There are few things that feel quite as “summer” to me as sitting in a beer garden with my wife, my kids, or some friends and having a beer. Drinking outside is one of my favorite ways to celebrate the summer, and Cincinnati has some great places to do it.

It’s hard to decide where to go grab a drink when we finally get those perfect days, though, so I gathered for you a list of the best beer gardens, patios, and places to drink outside to help you make your rounds and get a few beers!

Keep in mind, this is not the end-all/be-all for great places to drink outside – I didn’t include any spots that weren’t breweries, and even at that I didn’t include all the spots that I would have liked to. There’s a ton of them… and you’d be hard-pressed to get me to tell you that you won’t have a good time at any one of them!

33 – Grainworks

Grainworks has a nice patio… it’s a good spot to grab a beer while the weather is warm – and they have couches and tables to provide plenty of different types of seating depending on your group’s needs. The only downside that they have is that it’s on the front of the taproom, and there ends up being a lot of foot traffic through it – as well as the less than scenic views of the parking lot. Still, though – the space and the comfort make it deserve a spot here! Check them out.

32 – Firehouse Grill

As the list of great patios in this city started to grow – I knew that I needed to mention these guys. Firehouse Grill has a massive outdoor space that sits on the edge of a pond with a fountain. It’s a great place to grab some lunch or dinner and several beers while you enjoy the sunshine. The only downsides are the traffic noises and the heat which can get a little tough without a ton of shade. Check them out here.

31 – Montgomery Public House

Montgomery Public House might not have the biggest patio, and that’s why they aren’t higher on the list – but what they have is great. They manage to maximize their space and the big curved patio across the front of the building manages to feel quiet and intimate because of its design. It’s definitely deserving of a mention amongst the rest of the list! Check ’em out here!

30 – Cartridge Brewing’s Patio

Cartridge is one of those places that had an “ok” patio when they opened. Outdoor space, yes… but just falling below the criteria to make this list. With a renovation this year, they edged their way right into the running. Bigger, with more tables and more space to just hang out and have a beer – the patio at Cartridge is a great place to hang out during the summertime! Check them out here, and enjoy their hard work!

29 – Darkness Brewing’s Patio

Darkness has put a TON of work into their patio to make sure that it’s a place you want to hang out on. They added a cover to keep you dry, a food truck to keep your stomach full and the garage door that opens into the taproom makes it feel like it’s all part of the same space. It’s really nicely done – and puts them right on this list! Check them out here!

28 – The N.E.W. Ales Beer Garden

N.E.W. Ales wasn’t planning on a taproom or beer garden right away when they opened their doors in 2020 – but if you remember the way that year shaped up – off-premise distribution took a major hit – and in my opinion, for the better in regards to NEW Ales. These guys quickly put together plans for a tiny taproom and a small beer garden to help folks get their beer – and in doing so moved right into this list. The no-frills beer garden somehow manages to capture a perfect traditional personality in the heart of Middletown, Ohio… it’s a blast to sit down at one of the picnic tables with a few friends and laugh over a couple of beers. Check them out, and let me know what you think!

27 – 13 Below’s Beer Garden

13 Below built their brewery as a destination for folks wanting to spend an afternoon. Their taproom is spacious – but their outdoors space is where the magic really sits for me. It’s expansive green space with a gazebo is perfect for loading up a blanket and spending an afternoon lounging with the family over a couple beers. That’s exactly what you’ll find there, too when you show up on a sunny afternoon… Families spending time together. Beer gardens aren’t just about sitting outside with a beer, and 13 Below certainly understood that when they opened theirs! Check them out here.

26 – The Bircus Patio Space

Bircus had a nice beer garden when they finally opened it up… but the improvements that they keep doing to it have bumped this into the list of my favorite places to sit and have a beer. Normally, it would be tough for a former parking lot to make a list like this, but somehow Bircus has captured the magic that it requires, and especially for me once the sun goes down… this place is a must-visit if you like spending time under the starry sky with a beer in hand. Check them out!

