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Overview
Drinking sessions with your mates are a cornerstone of the weekend. But, for those fur baby parents out there, there's nothing worse than getting stuck in and then realising you have to rush out to take care of your pup. For you, the best session is one when your best two-legged and four-legged mates are all there.
We've teamed up with American Express to show Sydney dog owners that you don't need to choose between seeing your friends or hanging out with your pup. These American Express-accepting spots offer some of the best food and bevs in the city, all while catering to your doggo with special menus, play areas and outdoor seating. Looking for a spot where your dog is welcomed as much as your, er, human friends? These venues are here for you.
Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
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Though the Petersham Public House lets your doggo roam throughout the venue, the outdoor beer garden is a favourite among dog-owning and dog-loving locals. The enclosed drinking den boasts Brooklyn vibes and the space is workable for any weather — ensuring you and your pup can stay nice and warm during chilly nights and well shaded during the sunny days, all while getting some much needed fresh air.
At the bar, it’s got plenty of locally made craft brews on hand for you and your human mates, and the bartenders are known to keep a few dog treats behind the bar, too. For eats, the menu focuses on fresh produce, some of which comes straight from the herb garden out back. Or go for the woodfired pizzas — you can use a slice to make new friends with the dog family at the next table over.
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The Newport is a regular haunt for puppy parents who appreciate the venue’s laidback attitude toward their pets. The northern beaches favourite is more than happy for you to bring your pup along, as long as they’re on a lead at all times (understandably).
You and your dog can have quite the outing at The Newport, and you’ll leave feeling like you’ve gone on a venue-crawl without even leaving the premises. Walk your doggo through the restaurant’s marketplace-like stalls that offer everything from fresh seafood to pub meals and woodfired pizza — the options almost feel limitless here.
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Outdoor time with your best mate is ideal, but with the cool weather blowing in, sitting outside isn’t always a possibility. Luckily, The Carrington allows your doggo anywhere on the premises as long as they’re on a leash. The pub even has a $6 dog meal deal, with steak and veggies or beef tartare options. Plus, if you come in on a Sunday, your dog’s meal is free with any human roast purchase.
Other specials on offer for adults include a daily $5 happy hour from 4–6pm and $10 cocktails from 9–10pm, plus a $20 burger and beer special on Wednesdays and $20 steak and wine on Thursdays. Basically, there are heaps here for you and your doggo to get (overly) excited about.
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Erskineville’s Naked Brew doesn’t just let you bring your pup along to brekkie, it has a whole menu dedicated to dogs. If you’re into matching your meal with your doggo’s, this cafe especially caters to you. Settle into one of the outdoor tables and order coffees for you and your furry friend — their’s is the doggie-chino topped with frothed goat’s milk and liver sprinkles.
For eats, pair your apple crumble brioche French toast with a doughnut for the pup (maybe the pup-safe peanut butter variety). If you’re both on a health kick, the menu also offers plenty of veg brekkie options along with fresh pressed juices for you, plus a peanut butter and blueberry smoothie for your pup. Overall, the cafe’s laidback vibes and friendly staff give you and your best mate the perfect excuse to laze the day away.
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Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel is the place to go after a day walking around the cliffs of South Head with your best four-legged (and two-legged) mates. The Beach Club has direct beach access, outdoor seating and doggo-loving staff to boot. Nab a seat under the umbrellas while your pooch relaxes at your feet with a big bowl of water. You’ll have to remember to BYO doggie snacks though, as your pooch will certainly be hungry after your trek. Assuming you’ll need sustenance too, Wastons has $15 specials on from 5pm every day of the week, including taco Tuesdays and fish and chips Thursdays. Grab a few cold brews and let your pooch take a well-deserved nap.
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Cuckoo Callay’s Newtown outpost has been catering to dogs with its outdoor patio and pup-specific menu since way back in 2014. Now, the second outpost in Surry Hills is giving you even more reason to bring your fur baby along with an extended menu for dogs. The menu already featured pup-achinos and biscuits, and has since added pupcakes and house-made maple bacon treats to its dog-friendly seciton.
For humans, both cafes have Cuckoo Callay original favourites on the menu, like the Bacon Mac Daddy: a croissant stuffed with double smoked bacon, bacon mac and cheese, a fried egg and bacon tomato jam.
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Since its big reno back in 2016, The Paddo Inn has re-secured its spot as a local mainstay. It’s exactly what you want from a contemporary pub bistro — high ceilings, painted brick and, most importantly, space for you and your pup. The front bar is the dedicated doggo area, and the bartenders even have treats to share with your furry friends. The front bar is also the spot to be for weekday happy hour, when they dish out $6 local beers and house wine from 5–7pm.
For eats, chef Mark Holland serves up burgers, steaks, salads and bar snacks like ham hock and gruyère croquettes and spicy chicken wings with ranch sauce.
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The Winery is a long-standing favourite for wine lovers in Sydney, and with a focus on Champagne and natural wines, it’s also one of the classiest spots to take your pooch in Sydney. The twinkling garden is removed from the Crown Street bustle and the outdoor space adds more than a touch of opulence to your puppy outing. The staff will also treat your doggo with just as much love as they do the two-legged members of your group. If you’re looking for a place to share a few nibbles and drinks with furry and non-furry friends alike, this one should be on the list.
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Greengate Hotel has been around forever, and this Killara stalwart has long secured its place as one of the north shore’s favourite watering holes — likely in part because it welcomes your four-legged mate along, too. The menu takes inspiration from hearty British pub grub, with specialties like beer-battered flathead, roast spatchcock and lamb shoulder to share. The pub also offers a weekday lunch special of any main and a glass of wine for $25.
Your dog can join you for your meal, as long as she’s kept on a leash, of course. To top it all off, there’s a large selection of beers throughout the venue, with well-priced jugs and tables out front that’ll offer your pooch a nice sheltered spot to hand under.
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Bar No. 5 doesn’t just talk the talk about being a local joint. The repurposed warehouse bar in Alexandria is focused not only on seasonality and sourcing local ingredients, but is also enacting a closed-loop policy for the venue — think foraging, beekeeping, solar panels and a composting worm farm to boot.
If all this doesn’t make them neighbourhood champions, the bar also has an alcove dog area with leash hooks. It’s an ideal spot to hang with your fur baby any day of the week — especially on Sundays when the bar offers live music and chef’s happy hour deals from 5–7pm. For the winter months, the dog-friendly courtyard also offers multiple gas fireplaces for you and your pup to cuddle up to.