Northern Ireland is expected to see the re-opening of pubs, bars and beer gardens next month.
From July 3, public houses and bars will be permitted to re-open for the purposes of selling food and alcohol on a table service basis.
And establishments with outside spaces such as beer gardens will be able to use these spaces to serve alcohol on a table service basis.
Luckily, NI is home to several noteworthy beer gardens - including a CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) shortlister.
Here’s a round up of some of Northern Ireland’s best beer gardens.
The Dirty Duck
The beer garden at The Dirty Duck, Holywood was highlighted as one of the top 10 beer gardens to visit in the UK during CAMRA’s Summer of Pub 2019 campaign.
The beer garden overlooks Belfast Lough and features a ‘Quack Shack’ a station where punters can order drinks and hot drinks from.
And in the colder months, The Dirty Duck team turns on the heat lamps for guests to cosy up under.
2-4 Kinnegar Road, Holywood, BT18 9JN
The Dirty Onion
The Dirty Onion is situated inside one of Belfast’s oldest buildings that was constructed in 1680.
This authentic Irish pub has a cool, modern twist and is home to one of the largest beer gardens in Belfast.
The dog-friendly pub specialises in craft beer and whisky and is also a stop-off point on the Belfast Traditional Music Trail.
3 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LA
The Hudson Bar
The Hudson Bar on Gresham Street is known for its infamous yard.
Before lock down, the venue held live music events from Friday to Sunday and hosts an open mic night every Thursday.
4 Gresham Street, Belfast, BT1 1JN
The Sunflower Pub
The Sunflower Pub offers an extensive list of local and international beers.
In 2014, the pub opened its beer garden - which quickly became its punters’ favourite place to relax and enjoy a pint.
The area is south facing and has been a popular spot on warmer days before the lock down.
The garden also features an outdoor kitchen where wood-oven pizza is made and pre-lock down, punters could expect live entertainment in the form of traditional folk and travellers’ music.
65 Union Street, Belfast, BT1 2JG
Saltwater Brig
Just outside Belfast, between Kircubbin and Portaferry, you’ll find the Saltwater Brig.
The Brig has extensive gardens with views over Strangford Lough are situated to the rear of the Brig.
Usually, when open in the summer months punters can also enjoy freshly cooked food from the stonewall barbecue.
43 Rowreagh Road, Kircubbin, Newtownards, BT22 1AR
Kelly's Cellars
Kelly’s Cellars was built in 1720 and the establishment says not much has changed since then.
The traditional Irish pub is steeped in history and has retained the majority of the building’s original features.
Kelly’s would host nightly Midweek Trad sessions and Garden sessions every Saturday during the summer months with live bands every Friday and Saturday.
The beer garden is spacious with plenty of seating.
30-32 Bank Street, Belfast, BT1 1HL
