We’re all familiar with the heavy hitters.

When it comes to Cork beer gardens, your Tom Barry’s and your Deep Souths and your Fionnbarras have been leading the charge for years.

But as most locals know, sometimes the nicest al fresco pint is to be found in a quiet little spot where you can always find a seat (or a bench or a keg) in a sliver of sunshine.

Here are some of our favourites: 

Mr Bradleys

Barrack Street, Cork City 

Slip in the front door to collect a pint and head out the back to soak up the rays in a delicious little sun trap that’s often quite relaxed when there’s nothing on inside.

Annie Mac’s

Bandon Road, Cork City

Is it a lush paradise filled with exotic plants? No. BUT Annie Mac’s does have that rare thing in the middle of town; a lovely enclosed grassy area out back with picnic tables aplenty.

Impala

7-8 Liberty Street, Cork City

It’s not a beer garden per say, but the benches outside Impala are a fine spot for people watching in the sunshine. They also have a lovely interior courtyard where you can get enjoy an al fresco pint without the wind chill factor.

Greene’s

MacCurtain Street 

If you’re more ‘cocktails in the courtyard’ than ‘beers in the garden’, nip across the bridge to MacCurtain Street where you can seek out some shade and something fabulous to sip in full view of the waterfall at Greene’s.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Greenes Restaurant Cork (@greenescork)

Farol

Sunday’s Well, Cork

CLOSED TEMPORARILY

If you’re after a chill spot to eat and drink outside without dreading the bill, head up to Sunday’s Well.

Tucked away at 85A Sunday’s Well Road, behind a totally low-key facade, is Farol — which means ‘lighthouse’. Think Mediterranean vibes, cosy homemade Portuguese and international dishes, and zero pretension. Perfect for a relaxed lunch or evening out.

Pro tip: Cork’s beer gardens can fill up quick on sunny evenings — especially the hidden ones — so early arrival always helps snag a good seat.

Fordes Bar

No. 2 Barrack Street

Nestled right at the base of Barrack Street, Fordes Bar has a roomy heated beer garden with plenty of seats and a TV for matches.

Goldbergs

No. 4 Victoria Road, Cork City 

You can nab a bench out front, of course, but Goldberg’s also has a cute little courtyard inside, where you can kick back and enjoy a glass of wine and something delicious from the bar menu.