Here’s a guide to the best outdoor patio dining in the metro-east

From beer gardens and wineries to patios and decked out porches, the metro-east has a lot to choose from when it’s time to dine outside.

Looking for a luxurious patio experience? One of the most inviting patios in the metro-east can be found in the rear of a new brewery in Red Bud.

Located at 118 Market St., Lieferbräu Brewery offers craft beer and cocktails. The brewery's first-class patio is an unexpected oasis in Randolph County.

Want to try something closer home? Check out this list of places to eat and drink outside. Don’t forget your sunblock!

▪ Sugarfire 64 (1425 N Green Mount Road, O'Fallon, 618-360-3473) Check out the outdoor seating at one of the newest places to find barbecue in the metro-east. There's plenty of room on the patio to accommodate a crowd, but if you change your mind at the last minute about sitting outside, the eatery has plenty of indoor seating, too.

▪ Copper Fire (200 E. Main St., Belleville, 618-235-5010) The Eichholz family didn’t forget to include outdoor seating after a massive renovation of an historic downtown Belleville building. The restaurant can serve 150 people inside and 36 on the outdoor sidewalk seating. Burgers; beef brisket with au jus; beef Wellington; “drunken,” or brined, chicken; lobster Rangoons; BBQ shrimp and sausage and chili have been some of the popular menu items.

▪ Cutters (239 Carlyle Ave., Belleville, 618-235-7642) There’s plenty of room for an outdoor party at this popular bar and grill. Catch the game on the patio at Cutters where the pizza is hot and the beer is cold. Looking for music? Call ahead to find out when music will be played on the patio.

▪ The Cobblestone Eatery and Drinkery ( 115 W. St. Louis St, Lebanon, 618-808-0330) The large-tiered patio at The Cobblestone Eatery and Drinkery in Lebanon has black wrought-iron umbrella tables, potted plants and Edison-style light bulbs hanging along its wooden fence. The owners hope to offer live acoustic music this summer.

▪ Deweys Pizza (425 Regency Park, O'Fallon, 618-726-3366) From Southwest BBQ Chicken to meatball pizza to a goat cheese and artichokes pie known as the Green Lantern, the restaurant has a wide range of flavors on the menu and then take it outside.

▪ Friday’s South (106 E. Main St., Collinsville, 618-855-8410) Looking for a place to relax? Check out this tranquil patio in Uptown Collinsville. The décor and design of this space will make you feel like you’re on a vacation without the cost of a plane ticket.

▪ Hofbräuhaus (123 St. Eugene Dr., Belleville, 618-800-2337) Of course, this $12 million restaurant and brewery has a patio. Three signature beers and seasonal brews are on the menu, too.

▪ Seven Lounge (7 S. High St., Belleville, 618-277-6700) Dine outside along the sidewalk or hideaway on the patio in between Seven Lounge and Shichi Sushi Bar. Have your sushi in the sun or enjoy a cold beer on a warm summer night.

▪ Tavern on Main (301 E. Main St., Belleville, 618-233-6246) Located in the heart of downtown Belleville, this popular hangout offers sidewalk seating for revelers who want to enjoy the great outdoors. Check out the tavern’s expansion, “T2 Taps & Tapas” the next time you’re there.

▪ Syberg’s (1310 Central Park Dr., O’Fallon 618-622-0801) Check out the recently remodeled patio at this family-friendly restaurant near the Marcus O’Fallon Cine movie theater. Grab a bite to outside, then see a film nearby.

▪ Big Daddy’s 618 (313 E. Main St., Belleville, 618-257-0315) Enjoy live music while you sink your teeth into a burger on this patio. Weather permitting, the bar brings in a band every Friday.

▪ Wine Tap (223 E. Main St., Belleville, 618-239-9463) When it’s warm outside, Wine Tap looks more like a sidewalk cafe than a bar. Check out the wide selection of vino and watch the sunset in downtown Belleville.

▪ 4204 Main Street Brewing (4204 W. Main St., Belleville, 618-416-7261) This could be the best patio in Belleville. Check out the beer garden which features a pavilion, fire pits and plenty of seating, a beer hut, a grill, a band stand and games such as bean bags, giant Jenga, horseshoes and bocce ball.

▪ Bella Milano (1063 IL-157, Edwardsville, 618-659-210) This restaurant’s outdoor space feels like a Persian garden with modern light fixtures, sleek patio furniture and lush green topiary. Enough said. Oh yeah, the food is good, too.

▪ Hop House Southern Eatery (1214 Central Park Drive, O’Fallon, 618-726-2740) Enjoy southern eats outside on the patio. Try the classic mint julep or ginger peach tea.

▪ Global Brew Tap House (455 Regency Park Drive B, O’Fallon, 618-632-1818) You can’t see it from the street, but this tap house has patio with a fire pit. Too warm to strike a fire? Cool off with a craft beer outside.

