What counts as a beer garden ?

[Brainypool]

Just been updating the details for pubs I have visited and noticed some definition confusion between different reviewers. Does a few tables at the front of the pub count as a beer garden? Does a covered patio count as a beer garden? In fact what actually is a beer garden? It may be worth clarifying as everyone seems to have their own criteria - the Old Vic in Preston for example say themselves that they have a beer garden but was listed as a 'No' on here!

[Farway]

Once it was easy, grass, flowers and maybe dog poo, problem solved, now any old smoking area it seems

I doubt we''l get a consensus, similar to what's a pub? But IMO should at least try and have some plants, even if just dying in pots full of dog ends

[Spinko]

I've been in the Old Vics beer garden a few times. Granted it's not like Worsley Old Hall's or the Exeter Wetherspoons!

[ETA]

Just to save our repeating ourselves...

http://forums.pubsgalore.co.uk/showthread.php?15469-What-Makes-A-Beer-Garden-A-Beer-Garden&highlight=beer+garden

[bcfczuluarmy]

External space with tables not solely for smokers to congregate. Idyllic viewpoint is large area of grass with tables but reality is in urban areas outside space with tables.

[Tris39]

Just been updating the details for pubs I have visited and noticed some definition confusion between different reviewers. Does a few tables at the front of the pub count as a beer garden? Does a covered patio count as a beer garden? In fact what actually is a beer garden? It may be worth clarifying as everyone seems to have their own criteria - the Old Vic in Preston for example say themselves that they have a beer garden but was listed as a 'No' on here!

I think that an enclosed perimeter - even a patio - with some attempt at décor such as pot plants is probably a 'garden' but a back smoking den with a table and two rickety chairs doesn't. Certainly, pavement seating is not a beer garden. I don't think that an off-street parking space covered with a tarpaulin counts as a garden either.

[bcfczuluarmy]

Ditch "Beer Garden" and replace with "External Seating" job jobbed.

[Aqualung]

Just been updating the details for pubs I have visited and noticed some definition confusion between different reviewers. Does a few tables at the front of the pub count as a beer garden? Does a covered patio count as a beer garden? In fact what actually is a beer garden? It may be worth clarifying as everyone seems to have their own criteria - the Old Vic in Preston for example say themselves that they have a beer garden but was listed as a 'No' on here!
It was probably me who said no to a garden and my excuse is that I went there in a deluge of rain and it was getting dark so I failed to see a door to a garden. The important thing is that if it's not a "real" garden but a patio to say "patio" or "decked patio" in the description then whether it says yes or no is not as important. My preference is for no if it's just a patio but I think I may have said yes where it's very large with potted plants and other decorations. Some Wetherspoons have replaced grass with astroturf!
There is a potential problem with TV Sport as well. I went to a pub in Shropshire once to find the barmaid catching up on Coronation Street and I was happy to join in. At another time it might be showing football! In fact I suspect pitfalls could be concocted for just about all of the options. You can only give it your best shot.

[Brainypool]

Responses here and in the other thread that show a pretty wide variance of opinion, fair enough and I was really just wondering if there was an official definition since I didn't want to be going around giving bad information on every pub. I generally consider it a beer garden if there is a decent space with some tables and chairs to sit outside with my drink so I'll stick with that I think. It's the word 'garden' that seems to confuse matters!

[Soup Dragon]

I use patio and beer garden in my reviews. A beer garden has grass etc, a patio is paved.