I think we can all agree that one of the best moments at university is the instant your tutorial ends—when you and your friends reconvene and head to a pub garden at a desperately fast pace, smiles on your faces!
There’s nothing quite like sipping a crisp drink with the temperamental sun shining on your face, sitting at the table you stalked for ages to secure, and chatting nonsense with your friends—all while ignoring the ten essays you have due. It’s a feeling you can only understand by experiencing it… and I highly recommend that you do!
It seems to me that the connection between a sunny day and an excursion to a pub garden is fundamentally ingrained in us. Is it natural instinct? Or a modern phenomenon?
After asking my parents about their university days, I can confirm that outdoor drinking is by no means a new tradition. So, why do we love it so much? And what makes it superior to a typical pub experience?
For me, the atmosphere of a pub garden is what makes it special. Unlike the crowded, often stuffy interior of a pub, there’s usually more space (unless you’ve accidentally shown up during a Six Nations game). It’s airier, more relaxed, and undeniably more aesthetic with its picnic tables and fairy lights.
As I near the end of my second year in Edinburgh, I have certainly developed opinions on pubs, pub gardens, and the best drinking spots in the city.
You can’t go wrong with The Pear Tree, which I find almost always packed in spring after 4pm lectures. The drinks are reasonably priced, the chips are decent, and best of all—it’s close to campus.
One of my absolute favourites is The Royal Dick at Summerhall. Although their drinks might set you back a bit, the cosy yet lively atmosphere is worth every penny.
For Old Town lovers, Cold Town House is an absolute must-visit. After all, who wouldn’t want to sip drinks on an Edinburgh rooftop beer garden while indulging in Neapolitan pizza?
While British pub culture is often criticised for being exclusive to drinkers, I believe the joy of sitting in a pub garden with friends is not dependent on alcohol. For me, an ice-cold lemonade in the sun has the same uplifting effect. So, if you don’t drink, don’t let that put you off socialising in a pub garden—the experience is just as enjoyable without it!
Photo by Sarah Donovan on Unsplash