Patio Season Starts Here

After a long winter, Londoners like to spill outside into courtyards, rooftops, sidewalks, and hidden gardens to soak up some much-needed rays and sip a couple tasty beverages. Whether you’re chasing craft beer, date-night ambiance, or a laid-back brunch in the sun, London’s patio scene delivers serious range.Here are some of LiveLondon Magazine’s favourite patios to soak up the season. These are the patios built for summer nights, skyline views, music, and crowded tables.Toboggan Brewing Company – A rooftop patio with skyline views, wood-fired pizza, and local brew and has one of the best vantage points of the strip and the park. 585 Richmond StOwner Charlie Smith says, “Just being outside in the sun, having music playing, and enjoying the atmosphere. You spend all winter. I think having that extra capacity is huge, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. It means we can have more people in the bar, and it’s nice being able to offer a different kind of space where people can enjoy lunch, dinner, and drinks outside.”Ale House London – Right on Dundas Place, their front patio is perfect for people-watching during festivals and downtown events but there’s also the side and back for quieter moments.289 Dundas StBurt’s Bar – A newer Richmond Row stop with a social patio feel, cold beer, hearty food, and a central location made for catching the downtown buzz. 539 Richmond StCovent Garden Market Patio – Not a rooftop but one of downtown’s best open-air gathering spots, with plenty of seating, market food, and a perfect perch before or after Canada Life Place events. 130 King St For cocktails, special dinners, wine nights, and summer elegance.West Social – Located in West 9, stylish, modern, and popular restaurant with a patio overlooking the high-speed growth of the neighbourhood. 1886 Oxford St W, Suite 101Dolcetto – Italian-inspired elegance with a great, polished patio, perfect for a chilled white, an affogato and long summer nights. 3020 Colonel Talbot RdDelilah’s – Stylish, modern, and built for cocktails. And dancing. This patio leans upscale without losing its fun edge. 209 Dundas StPartner Derek Hsiung says, “Our large space and endless greenery, with popping colourful flowers, provides a beautiful backdrop for our new offerings. With a special every night, you will find something for everyone. And after 10 p.m., you can be sure to find the party getting started at Delilah’s. Patio season at Delilah’s is so important as the city loses a large part of its downtown frequenters. Having a patio like ours paired with some great drinks and great times this keeps us going year-round.”Taverna 13thirtyone – A Hyde Park gem with lush greenery and a refined atmosphere making it one of the city’s most beautiful patios. 1331 Hyde Park RdDimi’s Greek House – A longtime London favourite blending Greek tradition with modern flair, all served on a lively patio built for long summer dinners and shared plates. 551 Richmond StManager Kathleen Curran says, “Dimi’s patio feels like a little Mediterranean escape in the middle of the city. Fresh Greek food — our lamb chops are a MUST TRY — cocktails, and the energy of Richmond Row in the summer make it the kind of place people settle into and stay for hours. A few of everyone’s favourite cocktails this season are our Midnight in Mykonos pistachio espresso martini, Santorini Sunrise — a tropical escape in a glass — and Hebe’s Kiss, the most beautiful lychee martini for summer nights on the patio.”

Idlewyld Inn & Spa – Romantic and refined, this Victorian-era garden patio is one of the most beautiful in the city, perfect for brunch, tea or an elegant evening out. 36 Grand AveThe Church Key Bistro-Pub – Intimate, tree-shaded, and steps from the Grand Theatre and Victoria Park. Refined pub fare such as the Cock-a-Leekie Cottage Pie and the British charcuterie are sure bets. 476 Richmond StAsher’s Lounge & Patio – A quieter, upscale patio experience with a farm-to-table focus and garden views. 551 Windermere Rd,High-Energy Patios & Summer Party SpotsBarney’s Patio – A London institution and one of the largest patios in the city, known for its high-energy, social atmosphere and live music. 671 Richmond StManager Stephen Granger says, “The fact that absolutely everyone’s in a great mood. People are excited for the end of winter, and when they come out, everyone’s just really happy to be outside again. There are never any issues, everyone’s just excited to enjoy the weather. (Good weather) means we can open up our massive patio again, which means more people. It also means hiring season and training season, so there’s definitely some extra stress that comes with it, but we have it all under control.”The Mule – A Richmond Row favourite with a vibrant, tucked-away patio. Think tacos, tequila flights, and a lively, graffiti-lit vibe that feels like summer in full swing. 523 Richmond StJoe Kools – A Richmond Row institution with one of the city’s best-known summer patios. Multi-level, always buzzing, and packed during game nights, weekends, and patio season. Lots to see.  Equal parts sports bar, nightlife hub, and downtown summer tradition. 595 Richmond StWinks – A downtown London classic known for wings, sports nights, and a laid-back patio scene. Winks has long been a go-to for casual summer afternoons, playoff games, late-night hangs, and one of the city’s most loyal local followings. 551 Richmond StOwner Adam Winkler says, “Patio season means everything to us. A rainy day in the summer in London isn’t great, you know? Although the nice thing about rainy days is people don’t head to their cottages as much, so they might stay in town more. We’re still open inside every day, but a sunny summer day is perfect for us. It’s what we live on, and it’s what brings everyone downtown to enjoy this beautiful city. The best thing about patio season is seeing everybody come out again after hibernating all winter. The students are gone, and you start seeing familiar faces you maybe haven’t seen in months. People are out enjoying the weather, looking for that suntan. It’s great, ice-cold beers, sangrias, happy faces. There’s not one frown on a sunny on a patio.”

