Great beer gardens in Leipzig

Where cars used to be able to fill up with gas, community is now filling up. The Radtanke in Bautzmannstraße in the east of Leipzig is a former petrol station from 1920 that has had a completely new lease of life as a café, beer garden and cultural venue since May 2022. The name says it all: the focus here is not on cars, but on bicycles. Eight bright red and turquoise bicycles are lined up in a circle in front of the door, almost like a small monument to two-wheeled culture. The beer garden around the old petrol pump is the meeting place for the neighborhood and has quickly become a permanent fixture in the area. In the evenings, there is a fine selection of beers and homemade cocktails in an atmosphere that simply invites you to stay. The program is as colourful as the place itself: Concerts, flea markets, hip-hop evenings, readings and drag shows take place here regularly. The Radtanke sees itself as a safe space and attaches great importance to being a place for everyone, open, non-discriminatory and inclusive. What makes the Radtanke special is the mixture of neighborhood café and cultural spot. This is where creativity meets a neighborhood feel, all in a location that is worth a visit for its history and architecture alone. You'll find Radtanke in the east of Leipzig, more precisely in Reudnitz, within walking distance of Täubchenweg.

There are places that simply get better and better over the years. The Substanz on Täubchenweg in Reudnitz is one such place. This bar in the east of Leipzig has been around since 1993, and anyone who has been there once keeps coming back. The real star is the beer garden in the backyard, and it really has it all. What was once a gray backyard has grown over the years into a green oasis that is second to none. You can sit here under trees and fairy lights on warm evenings, drink an Augustiner on tap (yes, really) and enjoy the peace and quiet in the middle of the city. Since summer 2023, Substanz has officially been able to call itself one of the most beautiful beer gardens in the city, and anyone who has ever been there will immediately agree. The menu includes freshly grilled burgers in organic quality, which are worth the visit alone. There is also a stage in the courtyard where live music is regularly played in summer. Incidentally, there are no reservations (except for really large groups), so just drop by and let the evening unfold before you. The beer garden season starts at the end of April and runs until October.

The story behind the name is almost too good to be true: Wild Heinz was actually a billy goat that lived on the site for the first two years and became the unofficial mascot of Lindenau. At the end of 2015, Heinz returned to his herd in Dessau, but his name remained. Since 2014, Zum Wilden Heinz has been located on a brownfield site between residential buildings in the west of Leipzig, in Hähnelstraße in Lindenau to be precise. And it is precisely this location that makes it so charming. Nothing here is polished or stylish. Instead, you'll find an enchanted garden with hammocks, a campfire and a clay oven that produces fantastic pizza in summer. In winter, the whole place retreats into a cosy wooden hut, which means that Zum Wilden Heinz is open all year round, making it one of the few beer gardens in Leipzig that is also worth a visit in the colder months. Anyone looking for alternative garden culture, honest hospitality and a bit of campfire romance will love this place.

History meets barley juice at one of the city's most impressive locations. The Scheibenholz racecourse on the edge of Clara Zetkin Park is Leipzig's oldest sports venue. Galloping has been taking place here since 1867, and the architecture of the facility is reminiscent of the racecourse in Chantilly, France, and not without reason. The beer garden is idyllically situated under old trees between the historic grandstand and the riverside path along the Elsterflutbett. Around 250 seats offer enough space to relax on warm days and soak up the special atmosphere of this place. Barbecues are served at the weekend, while classic beer garden dishes and cool drinks are available during the week. On race days, there's a whole new dynamic when the horses thunder across the track and you can watch with a beer in your hand. You'll find the racecourse in the south of Leipzig, right next to Clara-Zetkin-Park. If you're looking for a beer garden with style, tradition and a touch of elegance, this is the place for you.

Feet in the sand, sun on your face and a cool drink in your hand: Leipzig's city harbor brings that vacation feeling right into the city. Located on the Elstermühlgraben in the west of the city center, the city harbour is Leipzig's gateway to the Neuseenland and one of the sunniest places in the city. The beer garden at the city harbour is actually more of a beach bar than a classic beer garden, but that's what makes it so special. Here you can sit on sun loungers in the sand, watch canoes and boats on the water and leave everyday life behind you. Cocktails, freshly tapped beer and a relaxed atmosphere, where dogs are also welcome, make the city harbour the perfect spot for anyone who likes it uncomplicated and close to the water. If you fancy more, you can hire a canoe or bike directly on site and discover Leipzig's waterways on your own. Events are also held regularly on the beach stage, from salsa evenings to live music and after-work sessions. The city harbor is centrally located and perfect for a spontaneous detour after work.

If a beer garden has history, then this one does. The Bayerischer Bahnhof is the oldest preserved terminus station in the world, built in 1842, and has been home to a pub with its own brewery since 2000. The beer garden under the old plane trees between the reception hall and the service building offers space for around 400 guests and is one of the most popular beer gardens in the city. What makes the Bayerischer Bahnhof special is the combination of historical ambience and really good beer. Master brewer Matthias Richter brews here with regional ingredients and special malts, and in addition to classic varieties, there is of course the famous Leipziger Gose, a top-fermented beer with a slightly salty taste that originated in Leipzig. In addition, there is solid Saxon-Bavarian cuisine, from Hax'nsülze to Saxon Sauerbraten. You will find the Bayerischer Bahnhof in the south of the city center on Bayrischer Platz. With around 1,000 seats (600 inside, 400 outside), it is one of the largest catering establishments in Leipzig and is perfect for anyone who wants to experience good beer, good food and a piece of Leipzig's history in one place.

Everyone in Connewitz knows Ilse's Erika. The dance café has been a permanent fixture in Leipzig's cultural landscape for almost 20 years, and the beer garden is the heart of the whole place in summer. Located on Bernhard-Göring-Straße in the south of Leipzig, Ilse's Erika combines a pub, club and beer garden under one roof, offering a versatility that few places in the city can match. In summer, the beer garden usually opens in May and quickly becomes a meeting place for anyone who appreciates good music, a relaxed atmosphere and a cold drink in the open air. Open-air concerts take place regularly on the summer stage, with music ranging from pop to indie and electro. The beer garden quiz, where teams compete against each other and the fun factor is guaranteed to be high, is particularly legendary. When the sun goes down, the action shifts to the cellar club and the dance room, where DJ sets and live acts keep things moving. Those who need a break in between can make themselves comfortable on the sofas. Ilse's Erika is the perfect place for anyone who wants an evening that starts in the beer garden and ends on the dance floor.

The Mörtelwerk is located on the Karl Heine Canal in the west of Leipzig, and this place is so versatile that a single description is not enough. Beer garden, café, tarte flambée stand, cultural venue and occasional pop-up club all in one, the Mörtelwerk in Neulindenau does its own thing and does it really well. The beer garden is located directly on the canal, making it one of the most beautiful places that the west of Leipzig has to offer. Here you can get tacos, homemade lemonades, freshly baked cakes and, of course, beer, all with a focus on regional products from organic farming. Sustainability is not just used as a buzzword here, but really lived, right down to avoiding waste. The beer garden season traditionally starts on 1 May, and from then on, the Mörtelwerk is the place to go at weekends for anyone looking for canal vibes, good food and a creative atmosphere. In addition to regular beer garden operations, the Mörtelwerk also serves as an event location for private parties and cultural events. You'll find it on Am Kanal in Neulindenau, within walking distance of the Karl Heine Canal and right in the creative heart of Leipzig's West.