Summer in London isn’t just about fighting over the last square of grass in the park or roasting on the Tube. It’s also the perfect excuse to get out, order a drink, and bask in whatever sun the city decides to share. So in celebration of warmer days and loosened layers, here are eight great places around London to raise a glass al fresco.

1. Barge East, Hackney Wick

This restored 120-year-old Dutch barge doesn’t just float—it flourishes. Barge East offers a beautiful blend of fine dining, craft cocktails, and canalside lounging. The lush garden terrace is bursting with herbs and edible plants (some used right in your drink), while the floating barge itself houses a stylish, rustic interior. You can sip a crisp white while watching kayakers drift past the Olympic Park, or linger into the evening when fairy lights warm the wooden decks.

Image Source: Barge East

2. Frank’s Cafe, Peckham

Legendary among London rooftops, Frank’s Cafe sits atop a multi-storey car park in Peckham—and somehow makes brutalist concrete feel cool. Run by the Bold Tendencies art collective, the space offers sweeping views of London’s skyline and an ever-rotating art installation or two. Drinks lean simple (Negronis, beers, rosé by the bottle), but it’s the atmosphere that elevates everything. The climb up the pink staircase feels like a rite of summer, and catching sunset from here? That’s the real drink.

Image Source: SquareMeal

3. Bar Story, Peckham

Tucked under railway arches, Bar Story is a gritty, laid-back gem where art-school types and locals gather on long benches to catch up over cocktail pitchers. The outdoor space has a come-as-you-are charm—graffitied walls, mismatched furniture, and a soundtrack that shifts between ambient house and surprise DJ sets. Come for the two-for-one cocktails at happy hour, stay for the easy vibe and glowing string lights after dark.

Image Source: Licklist

4. The Aeronaut, Acton

There’s nothing subtle about The Aeronaut—and that’s half the fun. This circus-themed pub throws in everything from acrobatic performances to themed quizzes and boozy brunches. Out back, though, are two large beer gardens that manage to feel more like mini festival grounds. Expect themed décor, long communal tables, and the odd fire-eater or magician wandering through. It’s maximalism with a pint glass, and the energy is contagious.

Note - They're temporirily closed for now but hopefully they are back to full operational before summer ends.

Image Source: London On The Inside

5. Number 90 Bar, Hackney Wick

This canalside bar has grown from a local hangout to a full-blown Hackney institution. Inside it’s all reclaimed wood and warehouse vibes; outside, it’s a wide terrace with fairy lights, deckchairs, and water just inches away. Pair a crisp lager or a seasonal spritz with their creative bar menu—think Korean BBQ wings, vegan tacos, and serious Sunday roasts. DJs spin in the evenings, but it’s just as good for daytime people-watching and a lazy pint.

Image Source: Number 90

6. The Duke of Edinburgh, Brixton

The Duke’s beer garden is the kind you stumble into and wonder how you never knew it existed. Enormous, full of picnic tables and shady nooks, it's one of the largest in London. The pub menu is no afterthought—burgers and wings come hot from an on-site kitchen that draws its own loyal following. It’s relaxed, communal, and usually buzzing with energy but never overwhelming.

Image Source: The Duke of Edinburgh Pub

7. Mercato Metropolitano, Elephant & Castle

Mercato is part food hall, part sustainability hub, and part open-air feast. It sprawls over a former warehouse site and feels more like a summer festival than a bar. Dozens of vendors serve global street food, craft beer, biodynamic wine, and cocktails out of repurposed containers and stalls. Grab your drink of choice, find a wooden bench, and prepare to be serenaded by the occasional acoustic set or DJ set under twinkling lights.

Image Source: Secret London

8. The Magic Garden, Battersea

Like someone dropped a Glastonbury side-stage into the middle of Battersea, The Magic Garden is a riot of textures, colors, and characters. There's something delightfully chaotic about it—vintage caravans, makeshift seating areas, firepits, and often, live music pumping out in the open air. Add in thick throws, candles, and a bar that takes its cocktails seriously, and it’s hard not to lose track of time.

Image Source: Thatsup

Drinking outside in London isn’t just a summer activity—it’s a mindset. These eight places capture everything we love about the season: great drinks, easy company, and a view that makes you forget how long winter lasted. Doesn’t matter if you’re into canal-side calm, rooftop revelry, or garden-grown cocktails, there’s a sunny corner of the city waiting with your name on a glass. Just get there early—London doesn’t wait for anyone once the sun comes out.