Grab a Drink at One of These Outdoor Bars

    by

    This post courtesy of Explore Brooklyn, an all-inclusive guide to the businesses, neighborhoods, and attractions that make Brooklyn great.

    Summer in Brooklyn means looking for places to spend as much time as possible outside, preferably with a drink in hand. Try these bars with great drinks and outdoor spaces.

    Gowanus Yacht Club
    If you want to spend the afternoon outdoors, this is the place to be. There’s literally no inside. This seasonal bar is a summery dive, with cheap beer and cheap food. You’ll find your basic beer offerings in bottles and cans, and a small draft line for pints and pitchers. The food is all from the grill, with tasty burgers, hot dogs, and sausages. No fries, though — don’t ask.

    Gowanus Yacht Club photo courtesy of Facebook.

     

    zombie-hut-brooklyn-outdoor-bar-nycZombie HutJing X. via Yelp

    Zombie Hut 
    Escape from city life with this tiki bar in the middle of Brooklyn. You’ll find bamboo, tiny drink umbrellas, and tropical drinks galore, including the giant, shareable Scorpion Bowl. The backyard has benches, couches, and tables (for the board games provided), and yes, tiki torches!

     

    lock-yard-brooklyn-outdoor-barLock Yard via Facebook

    Lock Yard
    Owned by a former firefighter (and next door to a firehouse), Lock Yard offers craft beer, artisanal sausages, and 1,300 square feet of year-round outdoor space. There are 14 taps of craft beer — you won’t find Bud Light here — as well as 20 cans and four wine selections. The menu features nine specialty hot dogs, four types of sausages, sandwiches, salads, fries, and shareable plates. There are table umbrellas to keep you cool in the summer, and heat lamps for cooler nights.

     

    the-gate-brooklyn-outdoor-barThe Gate | Bex J. via Foursquare

    The Gate
    A Brooklyn institution, The Gate was one of the first craft beer bars in NYC, and they still curate some of the best beer lists in the city. Their patio is off to the side, at the corner of a busy intersection. So grab a beer, get some sun, and watch the Park Slopers roll by.

     

    union-pool-brooklyn-nyc-outdoor-barsUnion Pool via Foursquare

    Union Pool
    One of the biggest outdoor spaces in Brooklyn is enough of a draw, but the live music and DJs are what have turned Union Pool into an institution. Add a taco truck parked on the patio, and this spacious bar gets packed. The El Diablo taco truck serves delicious tacos, tortas, tostadas, and quesadillas, made fresh. It’s also open for brunch on the weekend — try the breakfast tacos with a bloody mary!

     

    beloved-brooklyn-outdoor-barBeloved | Eric S. via Foursquare

    Beloved
    Mixology, good music, and outdoor space are the attractions here. The skilled, friendly bartenders artfully craft the cocktails, all priced at $10. Can’t make up your mind? Try the “bartender’s choice.” Tell them what flavors you like, and they’ll handle the rest. The backyard is dark but candlelit, and makes for an inspired date spot.

     

    Businesses Mentioned Above

    What's Happening