Just a few summers ago, Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria dominated any discussion of New York City's outdoor beer dispensaries. Since then, though, the five boroughs have been experiencing a beer garden renaissance that shows no signs of abating. The development makes sense—what's better, after all, than sitting in the shade with a group of friends, drinking an ice-cold, deliciously foamy brew?

Leafy courtyards and abundant taps have popped up everywhere from Crown Heights to Williamsburg to Harlem—and even near Green-Wood Cemetery, where recently opened (and enormous) Greenwood Park has become the city's most talked-about outdoor watering hole. From the traditional German Biergarten with picnic-table seating to waterside locales with a view of Lower Manhattan, each of these beer gardens guarantee large selection of cold, tasty brews and a relaxed setting where you can kick back with friends.