Boston Beer Gardens & Outdoor Gathering Spaces
Cool Outdoor Places to Hang out with Friends
Beer Gardens to Visit in Boston This Summer
Trillium Beer Garden
Outdoor beer gardens have taken the city by storm lately, and Trillium Beer Garden on the Rose Kennedy Greenway is a super cool place to mingle with other young professionals in the city. Happy hours here quite popular and people line up and are very willing to wait awhile to get inside the fences.
Trillium Brewing Company will be opening for the season on the Greenway on April 14, 2023.
In addition, they will be unveiling a new space near the corner of Boylston and Tremont Streets, near the Emerson campus and the MBTA Green Line station. The new space is planned to open by May 4 and operate through Nov. 1.
The new seasonal performance space and outdoor beer garden offering music, food, and beverages on Boston Common, with performances that represent all of our residents and a new, beautiful outdoor gathering space for all. In addition to beer, Taqueria El Barrio will be providing a number of delicious food options.
During the season, Food Trucks line up right nearby so you can grab a quick bite while you wait. Trillium actually has several locations - the Trillium Restaurant & Brewing Co. is a building tucked back one street off of Seaport Blvd. in Fort Point
The venue features a large patio & deck setup, as well as indoor seating for the cooler months. Another year-round, indoor-outdoor Trillium taproom is located in the Fenway.
Trillium’s drink offerings will be paired with some incredible partners from the Greenway's 2023 Food Truck Program. You’ll find Burgundian on Thursdays, Revelry on Fridays, Dining Car on Saturdays, and Pennypackers on Sundays throughout the season!
Atlantic Avenue & High Street
Boston, MA
Boston Common
corner of Boylston & Tremont
Night Shift Brewing - The Owl's Nest (The Esplanade + 5)
The Esplanade location of Owls Nest Beer Garden is a perfect summer spot to hang after work, relax after a run, or catch up with friends.
Indulge in eats from The Smoke Shop BBQ and sit back and relax with a cold craft beer, hard seltzer or glass of wine. Enjoy all that summer has to offer with your friends - the four-legged kind are welcome, too!
Seasonally open Thursday - Sunday, visitors can enjoy lots of tunes, events, and food trucks, along with brews from Night Shift Brewery, and the breezes and excellent views of the Charles River. New this year, guests can also enjoy shuffleboard and pickleball courts as well.
photo courtesy of Owl's Nest Beer Garden
6 locations:
ESPLANADE (Boston): Between Berkeley & Clarendon Streets along the Storrow Lagoon (use the Dartmouth Street footbridge for access)
ALLSTON (Herter Park): Between Harvard Stadium & Everett Street along Soldier's Field Road (big, free parking lot adjacent the beer garden itself)
CANAL DISTRICT KENDALL (Cambridge): Termeer Square, West Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA (parking at 350 Kendall St Garage)
HOOD PARK (Charlestown): 6 Stack St, Charlestown, MA (across from 100 Hood Park Drive)
UNIVERSITY PARK (Cambridge): 65 Sidney Street, Cambridge MA
ASSEMBLY ROW between Foley Street and Revolution Drive
Check it out Thursdays & Fridays from 4-10 p.m., Saturdays from noon-10 p.m., and Sundays from noon-6 p.m.
Cisco Brewers Beer Garden (Seaport District)
Nantucket’s favorite brewery is popping up in Boston Seaport for the summer.
Head over to the Seaport District and you can enjoy a round at the Cisco Brewery Beer Garden showcasing an extensive portfolio of beers including favorites like Whale’s Tale Pale Ale, Grey Lady Wheat Ale, Wandering Haze Hazy IPA and its seasonal Summer Rays Golden Ale, as well as hard ciders, wines, frosé and coolers.
Cisco Brewers is back, and now open through October. This year Cisco brings their famous portfolio of beers, while also offering craft cocktails, wine, and spirits from Triple Eight Distillery.
The new Cisco Brewers Kitchen serves will include a classic New England clam shack, a sushi bar, and a taco truck. Come by Cisco this summer and enjoy a cold one while listening to live music from local artists.
When the space opens, it tends to fill up quickly. Seating is limited to 90 minutes so there will be turnover, but best to plan accordingly. Guests can add there name & cell # to the waitlist on busy evenings and you’ll be summoned when your table is ready.
photo courtesy of Cisco Beer Garden
Cisco Brewers Seaport has daily live music from local artists, including Salty Sweet, The Lustre Kings, Alex Rohan, The Regular Gents and Bondra & Morris.
Open: Check it out Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4-11 p.m., Fridays from 3-11 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays from noon-11 p.m.
65 Northern Ave
Boston, MA 02210
City Winery on the Greenway (Boston)
City Winery has a secondary location on the Rose Kennedy Greenway right across the street from South Station.
