The bars in Durham with the best beer gardens
The city is one of the most picturesque in the UK, so it makes sense to enjoy your summer serves here alfresco, with a view – here are 8 of the most scenic bars in Durham.
COHO DURHAM
Freeman’s Place, Durham DH1 1SW
Are you even drinking in this city if you can’t see the water at all times while you sip? Coho is one of the coolest cocktail bars in Durham – offering creative serves, bottomless brunches and casual dining (think burgers, pizza and tapas), with an outside terrace that spills out onto the riverside.
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 9am – 5pm
Wednesday: 10am – 5pm
Friday – Saturday: 9am – 11pm
Sunday: 11am – 4pm
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THE ANGEL
53 Crossgate, St Margaret’s Garth, Durham DH1 4PR
One of the only ‘proper’ music bars in Durham, The Angel is effortlessly cool – with live gigs, outdoor pub quizzes, a pool table, a free juke box and an Aladdin’s cave of a beer garden out back, decorated with fairy lights and colourful murals that epitomise the offbeat, urban vibe here. You won’t be able to resist a snap for the ‘gram.
Sunday – Thursday: 12pm – 11pm
Friday – Saturday: 12pm – midnight
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THE CHAMPAGNE BAR BY EBONY
8 Walkergate, Durham DH1 1SQ
It’s not often a ‘beer garden’ is as swanky as it is at The Champagne Bar Durham has become somewhat famous for. And yet, in this elegant establishment, you can sip your fizz in this city-centre sun trap along stylish, breakfast-bar style seating or at your own round table under a parasol. Booking a party? Hire out their pod for your own, private slice of outdoor glamour with table service.
Tuesday: 11am – 8pm
Wednesday: 11am – 10pm
Thursday: 11am – 11pm
Friday – Saturday: 10am – midnight
Sunday: 12pm – 8pm
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REVOLUTION
1–4 North Road, Durham DH1 4PW
You don’t need us to wax lyrical about the endless wonder that is Revolution. Durham have perhaps delivered the cream of the creative cocktailing crop, though, with their swanky outpost that enjoys incredible views over the river and a heated terrace with retractable roof – meaning that just because the rain comes out doesn’t mean you and your swanky serves have to stay in.
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 10am – 1am
Wednesday, Friday & Saturday: 10am – 2am
Sunday: 10am – midnight
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OLD TOM’S GIN BAR
33 Riverwalk, Durham DH1 4SL
Summertime and gin go together like a horse and carriage… or so we sing it, anyway. And you’ve got plenty of opportunity to make that happen at one of the most picturesque bars in Durham, with more than 250 varieties of gin to sample here at Old Tom’s Gin Bar. Head out to their beer garden and sip your serve as you look over the river at Durham’s majestic Castle and Cathedral.
Sunday – Thursday: 10am – midnight
Friday – Saturday: 10am – 1am
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THE WOODMAN INN
23 Gilesgate, Durham DH1 1QW
This traditional inn in the heart of the city is one of the oldest pubs in Durham, having been serving locals here for more than 200 years. What’s more, The Woodman Inn boasts an incredibly chilled out beer garden: so you can enjoy a quiet pint in the sun with your mates away from the hustle and bustle of other city centre hangouts.
Sunday – Thursday: 12pm – 11pm
Friday – Saturday: 12pm – midnight
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THE BOAT CLUB
Elvet Riverside, Durham DH1 3AF
This riverside stalwart has remained popular for a few reasons. Housed in a 500-year-old building and boasting panoramic views of the city over the medieval Elvet Bridge, The Boat Club is regarded as one of the finest cocktail bars in Durham – with a heated (and covered) beer garden by the river in which to enjoy your summer margaritas alfresco. Better still, there’s a Tomahawk Steakhouse upstairs.
Monday – Friday: 12pm – midnight
Saturday: 10am – 1am
Sunday: 10am – midnight
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COSY CLUB
Unit R9, The Riverwalk, Durham DH1 4SL
Cosy Club has earned its place among the most scenic bars in Durham thanks to its outdoor terrace, which offers pretty breath-taking views over the river at Durham Cathedral and Castle. We particularly love the cocktail menu here, which offers either ‘Classic or Curious’ versions of all your standard serves.
Sunday – Wednesday: 9am – 11pm
Thursday: 9am – midnight
Friday – Saturday: 9am – 1am
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