25 – Streetside’s Patio

Streetside has put a lot of effort into improving its outdoor space over the last couple of years, and that effort has earned them a seat on the list. A bigger patio, with an insanely good food truck… outdoor bar seating… they’ve started checking off all the boxes that I need to call this a great outdoor space! If you find yourself hankering for a beer and a blast of sunshine – add them to your roundup! Check them out here.

24 – The Narrow Path Beer Garden

A huge part of Narrow Path’s personality lies in their location next to the Loveland Bike Trail. Their beer garden sits directly between the brewery itself and the trail, and that has made the beer garden a hub of activity for most anyone spending time there. They’ve created a space that is wide open and spacious, while still providing little nooks and corners to have a quieter conversation if you desire. Mix in a wide variety of different people and some incredible beer and you have the solid recipe for a beer garden that belongs here! Go Check Them Out!

23 – HighGrain’s Beer Garden and Deck

Highgrain has two distinct spaces outside of their brewery. In the front is a small deck which by itself is pretty sweet – but on the backside (or side… technically) of the brewery is a medium sized beer garden that is perfect for the Silverton neighborhood. It’s got games, firepits, comfy lounge chairs and tables to snag some lunch or dinner. It’s well thought out and has a little something for everyone. They nailed the use of the space that they had – and I’d be happy to spend any afternoon soaking in the sun there. Make sure that you go check ’em out!

22 – The Sam Adams Patio

This might seem like a surprising addition if you haven’t been paying attention to the Cincinnati brewery scene in the last few years. Sam Adams opened up their taproom in OTR and with it came a big patio right out front. Especially in the last year that patio has become the center of the taprooms universe. It’s not only amazing in the summer for hanging out with a great beer – but as the weather cools down a bit, they’ve loaded it up with firepits and heaters to extend patio season as much as you can in Cincinnati. This is one of those patios that could triple in size and only improve. Just enough personality meets head-on with functionality. Go… Visit them as soon as you can! Check out their website here.

21 – March First’s Patios

March First has two distinct patio spaces, a smaller patio in the back (by the original taproom space) and then a huge patio in the front that is loaded up with garage doors to make it feel like an extension of the taproom. Firepits, tables that seem to look as good as msi countertops, and chairs dot the space. It does a great job of teasing you and beckoning you to come in for a beer when you drive past. If you haven’t already, it’s definitely time you get some friends together and go grab a drink. Check them out here.

20 – Cellar Dweller’s Patio

There’s something really fun about Cellar Dweller. While their home at Valley Vineyards still doesn’t embrace the brewery side of their personality enough, it’s hard to go wrong with a seat on their big patio in the front of the building. Plenty of tables, shade and of course plenty to drink make this a place that everyone in your group is going to enjoy. Grab some dinner, and spend some time here getting away from it all. Hit up their website here.

19 – Sons of Toil’s Beer Garden

When you make the drive out to Sons of Toil, you want to spend the day there. Their large outdoor beer garden space makes that possible with plenty of tables, seats, and green space for your kids to play. Their outdoor space makes this an absolute destination… the incredible beer they’re brewing is just icing on the cake. Check them out here.

18 – Municipal Brew Works’ Patio

Municipal’s taproom is far from the biggest in town, and they knew that when they decided to put a patio on the front of their space. They didn’t know exactly how many folks would flock to the patio in the summer months, though – and they’ve since had to expand it a couple of times to meet demand. When you add on an incredible Dora district in Hamilton that brings the grassy area with picnic tables next to the patio into the mix… you’re set for an incredible evening by the river! Go check out Municipal here.

17 – Big Ash’s Huge Patio

To create a patio in the middle of a parking lot, and to do it in a way that gets you onto this list is no easy task. Big Ash managed, though. They opened their doors with a big deck on the front of their building, which proved to be so popular that even before 2020 and the chaos that brought with it they knew that their outdoor seating options had to be expanded upon. With an outdoor stage, and a ton of picnic tables – the beer garden at Big Ash might even be more popular than the indoor beer hall is. It’s a perfect way to spend an afternoon, and the sunset views are just icing on the cake! Visit their website here.

