Beer gardens on Long Island
The Garden Social Ale and a pretzel with mustard and cheese sauce at Garden Social in East Meadow. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Claudio's Beer Garden (111 Main St., Greenport): This Greenport waterfront fixture, 150 years old and recently refurbished, added a beer garden during the pandemic. Turf runs underneath and strings of lights above picnic tables where guests can nosh on warm pretzels, bratwurst, kielbasa and German potato salad — or, well, pizza. German and domestic beers are joined by frozen cocktails and hard seltzers, while games of cornhole and movie nights add another layer of fun. More info: 631-477-0627, claudios.com
Dark Horse Tavern (12 S. Park Ave., Rockville Centre): This pub provides a buoyant crowd and a laid-back, old-world-style place to mingle, watch a game and enjoy bar food. Specializing in craft beer and a seven-hour happy hour, it also features a large courtyard that's open all year. Other locations at 273 Main St. in Farmingdale and 1029A Park Blvd. in Massapequa Park. More info: 516-442-5477, darkhorservc.com
Garden Social (1964 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow): Outside, the landscaped "beer garden" sits beneath a towering cedar pergola. The 24 taps feature Long Island and New York State beers almost exclusively, plus cider and rosé from Wölffer Estate in Sagaponack. There are even more craft beers in bottles and cans. More info: 516-750-5338, gardensocialli.com
Main Street Tavern (177 Main St., Amagansett): The former Indian Wells Tavern was transformed into this new, outdoor-oriented hangout with a 54-seat beer garden of blond-wood picnic tables flanked by shrubs and planters. The 10 tapped, canned and bottled beers are a blend of local (Montauk Wave Chaser) and not-so-local (Peroni); the eats runs to pub staples such as wings, burgers, a lobster roll and fish & chips, plus a few hearty salads for more virtuous revelers. More info: 631-267-0400, mainstreettavern.com
Plattduetsche Park Restaurant (1132 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square): This century-old German American restaurant with an outdoor area is the closest Long Island has to a traditional German beer garden, with tables spread across a concrete patio. There is also an outdoor bar, a bratwurst pit, a dance floor and a bandshell, where cover bands get the party started. More info: 516-354-3131, parkrestaurant.com
Southampton Publick House (62 Jobs Lane, Southampton): Like many venues, this classic tavern has shifted service outside due to the pandemic; fortunately, they already had an pretty patio and outdoor bar in place. Grab one of the house-brewed beers, such as Double White or Burton IPA, to accompany the classic pub fare. More info: 631-283-2800, publick.com
Prost Grill & Garten (652 Franklin Ave., Garden City): Prost’s patio with three picnic tables is part of the restaurant's sudsy appeal, furthered by Spaten Oktoberfest and Hofbräu Original. Main dining area sports tables made from old bowling alley wood, the German eagle flag, the blue-and-white banner of Bavaria, and a hearty menu with wursts (bock-, brat- and knock-), crab cakes, shrimp salad, salmon, burgers and chicken wings. More info: 516-427-5215, prostgrill.com
Repeal XVIII Cocktail Lounge & Beer Garden (30 New St., Huntington): Rustic lounge atmosphere with two rooms, each having its own bar, in addition to an outdoor beer garden. Craft cocktails and beer menus, large screen TVs and a giant 165-inch screen. Large selection of local, domestic and imported craft beers. More info: 631-629-5878, repealxviii.com
