Meetings can be a chore at the best of times, so how about making things a bit more interesting and taking the chitchat from a stuffy conference room to a sunny pub garden? That way not only do you get to make the most of the sunshine, but you can also endear yourself to your colleague by splitting a plate of nachos while you talk them through that extensive PowerPoint presentation.
Here are some ideas for where to conduct your meetings al fresco in Bristol and Bath.
Bristol
Welsh Back, Bristol, BS1 4SB
The one and only, also known as ‘The Cider Boat’. If you want to give a visitor a true Bristol experience there’s no better place to go. Not only is it located on a boat for you to make the most of Bristol’s many miles of waterways, but it also has over 40 ciders and a good snack selection, including a choice of Ploughman’s lunches, or picnic banquets to take away.
16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA
If you opt for Arnolfini’s alternative beer garden on a sunny day, you’re sure to be greeted by a sea of legs dangling over the waterfront edge. It’s an iconic and charming Bristol sight, but you don’t need to make your clients sit cross-legged on the floor as Arnolfini opens up the overspill of its café to some welcoming picnic benches next to the outdoor bar.
With the scenic, ever-changing view of the harbour, it’s the perfect place to impress.
Sion Hill, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4LD
Famous for its views over the Avon Gorge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge, this place is a big draw for locals and tourists alike.
You can either go upmarket with fine dining or an afternoon tea at The Bridge Cafe, or pop next door to the White Lion terrace for cheaper drinks and a basic pub menu.
Sit below deck on the snug sofas on a cold day, or on the open air top deck or quayside benches if you want to take advantage of the sunshine. Proper job.
75 Park St, Bristol, BS1 5PF
A Bristol institution and deservedly so – this is where the successful chain started out and they still continue to be a firm favourite in the centre. Choose from an extensive menu of loose leaf teas, house & guest coffees, smoothies and juices; or if you’re feeling a bit maverick you could go for one of the local beers on offer.
There are more cakes and pastries than you could shake a laser pointer at, but they also do great breakfasts and more substantial meals if you’re planning on sticking around for a while. The quirky garden out back is on 3 different levels and is a nice quiet haven in the middle of the city.
St Werburgh’s City Farm, Watercress Road, Bristol, BS2 9YJ
As well as being a lovely little city farm, St Werburgh’s also has an award-winning cafe and a fantastic pub to boot; it’s well worth a visit to all three!
The pretty cafe has a simple and locally sourced menu and nice outdoor deck, whilst the pub is famed for its roast dinners and home-cooked meals, with a lovely big garden out front which is always packed in summer.
Mardyke Wharf, Hotwell Rd, Hotwells, Bristol, BS8 4RU
Perfectly situated on the water in Hotwells and just a short walk from the centre along the harbour, this quirky boat bar has a reliably good menu, a lovely top deck for sunning yourself on while you discuss those important business matters, as well as some great beers (well, it is owned by the Bristol Beer Factory).
38 Jacob’s Wells Road, Bristol, BS8 1DR
Now under the same management as the sterling team behind The Volunteer Tavern in the centre, The Hope is a friendly neighbourhood pub offering a simple but high quality menu, but the star attraction has to be its sprawling garden, set across multiple levels. Quiet, cosy and a real suntrap.
139 North St, Bristol BS3 1EZ
A local favourite in Bedminster, The Spotted Cow’s big beer garden is fully equipped for the demand of people who want a drink in the sun. You can choose from a sheltered area, to perch on the large wooden ledge or to sit at one of the many tables on the grass.
Bath
14 James Street West, Bath, BA1 2BX
The Brew House has its own brewery on site and in addition to its own fine ales also serves up a fantastic selection of guest beers from an array of popular local breweries. It’s not just about the beer though – there is also a great menu including exciting items such as meat platters, spit-roast chicken and steak.
They also have their own smokehouse and barbecue outside in their huge back terrace, so no matter what the time of year you can expect a fine carnivorous experience!
9 Argyle Street, Bath, BA2 4BQ
Very recently refurbished to make the most of their massive back terrace which overlooks the weir and Bath Abbey, The Boater also jazzed up its menu and interior decor.
Definitely the most scenic beer garden in town, this pub now has much more to offer than just its great location.
6 Chapel Row, Bath, BA1 1HN
Not so much of a garden as it is a back yard (albeit a pretty back yard), but the main reason people flock to this tiny coffee house is the quality of what’s on offer. A proud purveyor of speciality coffee, there is no better place in the West Country if you consider yourself a connoisseur of the coffee bean.
The coffee shop itself is all very minimalist and modern – very much the place for freelance web designers tapping away on their Macbook Air, but luckily it manages to stay just the right side of cool without being exclusive.
11-12 Westgate Buildings, Bath BA1 1EB
The cosy terrace has a vibrant atmosphere. Tucked away between the pub building, it’s a beautiful sun trap in the summer but also covered all year round.
This one comes with a quirky back story too – the building used to be a debtors prison, so you can impress your clients with that fun fact. It’s since been converted into a pub with a bustling atmosphere and a spacious al-fresco area.
1 Old King Street, Bath, BA1 2JW
Situated across 3 floors in a grand building next to Queen Square, H&W manages to appeal to the tourist crowd with all of its quaint English decor, whilst also keeping the locals on side with its decent food and drink offerings.
The roof terrace is a real sun trap and has some nice views over the city.
Lansdown Road, Bath BA1 5TJ
A little out of town up on Lansdown, but well worth the 10-minute taxi ride; the view from the garden is spectacular.
The menu is fairly extensive and not too expensive, with some good options whether you’re heading along for breakfast, lunch or just a snack.
35 Marlborough Buildings, Bath BA1 2LY
If greenery is your thing, the luscious garden of the Marlborough Tavern is the place to go. With vast trees and bushes surrounding its walls and garden tables with the necessary umbrellas, it’s a great place to host a meeting. Plus, the pub garden feels welcomingly sheltered from the surrounding hustle and bustle of Bath’s Royal Crescent.