16 – Sonder’s Patio and Beer Garden

Sonder has a TON of space at their Mason Brewery. They have a big patio loaded up with picnic tables for you to sit out in the sunshine and enjoy whatever type of beer you enjoy (they seem to have a little bit of everything) and as the next few years go by, you’ll see plenty more improvements to that outdoor space along the way. One thing that they added to their beer garden experience that kicks it up a notch or two is the ability to snag a liter of beer. It adds to the vibe in a way that I think goes under appreciated! Make sure you give them a visit, you can check ’em out here!

15 – Moerlein Lager House’s Beer Garden

The lager house has long had one of the best views when it comes to places to grab dinner – but their beer garden/patio never made my list even considering that, because of its smaller size, and full-on restaurant personality. That has changed with the addition of the new beer garden at the lager house. They now have an extensive outdoor space with tables and beautiful shaded spaces to hang out and spend the summer afternoon with a cold beer. It’s fantastic, and a perfect addition to the list! Check them out!

14 – Woodburn’s Patio and New Beer Garden

For years, Woodburn had a standard patio – not too big, tucked onto the back of their taproom. They might’ve made it onto the tail end of this list with it. But when their new owners took over they also brought along an idea to buy the green space behind the building adding on a beer garden, that when coupled up with the small patio turns it into a whole new space (and definitely moves them up on the list). Woodburn is a killer spot to grab a drink in the summer, and their new kitchen is only makes that even better. I’ll definitely say that everyone needs to visit – but if you’re one of the folks who hasn’t been for a while – that becomes even more true. Go!!! Check them out here.

13 – Dead Low’s Patio/Beer Garden

Situated next to a huge park with baseball fields, when Dead Low opened their doors they knew that they’d have lots of folks wanting to sit on the patio for a drink in the summer. They built out a great patio and beer garden to facilitate those needs, and put themselves right on this list. For 2022 they expanded upon what they already had, cementing their beer garden as a must-visit space in the summer I can’t stress enough how great this place is in the summer time – with a wonderful food menu and a beer menu that runs the gamut of traditional and newer styles – you’re going to find something that makes you happy here! Check them out.

12 – Third Eye’s Patio

With a patio, green space in front of the building, and a rooftop deck, too… there’s plenty of space at Third Eye if you like drinking outdoors. It all ties together beautifully while keeping the different spaces relatively separate from each other never making you feel like you’re in the middle of a massive space. It’s a really unique vibe, and something that I know you’ll see a lot of places trying to replicate in the future. Go for the beer, stay for the food… enjoy the vibes all around! Check them out here.

11 – MadTree’s Patio and Backyard

MadTree has always had a great patio space, but when they moved into their “new” space that they dubbed MadTree 2.0 – they opened up a beer garden that definitely makes it into the top ten of this city. This new beer garden was the size of their old taproom… a massive outdoor space with tables, small groups of adirondack chairs, and plenty of space to spread out. For 2021, they added even more space. They dubbed this area the backyard, which adds even more space for activities. I can’t emphasize enough how great this place is! Check them out here before you visit!

10 – The Braxton Rooftop

Braxton’s Covington taproom (they have four different taprooms in the city) has always suffered when it came to outdoor space. They managed to add a small patio space on the front of the building when they opened, but it wasn’t until they opened up their rooftop in 2019 that the space really started to unlock it’s full “outdoor potential”. This rooftop space has it’s own bar, and a bunch of seating built out of repurposed pallet wood. It captures the Braxton vibe perfectly and provides a great view of downtown Covington as well as the Cincy skyline. Make sure you check them out here, and definitely make sure you pay them a visit!

9 – The OTR Stillhouse Beer Garden

I had a really tough time figuring out where these guys fit on the list… because they have an incredible outdoor space. Wide-open, with plenty of room to spread out amongst tables the beer garden sits nestled between the taproom/music venue and the upstairs bottle shop. The design and layout of the buildings with the beer garden is absolutely perfect… the atmosphere is great, and the drinks? Devine. Check them out here.