▪ Horseshoe Restaurant & Lounge (950 Talon Dr, O'Fallon, 618-206-6418) This O’Fallon restaurant could have one of the largest patios in the metro-east. There’s room for a crowd here.

▪ The Red Bar and Grill (416 Beltline Road, Collinsville, 618-223-8822) This Collinsville bar has an unexpectedly cozy patio. Head outside to enjoy classic bar food favorites.

▪ Gia’s Pizza (102 W. State St., O’Fallon, 618-632-8486) It’s not easy to find a pizzeria with outdoor seating. Order a pie to enjoy outside, the next time you’re in O’Fallon.

▪ Casa Azteca (501 W. Hwy 50, O’Fallon, 618-632-2981) Enjoy your margarita in the sun the next time you’re in the mood for tacos and tequila.

▪ Sullivan’s (907 N. Illinois St., Belleville, 618-233-7969) Check out the beer garden at Sullivan’s. Metal furniture and wooden picnic tables are surrounded by landscaping beds full of ivy and shrubs. Yard art includes concrete birdbaths and flowers.

▪ Hotshots Bar and Grill (1319 Central Park Drive, O’Fallon, 618-624-4200) After catching a movie at the theater across the street, head to the patio at Hotshots.

▪ The Wooden Nickel and Pub (171 S. Main St., Glen Carbon, 618-288-2141) This Glen Carbon pub offers indoor and outdoor seating. There’s a television outside, so you won’t miss a moment of the big game.

▪ Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant (4660 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights, 618-277-5474) Looking for a patio with a theme? Check out the Aztec patio at this Fairview Heights restaurant.

▪ Andria’s (6805 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon, 618-632-4866) Steak outside? Go for it. This O’Fallon steakhouse offers outdoor seating.

▪ The Corner Grill and Chill (341 Centreville Ave., Belleville, 618-416-8603) Play a game of put- putt golf outside, then head inside for wings, beer and the big game.

▪ Fazzi’s (1813 Vandalia St., Collinsville, 618-344-5440) You could eat inside, but why would you want to do that? Take advantage of the outdoor seating while you dine on a mix of American, Italian and Greek cuisine.

▪ Huddle Bar and Grill (1101 Caseyville Road, Caseyville, 618-855-8555) Grab a stool outside, then go for the pizza at this Caseyville bar.

▪ Silver Creek Saloon (2520 Mascoutah Ave., Belleville, 618-416-6337) You can watch a game of sand volleyball or rent the court, before you have a meal at this saloon. If volleyball isn’t your thing, check out the live music at Silver Creek. There’s never a cover charge.

▪ The Weingarten (1780 IL-15, Belleville, 618-257-9463) Take a stroll by the lake or find a cozy spot to sit outside at this Belleville winery.

▪ The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Restaurant (442 S Demazenod Drive, Belleville, 618-397-6700) This patio could be one of the Shrine’s best kept secrets. The next time you’re there tell the host or hostess that you want to dine outdoors.

▪ Olympika Bar and Grill (127 N. Belt E, Swansea, 618-416-1656) Have breakfast, lunch or dinner at this Mediterranean grill. Relax in the shade under a large patio umbrella.

▪ The Loading Dock (401 Front St., Grafton, 618-786-3494) It’s a bit of a drive from the metro-east. But if you’re looking for an outdoor dining experience that’s near water, check out this Grafton restaurant.

▪ Taqueria Z (109 E Park St, Edwardsville, 618-307-5018) Keep it simple and fresh at this Edwardsville eatery. There’s a quaint patio outside where you can enjoy tacos and margaritas.

▪ The Railshake Brewery (504 Walnut St., Highland, 618-651-4900) This brewery lives up to its name. A train might pass you while you dine on the patio at this popular Highland hangout.

▪ Hidden Lake Winery (10580 County Road 400 E, Aviston, 618-228-9111) If you love wine and the great outdoors, this winery is for you. Take patio dining to the next level and stay overnight in one of the winery’s cabins. Enjoy the scenery while you sip on a glass of wine.

▪ Ott’s Tavern (20 E. Washington St., Millstadt, 618-476-3531) With an outdoor fish stand and loads of outdoor seating, this tavern is perfect for outdoor dining. The tavern is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check out the new renovations while you’re there.

▪ Opera House Bistro (102 S Main St., Red Bud, 618-282-1860) Yes, outdoor seating can be cozy. Head to Red Bud to watch the sunset at this quaint bistro.

▪ The Craft Chophouse (210 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville, 618-307-9300) Before you go inside for your steak dinner, have lemonade or a cocktail on the patio. The restaurant also has a fire pit.

This story was originally published July 2, 2018 at 9:54 AM.