With warmer weather offering more outdoor daylight hours and gathering opportunities, why not explore the many beautiful options available for outdoor cocktails and dining? From east to west, casual to formal, family friendly to adult inspired, wine selections to brews only, Wichita has something for everyone.

Across the city, an array of outdoor eating and drinking experiences await. Wichita’s historic Delano District hosts The Monarch, boasting the largest whiskey and craft bourbon selections in the state. With a spacious, lively patio adjacent to the Delano clock tower, it’s a beautiful place to have a drink and watch the sun go down. Other casual options for pizza and drinks include Ziggy’s Pizza in Clifton Square, Ziggy’s East, Ziggy’s West or their location in Auburn Hills. 

Old Town, with its cobblestone streets and unique facades, invites diners to consider Public at The Brickyard. Quaint and original, it’s a gorgeous place to enjoy dinner, lunch or brunch with family or friends.

For casual lunching options, one might choose The Kitchen, which overlooks the beautiful Union Station or Tanya’s Soup Kitchen situated directly on Douglas. Its shaded piazza is a perfect area to enjoy their lunchtime menu. All HomeGrown locations also feature outdoor seating with the downtown location adjacent to the ever entertaining Naftzger Park.

Sports fans and enthusiasts can also find incredible patios. The Pumphouse, a former gas station transformed into view-palooza, offers large outdoor spaces, perfect for partaking in their irresistible pizzas and hanging with friends for a game. A similar westside option can be found at Hurricane Sports Grill. Like the Pumphouse, heaters and unique fans create a pleasant outdoor atmosphere in our ever-shifting Kansas weather. 

Wichita offers many upscale restaurants with outdoor availability. For French fare and culinary creations, Georges French Bistro offers an incredible dining experience. Exquisite dishes are cooked fresh in their open kitchen and the patio seating is gorgeous. Further west and along Douglas, the patio at Piatto Neapolitan Pizzeria is the perfect place to enjoy the freshest pizza ingredients cooked in their stone oven, which was designed in Italy and shipped here for the purpose of creating extraordinary pizza. 

The downtown area has had a long-time love affair with Larkspur Bistro & Bar. Their pergola-covered dining on the west side creates an upscale, first-class feel. On the east side of Wichita, the courtyard at YaYa’s Euro Bistro is a great place to enjoy time with friends. The fireplace is lovely in the cooler months. In the spring, shade trees canopy part of the patio where one can enjoy appetizers like bruschetta with goat cheese or unforgettable bacon Brussels sprouts. Happy hour specials pertain to drinks, pizzas and appetizers and are some of the best in the city.

Chester’s Chophouse and Wine Bar is where elegant dining meets perfect pairings. Their extensive wine cellar allows patrons to partake by the glass or order an amazing bottle for the table. Lakeside seating is both breathtaking and incredibly relaxing. Current seating is plentiful, and they are hoping to extend their outdoor options this year. 

Nestled in College Hill lies the chill ambiance of Wine Dive. Named one of Open Table’s choices for the Top 100 Wine Lists in America, the street-side setting provides a neighborhood feel to enjoy dinner, drinks or other unique finds like an at-your-table s’mores station.

For live music in Old Town, Mort’s Martini and Cigar Bar boasts a menu of 160 martinis, along with an impressive beer and cigar selection. Patrons return often for the smooth tunes and the cocktail creations. In the Delano District, Alzavino Wine Tavern is a must for wine connoisseurs. They bring modern selections from around the globe to their tables and bar and offer wine tastings to newcomers to the world of wine.

Al Fresco Ales

In the heart of the city as well as its far-reaching perimeters, beer gardens and breweries host hops lovers and provide a vast variety of beer selections and delectable bites.

With a fun backyard feel, Nortons Brewing Company hosts yard games and features friendly competitions to entertain while enjoying a beer with friends. River City Brewing Co. has been serving craft beer and pub faves like pizza for nearly thirty years. With local Kansas-raised beef along with other great pastas and pizzas, it's no secret why it's a staple in Wichita.

Near Union Station, PourHouse ICT (by Walnut River Brewing Company) has dozens of beers on tap and serves up tasty favorites like fish and chips. Their attention to detail makes this a great establishment. Located in the original Rock Island Depot, its construction dates back to 1887. 

Hopping Gnome Brewing Company's huge covered patio provides ample seating for their outdoor beer garden. Established with remarkable craft beer 10 years ago, it was the taproom in town.

For German- or Belgian-style beer, Sweet Allie B’s and Limestone Beer Co. is the place to be. Their peaceful patio and food menu prepared and cooked in-house make it a neighborhood favorite. 

The patio at Central Standard Brewing is a popular place to enjoy a brew. On the weekends, food trucks pull up offering unique and flavorful eating opportunities to accompany the impressive beer selection.

From east to west and so many places in between, culinary creations and beverage options abound. With so many unique establishments and outdoor seating opportunities, We have the perfect dining experience available in our city: something for everyone.