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Grab a Drink Outdoors at these Boston Beer Gardens

Visiting Boston will make for an unforgettable experience. You can tour the various museums, learn more about the city and nation’s history, and try some fantastic restaurants.

table set with trees at boston beer gardens

Boston isn’t short on great restaurants, but they’re also a haven for craft beer lovers. There are several great beer gardens and breweries in Boston for you to try, so it might be hard to squeeze all of them in during one trip.

As you wander through the city, these are the best beer gardens in Boston to stop at when you need a cold drink.


Night Shift Brewing

Multiple locations
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Night Shift Brewing is a famous beer garden in Boston for visitors and locals. There are several locations, but one of the most popular ones is in Lovejoy Wharf, not far from the Paul Revere House.

The brewery is modern, with concrete floors, metal fixtures, and neon lights throughout. For hoppy beer lovers, this is a must-try. Their flagship hazy IPA, Fluffy, was one of my favorites.

However, while this brewery is known for its hoppy beers, it also has several other types. I couldn’t resist trying their light lager with a hint of lime. It was super refreshing and easy to drink.


Trillium Brewing Company

50 Thomson Pl, Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 857-449-0083
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In Boston’s South Waterfront is Trillium Brewing Company. Sitting on Thomson Place, this beer garden features a two-story taproom and a lengthy beer menu.

You’ll see exposed brick, dim lighting, and plenty of seating throughout the bar to accommodate however many people are in your group. 

Trillium’s draft list features several hop-forward beers, dark beers, sours, and more. With so many options, trying a flight is a great way to sample a few of the ones that sound the best to you.

My personal favorites were their Mango and Passion Fruit sour and the Coconut PM Dawn stout.


Aeronaut Brewing Co.

14 Tyler St, Somerville, MA 02143
Phone: 617-987-4236
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Aeronaut Brewing Co is northwest of the city center of Boston on Tyler Street. You’ll walk into a warehouse-type building with picnic tables, a bar, and a view of where they brew their beer.

All their beers are listed on chalkboards, and the staff is knowledgeable about their creations and very friendly.

Aeronaut Brewing features a lot of fruit-forward beers. So expect to see fruity options, whether they’re a sour, wheat, or light beer.

I tried and thoroughly enjoyed the Pina Colada IPA while I was there, but the bartender told me his favorites are their Molasses Mild and the Robot Crush American Pilsner.

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Bone Up Brewing Co.

38 Norman St, Everett, MA 02149
Phone: 781-691-9092
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You’ll need to travel north of the city to reach Bone Up Brewing Co., but it’s worth the trip. It’s not your typical beer garden or brewery with modern fixtures.

Instead, it feels more old-school with dim lighting, wooden furniture, and a classic Boston bar atmosphere.

My favorite part, besides the beer, was the twinkling lights strung from the ceiling. If you’re celebrating a special event, this small brewery will create a special beer just for you!

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time for this, so I stuck with trying a few of their flagship beers. I chose a flight of all four, including the Shut Up Kelly porter, Wasted Life IPA, Key Lime white ale, and Extra Naked table beer.


Cambridge Brewing Company

1 Kendall Square Bldg 75, Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-494-1994
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Cambridge Brewing Company is just north of MIT. This gastropub and beer garden has a more sophisticated atmosphere than others in Boston.

But that doesn’t mean the staff wasn’t especially friendly and laid-back. The beer garden is lively and isn’t a place you’ll want to go if you want to have quiet conversations.

Their beer menu features a little bit of everything, so everyone is sure to find a beer they like here. Their Tiny Geometrics toasted red lager was something I’d never tried before, but I’m glad I did.

Make sure to check out their food menu to grab something to munch on while you try their excellent beers.


Dorchester Brewing Company

1250 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02125
Phone: 617-514-0900
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Dorchester Brewing Company is a large beer garden near Carson Beach. The large-scale warehouse features an indoor taproom and outdoor beer garden, perfect when the weather’s nice.

The atmosphere was lively yet relaxed. You’ll see people playing games outside, listening to music, and spending time with friends.

They have many beers on tap and an option to sample four of them in a flight. Some of their most popular beers include Neponset Gold golden ale, Parish pilsner, EmpowHERment west coast pale ale, and the Punchbowl fruit sour.

If none of these appeals to you, you’ll have over ten others to choose from.


Idle Hands Craft Ales

89 Commercial St, Malden, MA 02148
Phone: 781-333-6070
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You’ll find Idle Hands Craft Ales on Commercial Street in Malden, north of Boston. The brick building holds a small beer garden and an outdoor area.

I loved the beautiful murals on the wall featuring bright colors, which is something you don’t see in most breweries.

Idle Hands focuses on brewing mostly Belgian and German-inspired beers, but they have other options too.

