Why should humans have all the fun? A growing number of Melbourne’s pubs and bars are upping their facilities for you and your four-legged friend, giving them inside access, providing treats and pats, and even creating their own beer.
This pawsome bunch are leading the pack.

Caretaker’s Cottage

Yes, it may have won almost every award going around recently (including Good Food Guide 2023 Bar of the Year), but this stonkingly charming little bar’s explosion in popularity hasn’t dampened the ‘all are welcome (including dogs)’ philosophy. Far from it. Dog beds are rolled out, water topped up, nothing is too much trouble for good boys and girls (and their owners) at this cosy city sanctuary. Time it right (late afternoon is probably best) for the best chance of scooping a spot for you and your best bud, and settle in for Guinness and gentle good times.
For the humans: As their motto goes, “always Guinness, punch and wine” (and sometimes Welsh rarebit).

139-141 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne; caretakerscottage.bar

Marquis of Lorne

“Bring your dog” says the big sign over the bar at this perennially popular Fitzroy corner classic. You don’t need to ask twice. Friendly bar staff are always up for a pat and a chat, and dogs aren’t just tolerated but encouraged to hang out inside the downstairs (and most fun) part of the pub, pull up a prized patch of carpet in front of the open fireplace and wait patiently for a famously good chip to fall their way.
For the humans: Tuesday’s steak night ($24) and Sunday’s roast ($34) are two of the best in Melbourne and both make my dog’s nose just about twitch off his muzzle with excitement.

411 George Street, Fitzroy; marquisoflorne.com.au

Hop Nation

There’s nothing like knocking the top off a frothy with your best mate, and at independently owned Footscray craft brewery Hop Nation you can do just that. Yes, they have their own dog and human-friendly “beer” (aka bone broth), Dog Nation, that contains collagen protein, more than 19 amino acids and is vet-approved. From tap room to brewery, no area is out of bounds for you and your furry pal, just keep them on the lead and kick back!
For the humans: There are 15 taps of various ales, IPAs, stouts and lagers to choose from if bone broth’s not really your thing.

107-109 Whitehall Street, Footscray; hopnation.com.au

Royal Oak

Talk (or yap) about a crowdpleaser for friends of all ages and persuasions. This recently restored grand old Fitzroy North classic ticks all great pub boxes, with a beautiful dining room perfect for family occasions, streetside tables for casual catch-ups, and a handsome front bar beaut for spontaneous beers and counter meals, where doggos happily mingle with humans, sometimes side-by-side sitting upright on high stools along the bar as they watch the world go by. No biggie. Bonus points for the roaring fireplace in winter, too.
For the humans: The pub grub is a cut above, it’s hard to go past the chicken schnitty ($30) served atop a pool of gravy, with a side of chicken salt chips.

442 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North; royaloakhotel.co

Lulie Tavern and Full Moon Fever

For rock dogs old and young, human and canine, Lulie Tavern and its new-ish rooftop bar, Full Moon Rising, is the ultimate spot to refresh - perhaps after a run around dog-friendly (and fully fenced) Victoria Park footy ground across the road. Pick the best spot for your and your pooch - dark and divey downstairs or Americana cool, Collingwood-style upstairs. Like the music, it all rocks.
For the humans: Juicy, crispy $1 buffalo wings on Thursdays and great burgers and fried chicken all of the time.

225 Johnston Street, Abbotsford; lulietavern.com

The Great Northern Hotel

Come for the huge chicken parma, stay for the pups at this legendary Carlton North pub with its sprawling beer garden and dog wall of fame. These guys love dogs so much they have a devoted Instagram account with nearly 7000 followers. There’s dog snacks, water bowls, plentiful pats, shelter from the rain, and footy on the big screens, aka everything you need for the perfect weekend afternoon with your best friend/s.
For the humans: Parma night Mondays ($20), steak night on Tuesdays ($25), burger night Thursdays ($20) and a cracking range of beers on tap always.

644 Rathdowne St, Carlton North; gnh.net.au

The Carringbush Hotel

This old Abbotsford favourite has had quite the makeover of late, offering something for everyone, dogs included (except maybe your steak-loving mate, the menu is all vegetarian). Live music (usually starring the piano) is a speciality, there’s someone great tinkling the ivories many week nights, and interesting art exhibitions make this much more than just another watering hole - albeit one with 30 beers and wine on tap. One for the cultured pups among us.
For the humans: All-vegan taco night Mondays and Tuesdays ($5 each), inventive vegie versions of your meaty pub grub favourites and the ‘wall of sauces’.

The Rainbow Hotel

Fitzroy’s backstreets must be the dog pub centre of the universe, for here is yet another great one, with a covered all-weather-friendly beer garden that is many a local’s yappy place. Bonus points for the beer-garden facing bar that means you can order that much-needed drink without leaving your dog’s side - great for COVID-dogs with human separation anxiety (or is it the other way around?!).
For the humans: Burger night Monday ($18), steak night Wednesdays ($25) and a great Sunday roast with all the trimmings ($27).

27 St David Street, Fitzroy herainbow.com.au

Zymurgy

One of the best eating and drinking spots in the west gets extra brownie points for 1) being located in Barkly Street (woof!) and 2) for being legitimately dog-friendly and proud of it. Pull up a paw in the gravelly courtyard, perhaps throw down a rug for your four-legged friend, and share plates, drinks and good times with your new West Footscray friends, both two-legged and four.
For the humans: Excellent share-friendly plates like the half-glazed roast chook with dijon chats and shaved cabbage ($28), and a cracking local drink selection including Hop Nation beer − both dog and human-friendly.

561 Barkly Street, West Footscray; zymurgywest.com.au

Leadbeater Hotel

“As long as they don’t relieve themselves, we’re happy to have them”, says the team from the Leadbeater Hotel when asked if they welcome dogs inside. Indeed. This corner Richmond pub has a busy calendar of events including trivia, drag bingo and live bands, so there’s never a dull moment for you and your extroverted furry friend. There are water bowls on hand to keep them hydrated, just remember to take them outside to you-know-what.
For the humans: On Wednesdays, it’s trivia night and $18 parmas, and there are discount ‘knock-off drinks’ from 6-8pm every day.

1 Church Street, Richmond; leadbeaterhotel.com.au

The Newmarket Hotel

Bone appetit! Famous (in canine circles) for its $5 dog parmas, slick fit out and party atmosphere, the pup-friendly beer garden is where it’s at for St Kilda’s sociable dog-loving set. Get your wag on with meal specials, live sport and a lively atmosphere, where stroking, patting (and occasional drooling) is not just tolerated but encouraged.
For the humans: Mex Mondays for $5 tacos and $12 frozen margs, and Wednesday steak night from $25 a head.

34 Inkerman Street, St Kilda; newmarketstkilda.com.au