Tap into Summer in the Great Outdoors

As the weather heats up, a great way to spend time outdoors is at a local beer garden or rooftop bar with an ice-cold drink. Here are a few of our favorite local spots to check out.

Around Chester County

Brothers on the Brandywine Beer Garden. Set along the scenic Brandywine River, Brothers Kershner Brewing Co. hosts a seasonal beer garden on Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. Enjoy live music, food trucks, wine and locally brewed beer along with special events like Christmas in July and the Brandywine Music Festival. 2100 Strasburg Rd., Coatesville. BrothersKershner.com/Beer-Garden

The Creamery of Kennett Square. Head to the rustic, converted former 1902 Eastern Condensed Milk Company building for a community atmosphere and great brews. Select craft beers on tap or in cans, plus wine, cocktails, hard seltzer and kombucha. Order food from the kitchen or from the rotating group of food trucks on site on weekends. String lights + live music on the weekends = a great time. 401 Birch St., Kennett Square. KennettCreamery.com

Levante Taproom & at Highland Orchards. Set in an industrial park and right next to the brewery, this taproom serves the freshest beer possible. Sample 20 taps plus hard ciders, frozen granitas and more options. Food trucks parked outside offer a unique food selection each visit, or BYOF (bring your own food). Also check out their Highland Orchards location for the weekend beer garden. 208 Carter Dr., Ste. 2, West Chester. 1000 Marshallton Thorndale Rd., West Chester. LevanteBrewing.com

Longwood Gardens. Surrounded by lush greenery, the beer garden in Longwood Gardens is a real gem. Most Fridays and weekends, there’s live music to enjoy along with signature brews, including from Victory Brewing, wine and Bavarian pretzels, pizza or bratwurst. Open until August 31 (except Tuesdays), weather permitting. Garden admission tickets are required to access the beer garden. 1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square. LongwoodGardens.org/Dine/Beer-Garden

The Stables Kitchen and Beer Garden. With indoor and outdoor seating, it’s fun here rain or shine for the whole family — there’s a kid-friendly section, plus leashed pets are welcome, and a 21+ area for adults seeking a laidback vibe. Located next to the Gunther Sunflower Field, the views couldn’t be better. Go for trivia on Wednesdays, special drink deals on Thursdays or live music on Saturdays. Open Wednesday–Sunday. 160 Park Rd., Chester Springs. TheStablesBeerGarden.com

Suburban in Sadsburyville: Beer Garden. Sip craft beers and eat the best seafood south of Maine from the Wicked Good Food Trailer. Enjoy live music and play games with the whole family — including furry friends — as you spread out on the lawn. Open May 24 until October 27, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Note: the Exton location closed. 3000 Lincoln Hwy., Parkesburg. SuburbanBG.com

Wilmington

Constitution Yards. The new location — just across the street — for this seasonal beer garden is set along the Christina Riverwalk. This dog-friendly spot has live music on Fridays and Saturdays along with classic American food and rotating craft beers plus specialty cocktails. Grab a picnic table or Adirondack chair and kick back. 308 Justison St., Wilmington. ConstitutionYards.com

Makers Alley. Offering unique charm, this hip rooftop beer garden in downtown Wilmington is a great find. The 1964 converted Airstream kitchen has delicious food — crab fries, soft tacos, miso BBQ burger (2023 Delaware Burger Battle winner) — that pairs well with the wide variety of beer, wine and cocktails. Happy Hours on Tuesdays– Fridays, 4 to 6 p.m. 804 N. Orange St., Wilmington. MakersAlleyDE.com

Wilmington Brew Works. In the style of a German beer hall and the only production brewery in Wilmington, the Brew Works is a great spot for a cold drink, open every day. They produce a variety of beers and hard ciders for all tastes, served on the front patio with a pergola and back patio covered in native plants (open to leashed pets). Right by Haynes Park, it’s perfect for everyone! 3129 Miller Rd., Wilmington. WilmingtonBrewWorks.com

Delaware and Montgomery Counties

Bierhaul Farmhouse. Savor delicious food and sample 22 draft beers, cider and ale. Sit on the patio to enjoy a breeze and play cornhole while you munch on inglorious bratwurst, steamed mussels or the schnitz. Head up to the attic for comedy shows, poetry readings, live music and other special events. 341 Thornton Rd., Thornton. Bierhaul.com

Iron Gate Biergarten. Delight in freshly brewed beer and the industrial vibe. This dog-friendly beer garden is the perfect spot to enjoy the season. Sample exclusively Pennsylvania-sourced beer and spirits while you eat food from a rotating selection of food trucks. 230 E. High St., Pottstown. On Instagram @IronGateBiergarten

Pinocchio’s Beer Garden To-Go. Media’s oldest restaurant offers over 1,000 specialty beers at their to-go beer garden. Have a pint while you choose your mixand- match six-pack or fill up a growler or crowler from 25 rotating drafts. Head into the restaurant for great pizza, stromboli and wings. Sit on the patio with your food and a cool brew. 131 E. Baltimore Ave., Media. PinBeer.com

