Sun’s out so the pub is out: Sunshine in beer garden central

With the promise of summer just around the corner, the glorious sunshine has both university students and locals alike swarming into the pub gardens. Whilst the trusty Wetherspoons seems to be a fail-safe option for a cheeky drink to relax and unwind with friends in the midst of exam season, it is time to trade our beloved Benjamin Satchwell in for a different establishment. ‘But where do I go instead?’ I hear you cry. Fear not, for this article will tell you all about the best places to sit in the sun and play cards with your flatmates.

The Dirty Duck
Location: Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL
Price: £-££

A classic pub, a student favourite even, the Dirty Duck is the perfect choice for when you want to spend some time on campus in the sunshine without having to trek too far to Varsity or the Phantom Coach. Whilst the Dirty Duck doesn’t have a specific beer garden, there is plenty of outdoor seating available. This includes sheltered seating near the entrance, tables along the windows, and a collection of seats at the back of the pub. With the return of their iconic frosés and their student-friendly prices, this campus pub is a brilliant choice to treat yourself to a tipple post-exam!

For the sports fans out there, this pub has TVs both inside their pub and in the beer garden, so you can pretend to socialise with your summery friends whilst focusing on the football

The Old Library
Location: 11-13 Bath Street, Leamington Spa CV31 3AF
Price: ££

Situated practically on top of the Parish Church stop for the U1/2, the Old Library (colloquially ‘Old Lib’) is an accessible spot for campus and Leam-dwellers both. Boasting not only a cozy beer garden, but heaters alongside the outer tables for the later nights, this pub is the ideal spot for enjoying the sunshine with a pint and a few friends. For the sports fans out there, this pub has TVs both inside their pub and in the beer garden, so you can pretend to socialise with your summery friends whilst focusing on the football.

The Bowling Green
Location: 18 New Street, Leamington Spa CV31 1HP
Price: £-££

A little bit out of the way from the typical bus route, this little pub hosts not only a lovely outdoor seating area but also some great student deals and a pool table. A lovely establishment, with some of the nicest bar staff that I have encountered in my many visits to public houses in Leamington, and their fantastic student prices are just the cherry on top with this place!

The Micro Pug
Location: 66 Clemens St, Leamington Spa CV31 2DN
Price: ££

One of many “pug” establishments in Leamington Spa, and I hear that the royal variety isn’t too shabby either, but this pub stands out for its gorgeous views from its beer garden. Although the outside seating area is smaller than most, it creates a blissful suntrap with the view of the canal right beside you, making it an absolutely perfect choice for those who love to people-watch or watch canal boats.

The beer garden is great for enjoying the pub’s atmosphere in a much more well-lit space, allowing you to catch the rays while hanging out with friends for a necessary debrief

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Numerous pubs and bars with beautiful beer gardens haven’t been mentioned – such as The Clarendon (just beyond the parade), which boasts some nice deals, or Fizzy Moon for the fancier crowd among us. This selection is merely a reflection of personal favourites! Some of you may be wondering what the appeal would be of spending your time in a beer garden, especially for those who may not drink or are gripped by the stress of exams – but the beer garden encapsulates a perfect, designated space for socialising with friends, flatmates, and course mates in the beating sunshine, away from assignments and exams for just a moment.

The beer garden is great for enjoying the pub’s atmosphere in a much more well-lit space, allowing you to catch the rays while hanging out with friends for a necessary debrief. A pack of cards is essential on one of these visits; there are countless card games (if you have a nominated card expert!) that are easily picked up that will bring a layer of laughter and antics to your pub visit. Or, if you’re not a fan of learning new games, Uno is a great game to enjoy a summer’s day at the pub – although it is certainly more likely to cause conflicts with everyone’s so-called ‘house rules’! Or even a stack of flashcards, so your friends can test you on your upcoming exams whilst you get to bask in the lovely weather and company without feeling too much of a guilty procrastinator.