Eat, drink and be merry
One of the best things about summer is the opportunity to eat, drink and socialize outdoors. From BBQs to pool parties; people just want
to be outside soaking up the sunshine or enjoying a warm, relaxed night with friends. Canadians have been wrapped up all winter, we're
ready to show some skin now and enjoy the fresh summer air!
At this time of year, restaurants and bars across the city are preparing their outdoor spaces to lure in patrons looking to enjoy a night out on the town! Some places go all out; offering full menus, comfortable seating and even heating lamps on their patios to keep their customers cozy all summer long. Bringing the indoor atmosphere of a bar or restaurant outdoors significantly increases its appeal in these hot, lazy days. No one wants to spend their night in a dark, stuffy club on a warm July night; it's time for your local hot spot to open the doors and string some patio lanterns!
If you're new to London, or if winter's chill kept you locked indoors for the last six months, this list should help you in finding the kind of patio you're craving this summer. Whether you're looking to dance the night away, share a pint with friends or enjoy a delicious meal under the stars, there's a patio in London just right for you.
Outdoor Clubbing
Barking Frog
209 John Street (at Richmond), 519-850-3764
www.barkingfrog.ca
Known for it's hot, crowded dance floor in the winter months, this club actually features one of the largest and best designed outdoor spaces in the city! If you've only sipped drinks at the main bar or relaxed in the upstairs loft; you are really missing out on what this place has to offer!
The Frog's patio is set-up over two levels with many unique areas. The main floor features a large patio that wraps around the front, side and back of the building with plenty of tables for large groups and cozy couches and chairs for relaxing. The top patio features high tables with bars stools, heated lamps and access to the upscale Atrium. Each area has it's own separate bar and offers full kitchen service.
The Barking Frog is pretty packed once the warm weather hits; with a dress code similar to UP's, the crowd is dressed to impress. This is a great chance to show off that summer beach body and enjoy the hot, summer nights!
PERFECT FOR: SUMMER BIRTHDAY PARTIES
UP on Carling
153 Carling Street, 519-434-6600
www.uponcarling.ca
Quickly gaining a reputation as one of London's most upscale clubs, UP on Carling offers a fantastic venue for friends looking to dress up for a night out. UP's dress code enforces “smart, casual” clothing on weekends that forbids athletic wear, hats, running shoes and ripped or baggy jeans; raising the bar when it comes to choosing your Saturday night outfit. UP's outdoor patio features gorgeous outdoor couches and chairs that will put your living room furniture to shame! Their outdoor area offers table service, a full bar and a great rooftop view of the summer night's sky.
Grab a cute dress, add some heels and tousle that beach hair, this is the place to see and be seen this summer.
PERFECT FOR: SINGLE HOTTIES
Jeans and t-shirts
Barney's Ceeps
671 Richmond Street, 519-432-1425
www.ceeps.com
Dressing up for a night out has its appeal, but sometimes you just want to slip into a comfortable pair of jeans and a cute t-shirt and meet with friends to relax! A place like Barney's on Richmond Row gives you front seats to the hustle and bustle of the downtown core, while offering a laid-back “picnic table” atmosphere. During the day, the patio is busy with lunch/dinner folks, but as night falls the place quickly fills up with the college/university crowd.
If you're looking for a snack, the patio offers typical pub food like wings, nachos and fries. There's plenty of beer on hand too; tapped and bottled imports and the Ceeps' own signature brew. The crowd is low-key and the location is fantastic for people watching. Barney's/Ceeps is a classic London stop for anyone looking for a good night on the patio this summer.
PERFECT FOR: PEOPLE-WATCHING WITH GOOD FRIENDS
Winks Eatery
551 Richmond Street, 519-936-5079
www.winkseatery.com
The venue hasn't been open that long, but has quickly become a mainstay for groups looking for a casual, clean place to hang out. Located just 25 steps from Richmond Row, there's often a line-up by 10pm, so get there early for a good seat! Featuring local acoustic artists indoors and a relaxed “back-deck” patio outdoors, Winks Eatery offers patrons a great alternative to the busy club-scene this summer. Winks menu offers favourites like pulled-pork sandwiches, fresh salads and fantastic sweet potato fries!
The bar stocks plenty of bottled imports or you can grab a pint (or two) and enjoy a spirited evening with friends on the sunny patio. See you there!
PERFECT FOR: GROUP DATES
Dining Under the Stars
Runt Club
155 Albert Street, 519-642-2300
If you're looking to turn your summer night into a summer romance, dining under the stars with your special someone certainly sets the tone! Offering one of the nicest patios in London, The Runt Club is a great choice for a late supper. Though its just steps from Richmond Row, the Runt Club still feels intimate and private. Surrounded by iron gates, shaded by elm trees and decorated with beautiful gardens, the Runt Club is as pretty as it is delicious! Offering diners the extensive menu from “sister-restaurant” Fellini Koolini's, the Runt Club allows you to enjoy a fantastic meal outdoors in style, or simply gather with a group of friends for drinks. The Runt Club is one of London's greatest hidden gems.
PERFECT FOR: A FIRST DATE
T J Baxter's Tap & Grill
660 Richmond Street, 519-642-2666
Over-looking Richmond Row, this rooftop patio offers a spectacular view of the popular shopping strip. The bar downstairs is often loaded with loud sports fans watching a game or the office crowd gathering for drinks after work. The upstairs patio is much quieter and offers a great, casual dining experience. In designing the patio, TJs thought of everyone; there are high tables with stools, a number of booths and a comfortable seating area with couches and chairs. The menu offers typical selections like wraps, salads, burgers and pasta; it's nothing fancy, but there's something for everyone! The patio includes a bar and heating lamps are strategically placed to offer a touch of extra warmth when the summer breeze picks up.