For an easy-to-drink beer, their Commonwealth pub ale is perfect. It’s crisp and light and pairs amazingly with their giant German pretzel.

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Their Raspberry Torte features raspberries, vanilla, and cocoa if you’re into darker beers.


Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen

190 N Beacon St, Boston, MA 02135
Phone: 617-903-3766
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Another excellent beer garden is on North Beacon Street. Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen is the perfect place to sip great beer and enjoy a meal in a comfortable environment.

The beer garden is casual, and you don’t need to get dressed up to visit. The joint’s interior is simple, allowing the beer and food to be the show’s stars.

They have eight beers on draft, and if you’re visiting with a friend, you can order a pitcher of any beer to share.

Their Kiss, the Cook Belgian Saison, is a popular choice, and after trying it, I could see why. Their Main Streets Lager is another popular choice if you want something lighter.


Cisco Brewers Seaport

85 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
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Across the street from The Institute of Contemporary Art is Cisco Brewers Seaport. This pop-up beer garden is seasonal in Boston.

So you’ll likely see many people around taking advantage of the beautiful weather and tasty beer. You can sit back and relax on the chairs or wander around trying different food from the food trucks.

They have several seasonal beers, but their mainstays are worth trying too. They have three year-round beers that are all hoppy.

Their Gripah grapefruit IPA was surprisingly refreshing for how hoppy it was, but their Grey Lady wheat ale is the perfect one to enjoy while in the Boston sun.


Lord Hobo Brewing Company

5 Draper St, Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: 781-281-0809
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Lord Hobo Brewing Company is on Draper Street, near the waterfront. Since 2015, this spot has been a favorite for people in Boston.

The space is modern with black walls, light concrete floors, and plenty of natural light during the daytime.

Staff love talking about their brewing process, and it’s a great place to converse with other beer lovers.

They have their core beers and release some of their most cherished creations to share with people every quarter.

Their core beers are all IPA variations, so if you’re not into IPAs, you may not enjoy this beer garden. My favorite was their Boom Sauce, double IPA.


Sam Adams Boston Taproom

60 State St, Boston, MA 02109
Phone: 617-466-6418
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If you only go to one beer garden while visiting Boston, you can’t miss the Sam Adams Boston Taproom.

This large taproom features a rooftop that you need to check out for great city views. The atmosphere is laid-back, with people playing board games and card games and enjoying a meal and beer.

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Sam Adams Boston Taproom has all your favorite Sam Adams beers and some you can’t get in your local grocery store.

I opted for a flight of four to try a few. I loved the Porch Rocker Bavarian Radler, Love Conquers All wheat ale, Sam Summer Ale wheat ale, and Stay Golden British golden ale.


The Anchor

1 Shipyard Park, Charlestown, MA 02129
Phone: 617-286-2404
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For those looking for an excellent place for beer and live music, The Anchor is a great choice. This airy beer garden is located near the Navy Yard and has plenty of seating and a friendly atmosphere.

However, if you want to visit this beer garden, keep in mind that it’s only open during the summer and early fall.

I love that they have a smaller beer menu because it makes choosing something easier. The Anchor features wine and ciders for those not interested in a classic craft beer.

I let the server choose a beer for me and wasn’t disappointed with the Bentwater Jolene Porter.


BearMoose Brewing Company

1934 Revere Beach Pkwy, Everett, MA 02149
Phone: 617-294-1211
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Last but not least, we have BearMoose Brewing Company. It’s located in Everett, a short drive from the city center of Boston.

It’s a little challenging to find, but once you spot the large wood doors, usually propped open with beer kegs, you know you’re in the right place.

This chill beer garden is great for relaxing after a long day exploring. BearMoose is a smaller brewery with eight beers currently on tap.

Even though they have a smaller selection, they’re still a fantastic place to visit. The Brown Beagle brown ale, Illegal Pour oatmeal stout, and Crimzen weissbier were some of the most popular choices when I was there.


Whether you’re into stouts, porters, IPAs, lagers, or another type of beer, there’s a beer garden in the city that you’re sure to love.

As the best beer gardens in Boston, you’ll enjoy great drinks, incredible atmospheres, and maybe make a new friend or two while you’re there. Plus, they’re great places to eat and drink while getting some fresh air!

Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!

Why Trust Us?

When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Bostonmagazine.com and Axios.com. 

We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible. 

Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.

https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/outdoor-beer-gardens/
https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/05/04/outdoor-beer-gardens-boston
https://bostonuncovered.com/beer-gardens-boston/
https://www.meetboston.com/blog/post/boston-beer-and-wine-gardens/
https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/20-beer-gardens-now-open-in-the-boston-area-for-the-2021-season
https://www.timeout.com/boston/bars/best-beer-gardens-in-boston

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.