Go Outside

7 October 2014 | 2:48 pm | Erika Donald

Beer gardens are great places as is, but here are a few that bring something different to the table.

The Ivy Pool Club – Level 4, 1/330 George St, Sydney

Designed with a heavy dose of the ‘60s in mind, the Ivy Pool Club fuses a combination of bright colours, stylish décor and that beachy feel. And of course, as the name suggests, it has a pool! This venue is based around the gigantic pool and the private booths that run alongside it. If the weather’s hot, guests are encouraged to strip off and cool down in the shallow water.

The Local Taphouse – 122 Flinders St, Darlinghurst

If you’re in Sydney and you want to try out some boutique brews, The Local Taphouse is the place to do so! Besides being able to taste 20 boutique beers on tap, this venue has a little something else to offer. A rooftop ‘silent’ cinema allows you to experience some choice films without being audibly disturbed by other potentially not-so-sober patrons.

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El Topo – 500 Oxford St, Bondi Junction

Authentic gourmet Mexican cuisine is abundant at El Topo, and this venue features a beautifully designed beer garden to enjoy it in. The bright, colourful paintings joyfully clash with the patterned tables and funky knick knacks in the huge outdoor space. Apart from a huge selection of tequilas and cocktail, you can also sample some roasted crickets. Yep, you read that right.

SoCal – 1 Young St, Neutral Bay

Experienced restaurateurs Hamish Watts and Ben Carroll have come together to create this Southern Californian-themed recluse in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. The boys have travelled to California themselves and returned to Sydney with a fresh idea of a sunny rooftop bar with share plates and seafood and North America-inspired flavours.