PERFECT FOR: FACEBOOK REUNIONS WITH HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS
At this time of year, restaurants and bars across the city are preparing their outdoor spaces to lure in patrons looking to enjoy a night out on the town! Some places go all out; offering full menus, comfortable seating and even heating lamps on their patios to keep their customers cozy all summer long. Bringing the indoor atmosphere of a bar or restaurant outdoors significantly increases its appeal in these hot, lazy days. No one wants to spend their night in a dark, stuffy club on a warm July night; it's time for your local hot spot to open the doors and string some patio lanterns!
If you're new to London, or if winter's chill kept you locked indoors for the last six months, this list should help you in finding the kind of patio you're craving this summer. Whether you're looking to dance the night away, share a pint with friends or enjoy a delicious meal under the stars, there's a patio in London just right for you.
Outdoor Clubbing
Barking Frog
209 John Street (at Richmond), 519-850-3764
www.barkingfrog.ca
Known for it's hot, crowded dance floor in the winter months, this club actually features one of the largest and best designed outdoor spaces in the city! If you've only sipped drinks at the main bar or relaxed in the upstairs loft; you are really missing out on what this place has to offer!
The Frog's patio is set-up over two levels with many unique areas. The main floor features a large patio that wraps around the front, side and back of the building with plenty of tables for large groups and cozy couches and chairs for relaxing. The top patio features high tables with bars stools, heated lamps and access to the upscale Atrium. Each area has it's own separate bar and offers full kitchen service.
The Barking Frog is pretty packed once the warm weather hits; with a dress code similar to UP's, the crowd is dressed to impress. This is a great chance to show off that summer beach body and enjoy the hot, summer nights!
PERFECT FOR: SUMMER BIRTHDAY PARTIES
UP on Carling
153 Carling Street, 519-434-6600
www.uponcarling.ca
Quickly gaining a reputation as one of London's most upscale clubs, UP on Carling offers a fantastic venue for friends looking to dress up for a night out. UP's dress code enforces “smart, casual” clothing on weekends that forbids athletic wear, hats, running shoes and ripped or baggy jeans; raising the bar when it comes to choosing your Saturday night outfit. UP's outdoor patio features gorgeous outdoor couches and chairs that will put your living room furniture to shame! Their outdoor area offers table service, a full bar and a great rooftop view of the summer night's sky.
Grab a cute dress, add some heels and tousle that beach hair, this is the place to see and be seen this summer.
PERFECT FOR: SINGLE HOTTIES
Jeans and t-shirts
Barney's Ceeps
671 Richmond Street, 519-432-1425
www.ceeps.com
Dressing up for a night out has its appeal, but sometimes you just want to slip into a comfortable pair of jeans and a cute t-shirt and meet with friends to relax! A place like Barney's on Richmond Row gives you front seats to the hustle and bustle of the downtown core, while offering a laid-back “picnic table” atmosphere. During the day, the patio is busy with lunch/dinner folks, but as night falls the place quickly fills up with the college/university crowd.
If you're looking for a snack, the patio offers typical pub food like wings, nachos and fries. There's plenty of beer on hand too; tapped and bottled imports and the Ceeps' own signature brew. The crowd is low-key and the location is fantastic for people watching. Barney's/Ceeps is a classic London stop for anyone looking for a good night on the patio this summer.
PERFECT FOR: PEOPLE-WATCHING WITH GOOD FRIENDS
Winks Eatery
551 Richmond Street, 519-936-5079
www.winkseatery.com
The venue hasn't been open that long, but has quickly become a mainstay for groups looking for a casual, clean place to hang out. Located just 25 steps from Richmond Row, there's often a line-up by 10pm, so get there early for a good seat! Featuring local acoustic artists indoors and a relaxed “back-deck” patio outdoors, Winks Eatery offers patrons a great alternative to the busy club-scene this summer. Winks menu offers favourites like pulled-pork sandwiches, fresh salads and fantastic sweet potato fries!
The bar stocks plenty of bottled imports or you can grab a pint (or two) and enjoy a spirited evening with friends on the sunny patio. See you there!
PERFECT FOR: GROUP DATES
Dining Under the Stars
Runt Club
155 Albert Street, 519-642-2300
If you're looking to turn your summer night into a summer romance, dining under the stars with your special someone certainly sets the tone! Offering one of the nicest patios in London, The Runt Club is a great choice for a late supper. Though its just steps from Richmond Row, the Runt Club still feels intimate and private. Surrounded by iron gates, shaded by elm trees and decorated with beautiful gardens, the Runt Club is as pretty as it is delicious! Offering diners the extensive menu from “sister-restaurant” Fellini Koolini's, the Runt Club allows you to enjoy a fantastic meal outdoors in style, or simply gather with a group of friends for drinks. The Runt Club is one of London's greatest hidden gems.
PERFECT FOR: A FIRST DATE
T J Baxter's Tap & Grill
660 Richmond Street, 519-642-2666
Over-looking Richmond Row, this rooftop patio offers a spectacular view of the popular shopping strip. The bar downstairs is often loaded with loud sports fans watching a game or the office crowd gathering for drinks after work. The upstairs patio is much quieter and offers a great, casual dining experience. In designing the patio, TJs thought of everyone; there are high tables with stools, a number of booths and a comfortable seating area with couches and chairs. The menu offers typical selections like wraps, salads, burgers and pasta; it's nothing fancy, but there's something for everyone! The patio includes a bar and heating lamps are strategically placed to offer a touch of extra warmth when the summer breeze picks up.
PERFECT FOR: FACEBOOK REUNIONS WITH HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS
