These Are The Alfresco Bars We’ll Be Hanging Out In This Summer

Franks Cafe. You tell someone you're going to an outdoor bar in London and nine times out of ten they'll say, 'Where, Frank's?' Yup, it's back. Popping up just for the summer months up high atop a multi-storey car park, Frank's Cafe has well and truly cemented Peckham as the epicentre of alfresco drinking in London. Good views, good vibes, good drinks if what this place is all about. Benches are bound to be full so dress appropriately for sitting cross-legged on the decking. And expect a queue at the bar, there will be one. But on a sunny evening, it's so worth it. Trust.

We're calling it one of the coolest spots in Brixton (alas, all the locals know it too well — expect crowds), Grand Union was made for outdoor summer drinking sessions. Nestled between the numerous fried chicken shops and barbers on the stretch of no man's land that joins Brixton and Clapham North, this is a hidden gem of a pub with a garden that triumphs. Think flickering candles, landscaped walkways, controlled fires, string lights and sheltered huts, that, with a Mai Tai in your hand on a balmy summer's night would have you feeling like your somewhere far more exotic than Brixton. Plus, there's good grub. Sharing plates, meaty burgers and hearty portions of fries make this place a no-brainer.

It's all happening in Hackney Wick what with pop-ups, top nights and new concept stores taking the neighbourhood's kudos up a notch. The latest thing buzzing with the locals is the transformation of Number 90's terrace. The urban, awesome space created with reclaimed wood and decorated with art installations from local artists has you perched outside on the canal side as you sip up Brazilian spiked smoothies and cocktails, embrace the music from the live DJs and chow down on the pop-up BBQ-ed grub. Be it a date, a low-key bev' or a mash up with friends, it's the ultimate spot for whiling away a long summer's night. 90 Main Yard

If you originally hail from the countryside like many of us living in the capital do, you know what a good British pub garden is. Fresh air, space, empty benches, views of rolling hills, it goes on. So when you come to London, finding one that comes anywhere near as good is a serious challenge, all compromised by crowds, lack of breathing space and definitely nowhere to rest your feet. But then there's People's Park, one of a handful of London pubs which boasts a genuinely good garden. Situated on the edge of Victoria Park, you get the greenness that you do in the country, the picnic benches that we know and love, along with the good vibes and hipster crowd like that of an East London hotspot. Complete with pop-up BBQ through the summer months and an in-house micro-brewery, grab a cold pint of People's Pint and chillax for the rest of the afternoon.

Picture this: it's a Saturday afternoon, you've dragged your man up and down Oxford Street — twice — and now he's moaning, you're tired, and you're both damn thirsty. Selfridges to the rescue. No, not Hix, nor the coffee bar. Now there's a new watering hole that's far cooler, heaps buzzier and most importantly, outdoors. Recreating the vibes of a summer garden party or the Polo, there's astro-turf, potted plants, flower-strewn lanterns and a marque-like awning. If you're sticking around, go for lunch and make the most of your visit with a sit-down meal of Des McDonald's delicious Q Grill fare (the seafood here is pretty much perfect). But if it is just a thirst quencher you're after, pull up a stool at the bar and soak up the afternoon rays as you sip a fruity cocktail or flute of bubbles.

As one of Hoxton's most renown bars, The Queen of Hoxton is all about the al fresco drinking, with its open-all-year-round rooftop being the star attraction. Complete with string lights, frozen cocktails, good music, seating and an all-too-gluggable vodka iced tea, what more could you want on a balmy evening? It's conveniently close to Liverpool Street and a stone's throw distance from Shoreditch High Street Station, making it the perfect spot to meet friends for a boozy Thursday night. And if you're lucky and plan ahead, you might time it well enough to catch one of its outdoor rooftop movie screenings which run through the summer months.

Sky high above the Strand, Radio Rooftop on top of Hotel ME provides one of the best vistas in the city. Marvel the skyline while you sip your Pinot Grigio and sit with your feet up on a chic, leather sun lounger. One of the swankiest watering holes in our roundup, let this be your 'maxi dress' drinkery, saving your sneakers and crop tops for elsewhere. Whilst it's not intimidatingly classy, it's worth sprucing yourself up for. Conveniently central, it's perfect for a sneaky after-work tipple or two (okay, it's never just two). The bar is open late but thanks to the view, it’s equally impressive during the day. In keeping with the location’s history (it was the location of the BBC’s first broadcast), the cocktail menu stars a selection of themed tipples, such as the AM/FM and the Radio-Active. A bit of culture with our cocktail, we like it.

Okay, technically this isn't a 'bar', it's a street food market but it's definitely outdoors so it counts. Now in its fourth season running, Red Market is back, this year transforming a 20,000 square foot car park on Old Street roundabout into a buzzy, evening watering hole, with new vendors, new offerings and old crowds — the old regulars just can't keep away. Open Wednesday through Saturday nights through the summer months, expect hipster crowds, relaxed atmosphere, DJs on the decks, and plenty of street food options to fend off the following morning's hangover.

The Ship : This pub is nothing too special on the inside but then you step outdoors and you get the hype. The giant beer garden overlooks the River Thames, offering both gentle breeze and epic views, whilst the space itself is roomy, buzzy and relaxed. It's not the easiest of venues to find — so maybe not one for a first date — but when you do it's worth it. And go hungry because the BBQ-ed Coca Cola-glazed ribs aren't ones to to be missed. On Thursday you get live music and pub quiz fans should pen it in their diaries for Wednesday nights. Its buzzy atmosphere is the perfect antidote to a busy working week. Bottoms up.