The Best Beer Gardens in Deptford

With summer well underway, everyone is clamouring for some beer garden action. Luckily, we’re not short of those in SE8. So we’ve put together a guide to the top beer gardens in Deptford.

THE VICTORIA

This Deptford institution recently re-opened after a takeover and renovation, and has quickly established itself as having some of the tastiest food you’ll find in Deptford. But that’s not all – it also has a spacious beer garden round the side. Whether it’s an alfresco late morning brunch, lunchtime burger, or a Sunday roast, you’ll never go wrong at The Vic.

DEPTFORD MARKET YARD

Opened in 2015, Deptford Market Yard and boasts one of the best outdoor drinking spaces in the city. Utilising a row of disused railway arches below a carriage ramp, it is home to a number of independent businesses, bars, and restaurants – many with their own seating area on the outdoor terrace. You can spend the whole day making your way along the street. In fact, here’s a suggested schedule.

Stop off at Little Nan’s for a boozy brunch, head to Jars Bar for bespoke cocktails and vodka infusions, grab some fresh sourdough pizza and some local microbrewed beer in Taproom later in the afternoon, before chilling out to some tunes outside Aaja Deptford as the sun sets. With that lineup, you needn’t step inside all day – except for a flick through Aaja’s vinyl rack, that is.

THE BROOKMILL

Situated close to Brookmill Park, The Brookmill is the ideal place to stop off after a sunny summer stroll. It has a beautiful, bright and leafy beer garden at the back. And if it’s not so sunny that’s fine too, because it’s partially covered and heated throughout. The Brookmill prides itself on being one of the best pubs to catch sport, so if you’re following the British Lions tour this summer, this is the place to be.

​THE DOG & BELL

This legendary Princes St spot is a traditional London pub with real ales and a great Sunday roast, with the addition of fantastic vegan options. It’s had a leafy courtyard around the back for years, one of the most popular beer gardens in Deptford. And following lockdown, they’ve taken the opportunity to install plenty of covered outdoor seating on the street. It’s a proper local pub with very friendly and welcoming regulars. Grab yourselves one of their selection of board games, plonk yourself down in the courtyard with a pint, and soak up some rays.

​THE BIRDS NEST

This historic Deptford pub is also a live music and arts venue, as well as a hostel. They have a large beer garden out front – partially covered, so it’s perfect for those rainy days, or for when you just need to get into some shade. In a previous life it was the Oxford Arms; a hub for musicians of London which played host to the likes of Squeeze and Dire Straits. It has continued in this tradition, remaining one of the best venues in the area for independent music.