Ship Bottom Beer Garden at Linvilla Orchards. After a relaxing day at Linvilla Orchards, indulge in an ice-cold brew from Ship Bottom Brewery. Choose the specialty Linvilla Orchards hard cider or a selection of draft brews from the rad beer van. Delight in every bite of woodfired pizza while you play jumbo Connect 4. 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media. Linvilla.com/Family-Fun/Ship-Bottom-Brewery

Sterling Pig Brewery. Gather good friends and head to Sterling Pig Brewery to dine at the outdoor picnic tables. Food options include smoked brisket, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and brewhouse pretzels. Enjoy cans of their specialty brews or select from their cocktail menu for more options. 609 W. State St., Media. SterlingPig.com

Rooftop Bars

Looking to bring the fun to new levels? Check out these local rooftop bars.

Azie. This Japanese-fusion restaurant offers a rooftop experience for taking in the action in Media. Sample premium sakes, Asian beers, Champagnes, wine and seasonal craft cocktails while indulging in an assortment of sushi. This chic spot shouldn’t be missed. 217 W. State St., Media. Azie-Restaurant.com

Bistro on Bridge. Perfect for date night, this rooftop beer garden offers discounts with a ticket from nearby Colonial Theatre. Plenty of food options — bang bang shrimp, teriyaki chicken bowls, buffalo chicken flatbreads — plus arcade games and shuffleboard to enjoy while you sip a beer from the converted VW bus on the rooftop. 212 Bridge St., Phoenixville. BistroOnBridge.com

Buckley’s Tavern. This historic spot added a renovated rooftop bar and grill, where you can enjoy casual American comfort foods like Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, chicken pot pie, Buckley’s macaroni & cheese and, of course, beer. Join the locals and toast the season. 5812 Kennett Pk., Wilmington. BuckleysTavern.com

Grain. Experience Kennett Square in a whole new way on Third Thursdays when State Street is closed from Broad to Center, and Grain opens its doors to outdoor seating. Not the third Thursday? No worries. Enjoy the outdoors up on the roof. 108 W. State St., Kennett Square. MeetAtGrain.com

Más Mexicali Cantina. Sample Mexican cuisine — enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, tacos y mas — while sipping specialty drinks. With over 100 tequila options and daily drink specials, there’s always more to try. Watch the sunset from the rooftop for the best view in West Chester. 102 E. Market St., West Chester. MasMexicali.com

Off the Rail. Grab a drink at the rooftop bar or dine on the rooftop patio. While you sip, enjoy live music or catch the game on a drive-in-size projector. Food options include goodies like Buffalo cauliflower, blackened blue burger and fried pickles. 109 W. State St., Media. OffTheRailMedia.com

Station 142. One of the newest spots in West Chester, Station 142 is a popping spot for a drink. Choose the rooftop for enjoying great drinks and appetizers to snack on with live music in the background. Choose from 20 draft lines, cocktails and wine selections. 142. E. Market St., West Chester. Station142.com

Looking for more? Check out “High Spirits” on our website. Find locations in Lancaster City for a rooftop bar crawl!

Pop-Up Beer Gardens

Surprise! Your new favorite beer spot might be popping up near you. Check out these!

Pints on the Preserve at ChesLen Preserve — July 12, 3 p.m., Second Saturdays
East Branch Brewing Company returns to Lenfest Center pavilion for the monthly Pints on the Preserve. Bring supplies for a picnic or buy snacks (cash only) before hiking the preserve’s 14+ miles of trails. Come early for the family edition with crafts, games and scavenger hunt. Until November. Free, registration required. 1199 Cannery Rd., Coatesville. NatLands.org/Events-News/PintsOnThePreserve

Third Thursdays at Nemours Estate — July 17 & August 21, 5 p.m.
Head to Nemours Estate to enjoy the gardens while sipping a beer from Wilmington Brew Works. Relax to live music and savor bites from local food trucks like Albie’s Burgers, DE Mex Street Food and Ennis BBQ or pack your own picnic. $12, free for under 6. 1600 Rockland Rd., Wilmington. NemoursEstate.org

Summer Pop-Up Beer Garden Series at Uptown! — July 19 & August 9
Pop-up beer gardens return, and they’re perfect for all ages. Come for live music like The Joshua Tree: A U2 Tribute or The Dave Matthews Tribute Band. Enjoy lawn games and treats from local food trucks. Free. 226 N. High St., West Chester. UptownWestChester.org/Summer-Pop-Up-Beer-Garden-Series

Summer Pop-up Biergartens at Historic Sugartown — August 21
Come for their final biergarten of the season. Explore historic buildings while sipping drinks from Locust Lane Craft Brewery, Manatawny Still Works and Chaddsford Winery plus bites from food trucks. BYO chairs, blankets, family members — including leashed dogs — for live music and craft vendors. $15, free for under 18. 273 Boot Rd., Malvern. HistoricSugartown.org