Sydney's Ten Best Dog Friendly Bars

Want to have a perfect Sydney Sunday afternoon? Grab your dog, a couple of buddies and walk around the cliffs of South Head, checking out the lighthouse, the Gap and Camp Cove. Then on the way home drop by the Beach Club at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel for a refreshing drink — cocktails or frothies for you and your mates and a big bowl of water for the pooch. Management here are super chill with dogs — we brought in a Labrador one afternoon and she was scruffled and snuggled for a good five minutes by the floor staff before we could place our order.

North Shore types will remember this huge Pacific Highway pub as ‘the place everyone from high school who you haven’t seen in eight years goes to for Christmas Eve’ but it’s also an excellent venue to bring your pooch for a drink, a decent feed and a cuddle. The big wooden tables out the front are perfect to park a pup under, and the prices for jugs are super reasonable. Management are strict about keeping your dog on a leash, but given that this place is on a major road that shouldn’t really be a problem.

In most dog-friendly pubs, dogs are restricted to outside areas — but not so at Paddington’s Grand National. Manager Matthew Walker says the whole of the front bar is pet friendly. It’s an old-school pub, dark wood and carpet kind of vibe, with high tables and chairs that your furry friend can happily sit underneath. The legends at the Nash have dog treats and dog bowls on hand for four-legged guests — just don’t take your dog into the bistro area and you’ll be sweet.

Even after their significant renovation, one major thing has remained unchanged at The Sheaf. Dogs still rule the roost, and are still allowed into the Garden Bar with its seasonal cocktail list and above-average menu of pub snacks. No doubt your pooch will be begging for a chunk of grain fed eye fillet or pulled pork quesadilla, but trust us — you aren’t going to want to share. There’s live music in the Garden Bar almost every night of the week too, so your doggo can get a full cultural diet too.

This gastro-pub in the quiet back streets of Chippendale has plenty of two-legged fans of the menu. This isn’t just your standard ‘beef burger and nachos’ type of place,’ instead think duck cassoulet or eight hour braised lamb shoulder for dinner. Four-legged guests are made to feel just as welcome – well behaved pooches have been spotted in the library-style sitting areas, but are mostly confined to the huge outdoor beer garden at the back. The bar owners are always more than happy to grab your mate a bowl of water, as they pour your next delicious pint.

Everyone who comes to Bondi Beach comments on the incredible view – at the Bucket List it’s no exception. An endless vista of pugs, huskies, golden retrievers, and every variety of ‘-oodle’ under the sun. Apparently there’s a really pretty beach somewhere there too but we’re here for the pups! This beachfront bar loves its furrier guests as long as they stay on a lead and outside. The cocktails are great, the wine list decent and the pork crackling burger is immense. Puppy heaven.

DOG FRIENDLY proclaims all the advertising for this hipster haven on busy Cleveland Street, right on the border of Surry Hills and Redfern. The garden area out the back is excellent for long catch ups fuelled by tinnies, tacos and deep-fried pickles. Be warned though — this pub has a very high attendance rate from pet-starved renters. They will, repeat will, try to snuggle your pooch. It’s best to let them get some puppy snuggles in — pet ownership is a distant dream for so many in Sydney.

Merivale’s Newport home boasts one of the best beer gardens on the northern beaches. It’s also one of the hottest places for pooches of the area to be shown off. Justin Hemmes and co are super happy for you to have your dog with you, as long as she stays on a lead and tied up at all times. With a giant Scrabble board, ping pong tables and a heap of different places to eat in the venue it’s a solid day out for the crew — whether they have four legs or just two.

At this huge inner-west corner pub, dogs are treated as legitimate guests. The whole basketball court and outdoor deck is open for pooches and if you ask one of the bartenders they’ll usually rustle you up a plastic container of water to keep your best bud happy. The food is excellent, the music is usually fun and laid back and it’s a perfect place for a Sunday afternoon session. There’s also a pretty great park across the road if your four-legged-friend gets a little restless and needs a few throws of the old stick.

Possibly Sydney’s most dog-friendly watering hole is this huge Bourke Street stalwart. They put on a freaking amazing dog show every year, with decent prizes and puppies of all shapes and sizes dressed up to the nines. The huge outdoor courtyard has heaps of seating, and though the crowds do get a bit rowdier at nights dogs are always welcome. Monday to Thursdays kids eat free with adults, so if you need to get the whole family out of the house it’s perfect.