Sun's oot: A guide to Glasgow's beer gardens

But it just makes us all the more grateful and fun-loving in the sun - when we seize the day with both hands and the city turns into a shining utopia of high spirits and outdoor drinking.

Here is our guide to the hottest beer gardens in Glasgow - so you're never stumped for somewhere to have a cold pint, while desperately trying to absorb the vitamin D your body has been missing out on. Remember your suncream!

Chinaskis, 239 North Street, G3 7DL 0141 221 0061

A blink-and-you'll-miss-it hidden gem, Chinaskis is so achingly hip and postmodern that it doesn't even have a sign above its door. Its outdoor area is referred to as the 'bourbon and cigar garden', which automatically makes it sound much more high brow and sophisticated - as though you would be given a red fez and slippers to wear when you go out. It boasts a gorgeous wooden staircase and the fences are adorned with vines and flower boxes. Disclaimer: Fez and slippers are not provided.

West Brewery,Templeton Building, Glasgow Green, G40 1AW 0141 550 0135Going towards the East End of Glasgow, this microbrewery offers quality German food and craft beer at a good price. There are several picnic benches outside the entrance, but the bar is also surrounded by grass - ideal for chilling out. If that doesn't persuade you, you're still only a stone's throw away from Glasgow Green too - but don't take your drinks there. That's silly and of course illegal.

Bar Soba, 11 Mitchell Lane, G1 3NU 0141 204 2404

If you love a bit of people-watching with your Mojito - the Soba seating area is perfect. Basically, it's a bunch of chairs, tables and mini bar in the middle of Buchanan Street. The attentive bar staff will even bring out food and drink for you to save you the hassle of walking back to the bar. Though technically not a 'garden', this is a cool as cucumber, metropolitan hub in the heart of the Style Mile. If you fancy heading west, the chain is also situated on Byres Road - though there are only a few picnic benches outside.

Bier Halle, 6-9 Gordon Street, G1 3PL 0141 636 9171

Just up and around the corner from the Soba beer garden is the Bier Halle seating area - complete with a mini bar and heated tent, for when it gets a bit cooler. Still great for pizza, pints and people-watching, with a little less hustle and bustle than Buchanan Street.

Inn Deep , 445 Great Western Road, G12 8HH 0141 357 1075

Nestled on the bank of the River Kelvin, Inn Deep has fantastic views of the water, the nearby park and the bridge above it. Its one downside is that there are only a few chairs outside - so get along quick if you're ever heading there on a sunny day.

Ark, 46 North Frederick Street, G1 2BS 0141 559 4331

Being within walking distance of Strathclyde University and the colleges, this bar is a popular student haunt. This garden - which is the biggest in the city centre - has a slightly bohemian vibe to it. You can lounge in stylish straw egg chairs, with red cushions and an outdoor heater - all beneath a leafy wooden veranda. It also has an outdoor pool table and huge TV screen switched to Sky Sports, which is a massive bonus.

Ashton Lane​, HIllhead, G12 8SJ

You're pretty spoiled for choice in this lane behind Hillhead Subway. You've got Brel, which has tables for eating outside and a huge grassy mound. There's also Jinty McGinty's, which cocktails before you hit the town.

Cottiers, 93-95 Hyndland Road, G11 5PU 0141 357 5825

​This is a bar, restaurant and theatre housed in a picturesque old church in Hyndland - ideal if you want a place off the beaten path of the city. This beer garden is a leafy little drinking spot in Hyndland, surrounded in flowers and plants - secluded and sophisticated enough for a catch-up with friends.

Big Slope, 36A Kelvingrove Street, Charing Cross, G3 7SA 0141 333 0869 ​This pub is named after the grassy hill in the nearby Kelvingrove Park - the cornerstone of summers in Glasgow. It has great food, multiple picnic tables with umbrellas, and a faux fireplace for when it gets cold outside - great for when you want a break from sunbathing. It's also still possible to people watch from below, if you're quite nosey.

Church on the Hill, 16 Algie Street, G41 3DJ 0141 636 9171

Housed in an impressive building in the south side, the pub can feel a bit too spacious inside at times. So when the weather is better, head to the beer garden out the front for a bit of atmosphere. It looks onto Queen's Park and is child friendly until 8pm. The drinks are a little on the pricey side, but its size and location offers revellers a bit more peace and quiet than the bars in the city centre.

Babbity Bowster, 16-18 Blackfriars Street, G1 1PE 0141 552 5055

This used to be a tobacco merchant house which was built in 1790 - with a very fitting 18th century name. The pub also has an 'award winning' floral patio with tables and umbrellas. Babbity Bowsters prides itself on maintaining its character - so there is no music over speakers, just the gentle hubbub of its customers. Overall, it's a great spot if you like to read while having a pint.

Drygate Brewery, 85 Drygate, G4 0UT 0141 212 8815

Not so far from its rival West Brewery is Drygate Brewery, an artsy, offbeat pub and restaurant housed in a renovated box factory in the east end. It has an elevated beer garden, murals painted on the walls and 24 beers on tap. What's not to love?

Sub Hub, Sixth Floor Argyll Arcade, Buchanan Street, G2 8BG 0141 248 4600

This brand new venue on the sixth floor of the Argyll Arcade is a loft space with a 70-seater cinema, cafe bar, gallery space and radio broadcast studio. The missing piece of Glasgow's thriving techno scene, SubHub is perfect for drinking with like-minded people and soaking in the creative atmosphere. Their rooftop beer garden is a showstopper in itself - overlooking the black, iron peacock that looms above the entrance to Princes Square on Buchanan Street. It's only open until April 26, so get down before it goes.