This urban, wine garden oasis is conveniently located at Dewey Square, which is one of the most picturesque sections of downtown Boston. The wine garden is a fun and friendly destination for all to gather, play and unwind.
photo courtesy of City Winery
The Greenway / Dewey Square
Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02111
The Patios (Gov't Center)
The Patios presented by Berkshire Bank, is set atop City Hall Plaza overlooking Faneuil Hall. Fenced by an artful BOSTON sign, it's also become a great place for a local photo op.
Mayor Michelle Wu announced the reopening of the temporary Beer Garden on City Hall Plaza, in partnership 67 Degrees Brewing, a Black, woman, and veteran-owned brewery located in Franklin, MA, as the operator for the duration of the program.
Reopening the City Hall Plaza Beer Garden in partnership with 67 Degrees Brewing is part of the City's ongoing efforts to bring vibrancy back to Downtown Boston.
67 Degrees Brewing will operate the Beer Garden starting Wednesday, September 28, 2022 from 12:00PM - 7:00PM (There is a private event from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on September 28). The hours of operations will be Wednesdays through Sundays from 12:00PM to 7:00PM until early November, weather conditions permitting.
Food trucks will also be on site during operating hours. The City will be releasing an RFP later this fall to select a longer term vendor to take over operation of the Beer Garden starting in the spring.
photo courtesy of The Patios
The Patios debuted in May 2018 as a highly successful place making initiative and, with the help of Wachusett Brewing Company, a very popular foray into the outdoor beer garden trend.
The Anchor (Charlestown)
Finally, you can enjoy some fun outdoor games, harbor views and brews at The Anchor, in Charlestown. The Anchor is an all-ages gathering space that is complemented by live music programming, public art, and backyard games.
Indulge in a finely curated collection of local and international brews, as well as a robust selection of wines, sangria and bubbly. Espresso, coffees, teas, freshly squeezed lemonades are also available for refreshment.
photo courtesy of The Anchor
Open: Seasonal Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 4:00pm-11:00pm
Friday - Sunday: 11:00am-11:00pm
The Lawn on D
The Lawn on D is a park and playground oasis for children and adults near the Boston convention center. The park features art installations, live music, very cool LED illuminated circular (think glowing) swings, inflatable maze and so much more.
The park attracts many families and young adults in the area due to its cool features, live music and seasonal festivals.
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photo courtesy of The Lawn on D
420 D Street
Boston, MA 02210
Sam Adams R&D Taproom at Faneuil Hall (Downtown Boston)
Sam Adams Boston Taproom The Sam Adams Boston Taproom opened its doors on January 30, 2020 at 60 State Street steps away from the iconic Samuel Adams statue in Faneuil Hall. Hours: Sun - Wed: 2-8pm and Thurs - Sat: 12-8pm.
The taproom is 15,000 square feet consisting of 3 floors including our rooftop outdoor deck and our lower level featuring beer hall style tables perfect for larger groups.
photo credit: The Boston Calendar
Check it out Wednesdays & Thursdays from 2-8pm, Fridays & Saturdays from 12 noon-8 p.m., and Sundays from 12 noon-6 p.m.
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Over the Charles: Jack's Abby Rooftop Beer Garden - Boston
Over the Charles at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Boston/Cambridge is now partnering with Jack's Abby while offering such food options as Bavarian pretzel sticks, flatbreads, burgers, lobster rolls, and chocolate chip cookies (cocktails are also available as well).
The Framingham-based Jack's Abby is known in part for their German-style beers with an emphasis on lagers.
The bar is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton
400 Soldiers Field Road
Boston, MA, 02134.
Rooftop at The Envoy Hotel
The Envoy’s modern building, radiating light and glass is crowned by the Lookout Rooftop, a sleek rooftop bar in Boston. The panoramic views of the city skyline and Boston Harbor are unmatched and on par with the best rooftop venues in Boston. The beverage-only bar features unique house-made craft cocktails, microbrews, and wine by the glass collections.
Castle Island Brewing Company Beer Garden - Norwood
Located in Norwood, southwest of Boston, Castle Island Brewing Company Beer Garden is a spacious outdoor area that offers plenty of seating and shade. The beer garden features a variety of Castle Island's popular brews, as well as a menu of sandwiches and snacks. Visitors can enjoy lawn games, such as cornhole and giant Jenga, while sipping on their favorite beer.
Castle Island Beer Garden
In conclusion, Boston's favorite beer gardens offer a variety of atmospheres and experiences for beer enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a cozy spot to enjoy a few drinks with friends or a spacious area to play lawn games, these beer gardens have something for everyone.
So grab your friends and try a new a cold brew as you relax, and enjoy the beautiful Boston weather at one of these popular spots.
Boston is host to so many outdoor activities during the summer. It's cold so much of the year, that summer truly is the time to be outside. From free outdoor movies, to Boston Festivals, top notch farmer's markets and free summer concerts, you'll find a treasure trove of things to do in any Boston summer.
You can find lots more things to do in Boston during any season in our handy guide to the city. Stay in-the-know about family-friendly events in Boston all year round by subscribing to our free weekly events newsletter!
Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for over 20 years. She continues to enjoy discovering & exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area.