As soon as the temperature creeps over 17 degrees and there is a hint of blue sky, the best way to spend your evening is to get yourself to a pub garden. Whether you are celebrating handing in an assignment or the end of exams, or simply need an escape from Uni stress, don your sunglasses and grab yourself a pint in the sun.

Original Oak

If you live in Hyde Park or Headingley and you don’t want to go far for your beverage, get down to the Original Oak which boasts perhaps the biggest and most popular beer garden with students in Leeds. The giant screen is up in the summer, showing all the major sporting events so if you want to catch a big match, make sure you get down early to avoid the queues.  

Belgrave Music Hall / Headrow House

The gems of Leeds rooftop terraces are Belgrave Music Hall and Headrow House. Belgrave combines great food and beer with a funky sun-trap of a roof terrace and is the perfect place to pass a whole afternoon or evening in the spring and summer.

Headrow House is Belgrave’s older, slightly swankier, sister which has two levels of roof terrace with bars and the much Instagrammed neon sign. Look out for the Headrow House rooftop parties hosted by Triple Cooked and Mixtape which are towards the end of term, they are often free entry and are so much fun.

Nation of Shopkeepers

The Nation of Shopkeepers courtyard is a great spot for sunnier spring evenings. They host various art and live music events and have a weekly themed quiz on a Monday. Time your visit on a Tuesday and you can enjoy 2-4-1 on a selection of delicious burgers, including veggie and vegan options.

Parkside Tavern

The Parkside Tavern is another great spot on Merrion Street to enjoy the sunshine and has no less than three outdoor terraces, so you’re sure to get a spot.

Waterlane Boathouse

Waterlane Boathouse is the lesser known of the Belgrave and Headrow House family. It sits on the waterside of the canal at the bottom of town, just behind the train station. The big outdoor terrace is the perfect place to sit and spend an afternoon, watching the boats drift by and they also serve great food.

There are several events held in the summer months, such as the Pizza and Prosecco Festival and the Boathouse Feast which also play host to live music and DJs.

Lamb and Flag

The recently renovated pub garden at the Lamb and Flag pub is tucked away near the bottom of the Calls in Leeds city centre and overlooks the impressive Leeds Minster. They serve beer from Leeds Brewery and regularly have outdoor all-day BBQs and live music on the terrace.

Issho

If you’re looking for something a little fancier, Issho in Victoria Gate has a roof terrace which offers a range of Japanese-inspired cocktails and specialist whiskies. Its view over the rooftops of the city centre and greenery has made it one of Glamour magazine’s most Instagrammable spots in the UK.

Image: Time Out