Summer sipping: The beer gardens of Southport town centre

A guide to just a few of the best outside seating areas for drinks in the sunshine.

Let’s face it; Southport is the place to be when the sun is shining.

Those precious days each year are few are far between. Best then that we make the most of it!

There’s an endless list of things to do and places to explore during the Southport summertime, but occasionally it’s time to rock back with a pint or a Piña colada and soak up the rays.

Pack your sun cream and join us on a tour of some of the best beer gardens in Southport.

This our list of some of best outside seating areas in Southport where you can enjoy a drink (or two) with friends.

Sacrebleu and Le Grog

A warm welcome is guaranteed at Sacre Bleu, which is well known as one of Southport’s friendliest bars.

Next door, the small but specialized Le Grog offers something a little different, with a dedicated range of rum and ciders.

The Seabank Road sun terrace, shared by both bars, is perfectly positioned underneath ornate verandas.  On any particularly pleasant day, you can hear the constant moving of chairs as patrons maintain their position in the sunlight.

Top Tip : Head to The Auberge next door for a sublime weekday lunch, before enjoying a few al fresco drinks at Sacre.

The Windmill

There are not many prettier beer gardens than this in Southport.

The Windmill is renowned for their friendly atmosphere and diverse line-up of events.  The award-winning pub champions diversity and accessibility, and was voted Most Inclusive Local Pub Award in the Liverpool Region in 2021.

Beautiful floral displays decorate every inch of the outside area of The Windmill, where you will usually find the bench tables busy with pints of real ale and plates of pub grub.  Get their early on a warm day to guarantee your seat.

The Lakeside Inn

Good things come in small packages.

The outside area at The Lakeside has some of the most spectacular views in town.  Sit back, drink in hand, and watch over the boats and birds on the Marine Lake.

On summer evenings, enjoying a few real ales with friends as the sun sets over the coast is an absolute must.

Top Tip : It’s also a prime spot to watch Southport Air Show, when the pub extends its footprint to facilitate the crowds.

The Grand, Lord Street Hotel, and Punch Tarmey’s

Three venues.  One giant beer garden.

In recent years, the Northern Quarter in Southport has blossomed into a hive of social activity.  It takes a matter of minutes to hop between Mavericks, Sacre Bleu, Sinclair’s, House of Ivy, and many more.

Central to the action are The Grand, Lost Street Hotel and Punch Tarmey’s, which share a beautiful outside space set back off Lord Street.  There’s ample seating available, as well as umbrellas for the shade seekers amongst us.

For the full experience, head there on a sunny Saturday afternoon when the bars are their busiest.

Visit Lord Street Hotel

The Carlton

One of Southport's most iconic venues also has one of Southport's best outside seating areas.

The Carlton has been a hugely popular nightspot during since the 80's.  Their beer garden features art, furniture, artificial turf, and festoon lighting. Our favourite feature is a towering giraffe sculpture, adding a unique charm to the venue.

It's a top spot for a relaxing daytime drink, but the busy twilight hours are when The Carlton becomes the place to be.

Visit The Carlton

The Guest House

Is this the hidden gem of Southport beer gardens?

The Guest House is one of the first stops for any real ale enthusiast in Southport.  The multiple CAMRA Pub of Year winning venue has an ever-changing range of cask beers to suit everyone.

As much as it’s always a pleasure to sit inside The Guesty and scratch that traditional pub itch, their outside area is not to be missed on a sunny day.  A hidden oasis situated at the rear of the pub, nestled between adjacent buildings.

The Northern Quarter and Lord Street

On balmy days of summer, Southport's mile long boulevard is packed full of locals and visitors enjoying casual drinks in the sun.

You'll find busy pavement seating stretching out across the street, with shade-seekers enjoying a drink under the town's famous verandas.

You might struggle for a spec in the Northern Quarter, but The Bold Hotel, Ra Bar, Sinclair's or Gingers should hopefully have you covered.  If not, George's Place, Corridor, or the venues on Bold Street are great stop-off points just a little further along the road.

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