Old South Village Pub – A Wortley Village staple with neighbourhood charm where almost everyone knows one another in a relaxed, welcoming patio scene with great food. 149 Wortley RdWaltzing Weasel – Cozy British pub vibes with a laid-back patio and always great for a quiet pint and classic comfort food. 1324 Adelaide St NRunt Club Pub – A true neighbourhood hangout off the strip with a quiet, shaded patio and loyal regulars. 338 Richmond StThe Bungalow Neighbourhood Hub – Cozy, friendly, and community-driven, this Old North patio feels like your favourite neighbourhood hangout or will soon be. 910 Waterloo St Storm Stayed Brewing Co. – A standout in London’s craft beer scene, with a relaxed patio and a reputation for small-batch creativity, sweet ciders and social events. 169 Wharncliffe Rd SPowerhouse Brewing Company – Industrial-chic brewery with a lively outdoor patio within the Kellog property, great for BBQ, craft beer, and Powerhouse Trivia and wing and beer combos every Wednesday all summer long. 100 Kellogg LnLondon Brewing Co‑operative – The first worker’s co-operative brewery in Canada outside of Quebec, this brewery always has something going on from Jam nights and Queeraoke to block parties, live bands and grand parties with food trucks and vendors. 521 Burbrook PlaceWorker-owner and Event Coordinator Jim MacDonald says, “For our business, patio season means an expansion of space. It allows us to create a bit more separation between the inside, where we host events and activities, and the patios, where people can enjoy something a little quieter. It gives guests more ways to experience the space depending on what kind of atmosphere they’re looking for. What excites us most about patio season is the abundance of people being here. We see a lot more families come through, and we put games out for kids to play. It creates a really nice place where people can still enjoy our beer and products while also spending time with family and friends.”Side Launch Brewing Company – Expansive beer garden patio with live music, events, and food trucks—one of the city’s newest patio scenes. 695 Sovereign RdBeerlab! – Experimental microbrewery with a small but energetic patio and rotating taps. 420 Talbot StAnderson Craft Ales – One of London’s original craft breweries in OEV with a welcoming patio and classic beer lineup. 1030 Elias StOwner Gavin Anderson says, “Well, patio season is really exciting for us because it’s a great opportunity for people to come together and hang out. When the weather’s nice and the evenings are long, it gives us more space to have people at the brewery too, because we have the expanded patio outside. So yeah, it’s exciting for us to have more people here. People can stay later, hang out with their friends, bring their dogs on the patio, and just have a great summer. It’s pretty seasonal where we see people having more social outings and getting together more when the weathers nice. So, for us, being able to have the patio and the expanded patio just means we’re able to have a lot more people here at once to enjoy the space.”Forked River Brewing Company – A go-to for craft beer lovers, with outdoor seating and a strong taproom culture. 45 Pacific CtMilos’ Craft Beer Emporium – A Richmond Row staple with one of the best craft beer selections in the city and a consistently busy patio scene. 420 Talbot St Black Walnut Bakery Café – A beloved Wortley Village stop with a relaxed patio, great coffee, fresh baking, and an easy neighbourhood feel. 724 Richmond St and 134 Wortley RdManager Samantha says, “I think it’s just the start of a new season. It shows that summer is finally here, and people are ready to get back out on patios. It’s exciting for everybody. Oh, it brings us so much business. Especially at our Richmond location downtown, people really come because of the size of our patio and the atmosphere here. Having a patio brings in so much business for us.”Bicycle CaféGreat spot near the park and a waking trail. Great ice cream. 130 Thames Valley ParkwayOrganique Cafe & Eatery A bright downtown café with a strong local following and sidewalk seating—great for people-watching on Richmond Row. 226 Dundas StCommonwealth Coffee Compact, modern coffee bar with street-facing outdoor seating in the heart of downtown. 478 Richmond StFire Roasted Coffee Roastery-style café with a relaxed vibe—perfect for a casual coffee stop with outdoor options. 350 Richmond StAsmara Coffee House A unique, globally inspired coffee spot known for its atmosphere—often enjoyed with casual outdoor seating in warmer months. 700 York StDeja Vu+ Cafe & Restaurant A popular all-day spot with generous portions and patio seating suited for longer, relaxed meals. 333 Richmond St.