrey Craft Beer & Bites

311 E 60th St. / 212.355.2337 / Website

The Jeffrey is a tried and true neighborhood bar nestled cozily on East 60th Street on the Upper East Side. The bar is open every day of the week and features an ever-changing selection of delicious beers, cocktails and foods ranging from brunch items to soup and chili. Their newly-renovated beer garden is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Sip on a can from one of the best local breweries or try a pint from a custom-built draft system with over a dozen taps featuring both international and local brews. Be sure to come during happy hour to indulge in $1 oysters, or stop by on a weekend to enjoy a delicious brunch.

The Bronx Brewery

856 E 136th St., Bronx / 718.402.1000 / Website

Make your way up to the Bronx to visit this unique brewery with a strong sense of community and a large backyard cocooned in colorful wall murals. The Bronx Brewery, with a taproom open seven days a week, serves up craft beer and seltzer served alongside empanadas, burgers and more. Operating out of the South Bronx since 2011, The Bronx Brewery is committed to fostering community, creativity and inclusivity all while serving up the best beers. Stop by for a delicious Sunday brunch, or come by in the evening for live music and drag performances.

Talea Beer Co.

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87 Richardson St., Brooklyn / 347.799.1281 / Website

New in 2021 is Talea Beer Co., New York’s only exclusively women and veteran-owned production brewery and taproom. The founders were both passionate homebrewers before they got together in 2018 with a mission to disrupt the “beer bro” mindset of the male-dominated craft beer industry. With easy-drinking beers that could stand in place of seltzer or rosé, Talea fosters an environment that welcomes everyone from the casual beer drinker to the most avid beer connoisseur. Their beers offer a high-quality taste with low bitterness and fruit-forward flavors, the perfect kind of beverage to enjoy on a hot summer day. The flagship brewery and taproom are open every day by 9AM, making it the perfect space to sip a coffee and get some work done before enjoying a flight of beers with friends.

Strong Rope Brewery

574 President St., Brooklyn / 929.337.8699 / Website

A husband and wife team born and raised in New York State are the masterminds behind Strong Rope Brewery. It operates out of Gowanus, Brooklyn, with additional locations in Red Hook as well as the Adirondacks. With 100% New York hops and malts, Strong Rope is committed to showcasing the best organic ingredients and working with the best beer producers from the Adirondacks to Long Island’s North Fork. Take a seat at one of the microbrewery’s industrial picnic tables, or saddle up to the bar and ask the bartenders to customize a tasting flight of house beers.

Torch & Crown Brewing Company

12 Vandam St. / 212.228.7005 / Website

With locations in the Bronx and Soho, Torch & Crown Brewing Company serves as Manhattan's only production brewery. The bright and airy 9,000-square-foot, multi-level space in Soho is a beer lover’s paradise, complete with outdoor seating, a taproom and restaurant, as well as an underground production facility equipped with custom subterranean fermenters. The brewery’s top sellers include their very own cream ale, and they also offer a wide variety of food, including vegan and gluten-free options. Though the brewery opened in 2018, it has been in the works for much longer. Co-founders Joe Correia and John Dantzler made their first foray into the craft beer scene at age 16 when they attempted to make their own beer after getting their fake IDs swiped at an East Village bar.

Randolph Beer

82 Prospect St., Brooklyn / 347.280.3071 / Website

Randolph Beer’s Dumbo location is a stunning, modern rooftop with expansive views of Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. The gastropub offers an expansive selection of (mostly) American craft beers with whimsical names like “Hopical Storm” and “Side Hustle,” as well as a full menu of shareable food items. Be sure to check out their self-serve beer wall—the first of its kind in Brooklyn. With great views and even better brews, Randolph Beer is sure to become your favorite rooftop stop this summer.

Blue Ribbon Kanpai Garden

190 Allen St. / 212.466.0404 / Website

Blue Ribbon’s rooftop garden inside the Sixty Hotel on the Lower East Side is a beer garden with a Japanese twist. The food menu includes small bites like sushi handrolls as well as full entrees, and it also offers inventive dishes such as cheeseburger tacos. The Kanpai Garden also offers an innovative twist on classic beer selections with frozen beer. Though the drink has been a staple in Thailand and Japan, it is only now becoming popular in the US, with Blue Ribbon owning only one of a handful of specially-designed frozen beer machines in the States. The drink is frothy and icy, taking on the look of soft serve while tasting like an ice cold lager. The must-try frozen drink is served in a dollop on top of a pint of Kirin. Staying true to their beer garden roots, Blue Ribbon also offers a series of games to play while enjoying your drink on the roof.

Threes Brewing

333 Douglas St., Brooklyn / 718.568.9673 / Website

Threes Brewing is a Brooklyn bar and brewery serving up its own draft beers as well as IPAs, Lagers and Mixed Culture beers from other craft breweries. The spot offers indoor and outdoor seating on the sidewalk and in its year-round outdoor yard. Threes Brewing partners with different pop-up eateries throughout the year, offering an ever-changing menu of food to snack on while enjoying some tasty craft beers.

Clinton Hall

16 W. 36th St. / 212.695.0036 / Website

This brightly colored beer garden takes inspiration from the historic Castle Clinton located in Battery Park, which was America’s original beer garden, opened in 1824. Clinton Hall now brings New Yorkers excellent brews through its Supercraft beer program, a constantly changing selection of rare offerings. The food is just as good as the beers, with the award-winning double-smash burger being a favorite amongst locals. Head over to one of the five NYC locations for a guaranteed good time.

The Standard Biergarten

848 Washington St. / 212.645.4100 / Website

The Standard Biergarten brings Munich straight to NYC with its festive beer garden tucked under the trestles of the High Line. With traditional German fare such as sausages and pretzels, a temperature-controlled space for winter weather and plenty of fun games such as ping-pong, there is tons to love about this hotspot. Head over on Wednesdays for competitions for who can hold the stein the longest or on Tuesdays for ping-pong tournaments.

Loreley Beer Garden

7 Rivington St. / 212.253.7077 / Website

12 imported beers with German inspiration on tap, a full liquor bar, elevated bar food and a huge heated outdoor space await at Loreley Beer Garden. The space is modeled after the Brauhaus in Cologne, ensuring guests feel transported from the Lower East Side to Germany. Get ready to enjoy the craft beer and pretzel festival from April 20th through April 30th, and be sure to make reservations to guarantee yourself seats!

Bowery Beer Garden

93 Bowery / 212.343.8111 / Website

Bowery Beer Garden is the obvious choice for those who love a side of sports with their beer. With over 50 TVs, 40 different beers and great happy hour deals, this beer garden is a sports lover’s dream. This spot also draws a fun crowd, so come prepared to make some new friends while you cheer your team on. Be sure to check out the Shinka Pork Gyoza for the perfect accompaniment to your beer.

Grab your friends and head over to one of these beloved NYC beer gardens for a pint or two, great food and even better company. Happy sipping!

Photography by: GETTY IMAGES / ISTOCKPHOTO