The Lawn Bar & Mermaid Garden-The home of Cowes Week socialising!

28th July - 6th August

Fans of Cowes Week rejoice! The Lawn Bar at Northwood House will open every day through this fantastic period of  fun and frivolity! We are delighted to be at the heart of the Regatta as one of the main social venues for competitors and visitors to the event as well all our many regular local customers from the Island.

This year our Cowes Week trading period runs from Friday 28th July until Sunday 6th August. We will be open every day during the period from lunch time (12pm) to 12.30am most evenings*  with last admission at 11.30pm unless the weather plays its hand of course!

*Alternative closing times: (11pm-Friday 28th // 11.30pm-Sunday 30th // 7pm-Sunday 6th)

The vibe will be uber-cool at the Lawn Bar as always, with our container bar serving up the best beers, gins and cocktail pitchers.

Most of the Lawn Bar is comprised of outdoor table seating (so bring a warm sweater or summer jacket if the weather is looking a bit inclement!) but we do have some lounge marquee seating undercover, available on a first come – first served basis….and there’s our super trendy Yurt Bar as part of the Mermaid Garden which returns as the nicest socialising space in town!

As usual in Lawn Bar style, we’ll be playing  the coolest sound track of Mediterranean inspired beats across the day, helping you relax to the max with friends as you soak in the unique atmosphere of Cowes Week.  Every evening from 8pm we will be hosting live music from our Mahou Garden Stage, so don’t be late and get a table while we have them.

And if you love a bit of a party and a chance to have a proper dance, then join us on three nights for our Cowes Week “Disco Alfresco” party nights! We’ve got some of the best local DJ’s lined up who’ll be playing a mix of classic disco, crowd pleasing anthems and belters from the 80’s and 90’s…its definitely going to be the place to be!

Admission fees do apply to get in to the Lawn Bar after 9.30pm each evening (£3 Saturday to Tuesday/ £10 Wednesday to Friday), but its free before those times subject to capacity. You can guarantee entry to any of Disco Alfresco nights for £10 per night with wristbands available for purchasing in advance only from the Lawn Bar over the week or from our separate Disco Alfresco event page.

We are also delighted to announce our Cowes Week activity this year is again in partnership with our friends at Mermaid Isle of Wight Gin. As part of that collaboration, the beautiful Mermaid Garden & Bar will return for Cowes Week 2023….

The area will again feature a beautiful yurt bar and indoor lounging space, as well as more outdoor seating. The bar offer will be focused on the full Mermaid range, with classic G&T serves, along with some special daily cocktails. Camden beers will also be available on tap along with  premium wine and champagne.

On Tuesday 1st August at 3pm you can enjoy a “Meet the Makers” talk from the Isle of Wight Distillery Team, who’ll be telling you how they make their various artisan spirits…plus you’ll get a chance to sample them too!

On Thursday 3rd August, there’s a special day devoted to the Mermaid Atlantic Challenge…a trio of team mates from the Island including Xav Baker (Mermaid Gin’s head honcho) who are planning to row the Atlantic this December…one of the toughest sporting challenges in the world. Meet the team, see the rowing boat and hear talks from special guests and supporters including at 3pm the Canadian Ocean Racing  Team, Mustang Survival Clothing and well known British sailing celebrity Alex Thomson. Ask at the bar for more details and a schedule in the proceeding few days.

Food this year will be provided in the form of delicious fresh cooked pizza and  gourmet Burger  from the team at Captain Takeout.  Believe us, its going be a great place to grab some food and relax, all day and evening!

With a range of great wines, gins and pitcher cocktails, as well as trendy beers from our friends at Camden Brewery in London, the Lawn Bar provides a perfect social destination this Cowes Week for all visitors to Cowes.  No booking is required, but admission is subject to capacity limitations, so get here early to enjoy a  great atmosphere on the lawn.

For those who wish to enquire about booking  a group or corporate party please email us at events@northwoodhouse.org 

Customer notice:

The Right of Admission is reserved and we will not tolerate rowdy, unfriendly or unsociable behaviour in our venue to other customers or our staff. You will be asked to leave by our security team if you do not adhere to this policy and we’ll have no hesitation in calling the police if required.

Over 18’s only, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Challenge 25 applies, so please bring a passport or photo driving licence with you if you look younger than 25 years old.

Admission will be subject to capacity limitations and last admissions times displayed on the gate.

An admission fee will be applicable after 9.30pm: Saturday 30th July -Tuesday 2nd Aug: £3 per person, Weds 3rd-Friday 5th Aug: £10 per person.

Please leave the venue quietly at the end of the night so not to disturb local residents near by.

We reserve the right to close early or not open at all during inclement weather (windy/wet).

No smoking is permitted in marquee or yurt structures to meet fire regulations, including the use of e-cigs.

The venue has a zero drugs policy. Any one caught taking or distributing illegal/banned substances will be evicted immediately and the police will be called.