Discover Melbourne’s best dog‑friendly beer gardens
Nothing says summer like a cold pint in the sunshine with your four‑legged companion sprawled at your feet. Melbourne’s pub scene serves up plenty of venues where dogs are not just allowed but embraced. From riverside decks to leafy backyards and sprawling food‑truck parks, these beer gardens offer space to relax, good food, and specials to tempt you back every weekend. Here are five venues around Melbourne where you and your pup can make the most of the warm weather.
The Boatbuilders Yard – South Wharf
Address: 23 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf, VIC 3006
Why go: This waterfront bar and café sits on the Yarra, making it one of the city’s most scenic beer gardens. The menu focuses on share‑friendly dishes like crispy fried chicken and sliders. Throughout summer, Sunday Sessions run from 4 pm to 8 pm with $16 cocktails, $11 pints and $9 wines plus live DJs. Dogs are welcome throughout the expansive deck – staff even bring out water bowls so your pooch can cool off while you sip a spritz.
Great Northern Hotel – Carlton North
Address: 644 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North, VIC 3054
Why go: Famous for its huge beer garden and live sports screens, this Carlton institution is a magnet for locals. Specials are a big part of its charm: think $15 chicken parmas on Mondays, steak deals on Tuesdays, burgers on Thursdays and hearty roasts on Sundays. The outdoor area is shaded and spacious, with water bowls and dog treats on hand. On warm days it’s packed with punters and their pups watching footy or chatting over jugs of craft beer.
Welcome to Thornbury – Northcote
Address: 520 High Street, Northcote, VIC 3070
Why go: Built on the site of a former car yard, this 4,000 m² venue is Australia’s first permanent food‑truck park. Up to six food trucks pull up each week, with cuisine ranging from burgers and tacos to vegan delights, and there’s an indoor bar pouring craft brews and cocktails. The sprawling outdoor section is dog‑friendly – management even joke that they prefer canine customers to humans – as long as your pup stays on a leash. Check the venue’s calendar for themed food events and live music nights.
The Standard Hotel – Fitzroy
Address: 293 Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065
Why go: This historic pub has been serving the Fitzroy community since 1865. Hidden behind its street‑front façade is a lush beer garden with festoon lights, shady trees and plenty of seating. It’s the perfect place for a long lunch of schnitzels and steaks or a lazy afternoon of pints and pats. Dogs are welcome outside and often gather with their owners for weekend sessions. The pub is known for its friendly service, classic pub fare and laid‑back atmosphere.
The Windsor Castle – Windsor
Address: 89 Albert Street, Windsor, VIC 3181
Why go: Locals know this corner pub by the three pink elephants on its roof. Step inside and head out back to find a leafy beer garden framed by bamboo and tropical plants. It’s a sun‑drenched space designed for long, lazy afternoons. Generous pub classics, crisp pints and a relaxed vibe make it feel like you’re at a mate’s place. There’s no need to book – grab a table and let your dog stretch out under the bench while you enjoy the good company. The venue often hosts live music and summer drink specials to sweeten the deal.
These five venues prove you don’t need to leave your best friend at home to enjoy a pint in the sunshine. Melbourne’s dog‑friendly beer gardens offer everything from riverside views to retro arcade games, and many run weekly specials that make it worth returning again and again. Just remember to keep your pup on a leash, provide them with water on hot days and be considerate of other patrons. Then settle in for a summer of cold drinks, delicious food and wagging tails.