8 – The Common Beer Company’s Beer Garden

Don’t let the name fool you, The Common Beer Company is anything but common. They’ve taken the idea of a small neighborhood brewery, and unlocked something that can only be described as magical. The people that you’ll find when you set food in their downtown Mason space are a huge part of the equation – but that backyard beer garden is too for me. They have a nice sized patio space, nestled in between a few buildings with fire pits, picnic tables and some sort of magic in the air that brings a vibe that you can’t buy for any amount of money. They’re doing a lot of things right over at The Common, and you should pay them a visit if you’re not doing it already regularly. Check them out here.

7 – Little Miami’s Patio Space

It’s hard to go wrong with a brewery that has a river view. Find a seat on their beer garden with a cold glass of something in your hand and you can just sit all afternoon watching the water flow by. They’ve added some fire pits, a taco truck to complement their indoor pizza kitchen, a rooftop deck and plenty more reasons that make them worthy of their spot on the list. Little Miami has helped shape downtown Milford, and a huge part of how they did it was this beer garden. Check them out on their website.

6 – Rhinegeist’s Rooftop

This changed the game for downtown brewery spots. Rhinegeist was one of the few places (and definitely the biggest) that didn’t have an option for outdoor seating for a long time. That changed in a big way when they debuted their rooftop space – and that deck still remains the best rooftop bar in the city (in my opinion). The views across OTR and into downtown are incredible – and the way they split up the space to provide a ton of different seating options is downright brilliant. Check them out here, but make sure that the rooftop is open!

5 – Urban Artifact’s Beer Garden

Slow, small improvements to the beer garden at Urban Artifact have slowly over time pushed them into the top five in the city. Nestled amongst the three buildings that make up the UA complex, and shaded under some big trees – the beer garden feels comfortable, cozy and with a distinct nod to traditional European spots to grab a beer outdoors. When you sit down with a pint of their amazing fruited sour beer – it all clicks. Add in their big fire pit in the cooler months, and I could spend hours here… I do, spend hours here. Check them out.

4 – The Hofbrauhaus Beer Garden

As far as straight up, traditional beer gardens go – this is the best you’ll find in the city. Located right across the river in Newport, Hofbrauhaus might not be a “local brewery” – but even if just for this beer garden alone, I’ll always tip my hat to what they’re doing over there. Big, communal tables, giant steins of beer… it’s all part of the equation – and it makes this place scream with German personality. Check it out.

3 – Mt Carmel’s Incredible Patio and Outdoor Space

Mt Carmel is not just an OG when it comes to Cincinnati craft beer, they were also one of the first places to crack the code that we don’t just want to sit outside and have a beer – we want to be immersed in an atmosphere that is different. A patios and beer gardens need to transform you, take you away from your normal life and let you escape for a little while. There aren’t a lot of places that do that as well as Mt Carmel does. In 2019 their expansion with the Carriage House took that idea a really shook it up. I have high hopes for what these folks are going to keep doing in the future. Check them out!

2 – Fifty West Brewing Company’s Burger Bar and Beer Garden

Fifty West has a fantastic beer garden space, tents provide shade next to their outstanding Burger Bar restaurant, and a wooden walkway leads across their volleyball courts over to their production brewery surrounded by patios. When you couple that up with a bike shop, a running gear store, canoeing, and incredible beer? Their compound was destined to hit this list. Check them out for more information… and get there!

1 – Fibonacci Brewing Company’s Farm and Beer Garden

Oh… Fibonacci. Make one visit and you’ll understand exactly why they took the number one spot. This shaded beer garden is tucked in the heart of Mt. Healthy under a canopy of large trees. Tons of tables and chairs provide seating for whatever group you find yourself with, and fire pits provide the perfect ambiance in the spring and fall months. The most unique part of their beer garden? They have animals! Fib Farm is located right next to the taproom and is loaded up with chickens and goats… my kids absolutely love it. Find out more about Fibonacci on their website here!

I respect that you might disagree with my list – and while you’re probably wrong – I’d still love to hear your thoughts about it. You can contact me to share your opinion… and I’ll certainly make a few repeat visits to all the beer gardens I can this year to see if next year’s list gets any changes! In the meantime, get out and have a beer in the sunshine. We get this wonderful, short window of time to do it!