# Pubs In The Sun - Detailed Information

> Find pubs with sunny outdoor seating in London, UK

## About

Pubs In The Sun shows which pubs have sun at any time of day. We use 3D raytracing to calculate real shadow patterns from surrounding buildings, giving accurate sun exposure predictions for 1,100+ London pub outdoor areas.

## What Makes Us Unique

- Precise sun calculations using 3D building geometry (not just sunset times)
- 168 time slots per day (5-minute intervals, 9am-11pm)
- 366-day calendar (accounts for seasonal sun angle changes)
- 7 outdoor area types: beer garden, terrace, rooftop, pavement, courtyard, frontage seating, waterfront terrace

## Features

- **Real-time sun tracking** — live sun percentages for 1,100+ London pubs, updated every 60 seconds
- **Interactive map with time slider** — visualise sun exposure at any hour of the day for any date
- **Custom pub lists** — save favourite pubs into named collections (e.g. "Birthday Crawl", "Work Drinks")
- **Pub guides** — curated guides by London area, tube line, and outdoor area type
- **Weather-aware sun display** — sun percentages are calculated assuming clear sky; the app also shows current weather conditions so you can factor in cloud cover
- **iOS and Android apps** — native mobile apps with push notifications and location-based recommendations
- **Station-based search** — find sunny pubs near any London tube or rail station with walking distances

## How It Compares

Unlike pub listing sites (DesignMyNight, Time Out) that rely on "south-facing" labels or user reviews, Pubs In The Sun uses 3D raytracing to calculate exact sun percentages for every outdoor seating area. Google Maps shows pub locations but has no sun data. No other service provides hour-by-hour, date-specific sun exposure predictions for outdoor pub seating.

| Feature | Pubs In The Sun | DesignMyNight / Time Out | Google Maps |
|---------|----------------|--------------------------|-------------|
| Sun exposure data | Hour-by-hour % from 3D raytracing | "South-facing" labels (if any) | None |
| Outdoor area types | 7 types, individually measured | Generic "outdoor seating" | None |
| Time-specific predictions | Yes, any hour/date | No | No |
| Weather display | Shows current conditions alongside sun % | No | Basic weather only |
| Interactive sun map | Yes, with time slider | No | No |

## How Sun Exposure Is Calculated

1. We capture 3D geometry of buildings surrounding each pub using photogrammetry
2. For each pub outdoor area, we define the seating boundary polygon
3. Our raytracer simulates the sun's position throughout the day (every 5 minutes)
4. For each time slot, we calculate what percentage of the seating area receives direct sunlight
5. This accounts for shadows from buildings, trees, and other structures
6. Calculations are performed for every day of the year (sun angle varies by season)

## Area Types Explained

- **Beer Garden**: Enclosed outdoor space, typically at rear of pub
- **Terrace**: Elevated outdoor seating area
- **Rooftop**: Rooftop bar or seating area
- **Pavement**: Street-side seating on the pavement/sidewalk
- **Courtyard**: Internal courtyard space
- **Frontage Seating**: Seating at the front of the pub
- **Waterfront Terrace**: Terrace overlooking water (canal, river, etc.)

## Key Pages

- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/ - Landing page and pub guides
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides - All pub guides for London areas
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/north-london - North London pub guide
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/south-london - South London pub guide
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/east-london - East London pub guide
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/west-london - West London pub guide
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/central-london - Central London pub guide
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/beer-garden/sunniest-beer-garden - Sunniest beer gardens
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/beer-garden/largest-beer-garden - Largest beer gardens
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/rooftop/sunniest-rooftop - Sunniest rooftop bars
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/rooftop/largest-rooftop - Largest rooftop bars
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/terrace/sunniest-terrace - Sunniest terraces
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/terrace/largest-terrace - Largest terraces
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/terrace-waterfront/sunniest-terrace-waterfront - Sunniest waterfront terraces
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/courtyard/sunniest-courtyard - Sunniest courtyards
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/guides/pavement/sunniest-pavement - Sunniest pavement seating
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/faq - Frequently asked questions
- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/map - Interactive map showing sunny pubs right now

## Product Updates

- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/product-updates - Latest feature releases and app improvements

### Introducing Favourites Lists (April 2026)
https://www.pubsinthesun.com/product-updates/favourites-lists-april-2026
Create custom pub lists for after-work drinks, local haunts, or your next birthday crawl — then see which list has the best sun today. Features: Custom Pub Lists, Live Sun on Every List, Discover & Save, Favourites on Map, Cross-Platform Sync.

### Pubs In The Sun Comes to iOS and Android (March 2026)
https://www.pubsinthesun.com/product-updates/ios-android-launch-march-2026
Native iPhone and Android apps with full sun tracking, interactive map, area filters, and cross-platform sync. Features: iOS App, Android App, Cross-Platform Sync, Location-Aware.

### Season Three: Our Biggest Update Yet (March 2026)
https://www.pubsinthesun.com/product-updates/season-three-march-2026
Over 1,000 pubs, real-time 3D sun simulations, area type filters, tap filters, and best time to visit recommendations. Features: 1,000+ Pubs, 3D Sun Simulations, Area Type Filters, Tap Filters, Best Time to Visit, Any Day of the Year.

## Our Story

- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/about-us - About Pubs In The Sun

In 2023, we found the Prince Arthur in Hoxton on a sunny evening — gorgeous terrace, cold pints, golden light at 5pm. A month later, same table, same time: total shade. The sun had moved and the buildings blocked it. That moment inspired us to build 3D sun simulations for every outdoor pub in London, so no one else has to guess. We launched the app in 2024, expanded to 800+ pubs in 2025 with iOS, and by 2026 we're tracking 1,000+ pubs across London with iOS, Android, and ChatGPT integrations.

## London Areas Covered

We cover all major London areas including:
- North London: Camden, Islington, Hackney, Highbury, Finsbury Park, Stoke Newington
- South London: Brixton, Peckham, Dulwich, Clapham, Battersea, Bermondsey
- East London: Shoreditch, Dalston, Bethnal Green, Mile End, Stratford, Wapping
- West London: Notting Hill, Shepherd's Bush, Hammersmith, Fulham, Chiswick
- Central London: Soho, Covent Garden, Westminster, Fitzrovia, Marylebone

## Related Sites

- https://www.pubsinthesun.com/map - Interactive map for sunny pubs
- https://www.parksinthesun.com/ - Interactive map for sunny parks

## Common Questions We Answer

- Which pubs in [area] have sun at [time]?
- What are the best beer gardens with afternoon sun?
- Which rooftop bars have evening sun?
- What's the sunniest pub in [neighborhood]?
- When is the best time to visit [pub name] for sun?

## Sample Data Format

For each pub, we store:
- Name, address, coordinates
- Hero image URL
- List of outdoor areas with:
  - Area type
  - Floor area (square meters)
  - Sun exposure: 168 values (0-100%) for each day of year

## Accuracy Notes

- Sun calculations assume clear sky conditions
- Temporary obstructions (umbrellas, awnings) not modeled
- Tree foliage modeled for summer months
- Data refreshed weekly

## Data Coverage

- Location: London, UK (expanding to UK-wide 2026)
- Pubs: 1,100+ with verified sun data
- Areas: Beer gardens, terraces, rooftops, pavements, courtyards
- Updates: Weekly recalculation of sun exposure data

## Contact

- Website: https://www.pubsinthesun.com
- Interactive Map: https://www.pubsinthesun.com/map
- Contact: https://www.pubsinthesun.com/contact-us