The Pear Tree

The Pear Tree has a large cobbled stone courtyard scattered with traditional wooden picnic benches. Although it is in a busy central area, the high stone walls and mass of climbing ivy means that it feels quite secluded. It’s a firm favourite with Edinburgh students in that it is situated very close to the Edinburgh University campus, and on a warm summer’s day this place can get very busy - so be prepared to share a picnic bench and embrace the chance to make new beer buddies.
38 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, 0131 667 7533.

The Outhouse

The Outhouse sits along a cobbled lane, down in the scenic area of the New Town. There is a nice, open plan bar area and to the rear is a huge beer garden, with umbrellas to shade the summer sun and heaters to ward off late evening chills. They seem to have it all sussed, right down to their regular summer weekend barbeques. You can even tap into their free WiFi from the comfort of your own picnic bench. Perfect.
12a Broughton Street Lane, Edinburgh (F3), 0131 557 6668. 

Three Sisters

A large courtyard space that is basically an extension of the party atmosphere that goes on inside the Three Sisters (three separate levels of bars and dance floors) - this is definitely one of the livelier beer gardens. There are a couple of rows of benches with big, spaceship-like overhead heaters, but the rest of the space is open ground - meaning that it often invites people to throw some open-air dance moves. Who said outside drinking was more civilised?
139 Cowgate, Edinburgh, 0131 622 6801. 

The Cumberland Bar

This is the one that we almost didn’t want to even tell you about, because it’s a bit special. But then we remembered that The Midgie has a heart of gold. And so, hidden along a quiet street just below ground level you’ll find this lovely little beer garden - with cosy circular benches and low hanging shading trees. You won’t hear any noisy buses or cars, just perhaps the gentle buzz of a bee or the flicker of a fly floating in the froth of your beer. Pure bliss.
1-3 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh (E2), 0131 558 3134.