Ten unique and different spots to have a drink in the sun

Does this spring sunshine make you a little restless too? Do you feel like going outside? The Spotted by Locals city guides have plenty of crazy places where you can enjoy the sunshine. Go out, have a good time and enjoy some drinks in the sun in these unique and different spots we’ve selected for you. Enjoy a freshly brewed beer in the Paname Brewing Company in Paris or have a cocktail on top of a cruise ship deck of La Grand Dame in Rotterdam.

More of a tea person? In Rota do Chá in Porto you can enjoy your cup of tea in the coziest garden in the city! This area of the city is filled with creative fuel. Here you will find a lot of contemporary art galleries, trendy stores, and hip bars. Jazz lover? We got you covered! In Antwerp, you can enjoy good vibes, tapas, jazz, and a lot of plants all in one place at Bar d’Henri. We have selected ten favorite sunny spots with a twist to have a drink. What better way to enjoy the spring sun?

Want to discover them all with us? Download our Spotted by Locals app The Spotted by Locals app to discover all spots!

Image by Besha Rizgar

Nau Bostik – Barcelona

Image by Ilse de Ridder

Nau Bostik in Barcelona is a leftover gem from the industrial revolution. It’s located in the Poble Nou area, a popular neighborhood where many old factories are getting new purposes. Nau Bostik is an awesome example of how Barcelona is converting industrial leftovers into contemporary cultural centers. This edgy event space is located in an old glue factory!

The purpose of this place is that it’s used for social and cultural activities for the neighborhood, but every month there are also events at this location. For example the Barcelona Vintage Market, with food trucks, great music and of course lots of vintage clothes! Eat Street is another popular Barcelona event that’s usually hosted in Nau Bostik. It’s a street food festival that has a different theme every single time. Both events are well worth attending; keep an eye on their websites for further information. Nau Bostik’s Facebook page provides a comprehensive summary of current activities and exhibitions.

Spotted by Ilse de Ridder

Topo – Lisbon

Image by Nuno Lopes de Paula

For the perfect combination of beautiful views and good drinks and food, head to Martim Moniz Square in Lisbon and take the elevator upstairs. Here you will find Topo, a lovely rooftop bar overlooking the old quarters of the city.

Spotted by Nuno Lopes de Paula

Paname Brewing Company – Paris

Image by Adam Roberts

Paris boats more and more breweries in the city and in the suburbs. The city may not be famous for its beer, but this is changing. One of these breweries is the Paname Brewing Company, it also operates as a bar/restaurant and is located in an enviable location next to a canal. The combination of the good beers and food with the front terrace really is enough to make you forget about wine altogether!

Spotted by Adam Roberts

Black Duck Garden – Athens

Image by Andreas Papadopoulos

When visiting Athens you might want to take a break from the car horns and shouting while walking around Athens’ busy city center. Black Duck Garden is an oasis where you can take a break from reality.

This beautiful building, which is now part of the Athens City Museum, was built in 1833. The garden is excellent for a drink, a bite to eat, or simply reading a book. Only birds and wonderful music played at the appropriate volume will be heard. This location also serves as a gallery and an event venue. They occasionally host music performances, parties, and art exhibitions.

Spotted by Andreas Papadopoulos

Rota do Chá – Porto

Image by Luisateixeira

Rota do Chá in Porto is a beautiful oriental oasis for tea lovers. When the weather is good, this place has an outstanding garden to enjoy your cup of tea in the beautiful spring sun. This tea lover heaven has a real oriental vibe and a menu with more than 300 blends to choose from, coming from all over the world! Black tea, green tea, white tea, floral, fruity, spicy,… Of course, tea is not the only thing they offer, if you have a small hunger or a sugar craving, Rota do Chá offers daily fresh pastry like homemade chocolate cake, mango pie, or apple muffins. Whether you want to chill out after a day of walking around Porto, you’re looking for a place to hang out and enjoy a relaxed afternoon or you’re looking for a sunny garden to enjoy a ‘cup of zen’, Rota do Chá may just be the perfect option!

Spotted by Marta Macedo

Holzmarkt – Berlin

Image by Christina Focken

The Holzmarkt in Berlin is often described as an urban utopia by the river. The founders of the famous club Kater Blau next door created this place. Holzmarkt, whether you call it a creative village or a community initiative, is its own little universe along the Spree river. The vision of the founders is: “to attract the people from Berlin and all over the world, bring them together and bring them joy and inspiration”.

There’s a hairdresser, a bakery, a wine shop, a kindergarten, a restaurant, a tattoo studio, a co-working space, art studios, rehearsal rooms, and a lot more to discover. This is also; the perfect place to meet up with friends for a drink, either on one of the terraces, among the creative and colorful decoration, or just at the shore of the Spree.

Spotted by Christina Focken

Pop Brixton – London

Image by Ellie Swain

Pop Brixton in South-West London, is a perfect combination of delicious street food booths, chic restaurants, and specialty bars. DJs and musicians take over the stage on Fridays and Saturdays, making Pop Brixton the ideal pit stop for a big night out.

The space is a temporary project that has transformed disused land into a creative hub for local, independent businesses. Take a look around the room if you want to learn more about some of South East London’s most exciting new brands. Although open-air during the summer, in the colder months, fortunately, the hub is roofed.

Spotted by Ellie Swain

Bar d’Herni – Antwerp

Image by Seger De Maesschalck

If you’re looking for good vibes, tapas, jazz, and a lot of plants all in one place, Bar d’Henri in Antwerp is your go-to! This bar has it all! The menu is all vegetarian, but don’t worry my dear carnivores, it all just tastes like heaven. When the weather is nice, sit outside, because Bar d’Henri has one of the sunniest terraces in the city! And last but not least every Thursday night, there is Jazz d’Henri, a free jazz gig evening.

Spotted by Petra Bartholomeeussen

La Grand Dame – Rotterdam

Image by ss Rotterdam

La Grande Dame in Rotterdam was built in the 1950s and has been a popular transatlantic liner and a cruise ship for over 40 years, before returning to her birthplace for a permanent mooring and a new career. La Grande Dame is currently a museum, a hotel, a restaurant, an office space, and an escape room all rolled into one. Because this ship is so large, it can do all of these things at once while still having room to spare. It’s really like a floating city! The cafe on the restored top deck is definitely the most enjoyable section of the ship. Here you can have a cocktail in the sun with views all over the city. There’s even a paddle pool (for kids) during the summer months.

Spotted by Michael Afanasyev

Zur Christl – Vienna

Image by Linda Nepicks

Vineyards, small colorful houses, good wine, and tasty food. Is this still Vienna? Yes, it is! In this area, you will find a lot of taverns with wine cellars and vineyards in the back gardens. The best thing about it: no tourist crowds in charter buses will get in your way. Here in Stammersdorf, you can enjoy old-school wine-tasting! The best part of Zur Christl is definitely the terrace, you don’t come here to sit inside! Upstairs lures a lovely terrace where one’s eye can linger over the vineyards to the churches and skyscrapers of the city in the blurry distance.

Spotted by Linda Nepicks