It’s no Paris, but Brisbane is a perfectly pooch-friendly city. There are parks, creeks, walks and cafes to take your dog, but on hot days wouldn’t it be nice to share a cleansing ale with your best mate of the fury four-legged variety?
Then hear this. As part of Brisbane’s general appeal, there are in fact plenty of bars all across the city that love these woofers (great and small) and cater for them to join you. From the ‘burbs to the inner city, breweries to restaurants, there’s something there for every man and his dog.
Let the dogs out on the town at these dog-friendly drinking establishments.
Mary Mae’s
New Farm
After a couple of laps around New Farm Park, you and your pup can pull-up outside riverside bar . Perched under the Powerhouse, you can take in the sights—the river, the people and the many, many dogs—with one of their famous bloody Marys in hand. Hungry after that bracing exercise? Their thing is fresh seafood and tacos—dig in.
The Triffid
Newstead
Most of you will know The Triffid as one of Brisbane’s best live music venues and we’re certainly not arguing that. But a lesser known fact about the Newstead venue is that it’s a puppy-friendly palace. From midday to 7pm, dogs are welcomed in the outside areas (deck and beer garden) and can join you as you listen to great music, drink in hand, food in mouth.
All In Brewing Co
Banyo
Like beer? There’s plenty of great local breweries across the city where furry friends are welcome, but one of the greats is Banyo’s All in Brewing Co. With an onsite bar where you can sample their hoppy wares—the core and seasonal ranges—there’s also live music, food trucks and ample space to accommodate even the larger breeds of dog.
Revel Brewing
Bulimba
Bulimba is a dog-friendly suburb, particularly the main drag of Oxford Street, bustling with cafes, bars, shops, a big oval and a breezy riverside walk at the end. If you’re looking for a spot to freshen up ad relax, stop in at . They have a comprehensive menu of award-winning beers and rustic wood fired pizzas, they love dogs and on any given Sunday, you can share a pot with your pup—well, you get the pot, they can chow down on a complimentary dog treat.
Suburban Social
Chapel Hill
The name seems perfectly fitting—located in the western suburbs, Chapel Hill signals the start of true suburbia, Brisbane’s barbeque belt and home to many-a-dog. The back courtyard and front benches are just the place for an arvo tipple and nibble with friends, or just with your dog. There’s nothing suburban about the food and drink on offer here, so do yourself a favour and treat yourself to a boutique gin or craft beer.
Yard Doggs
Fortitude Valley
This Valley ale house is one of the very few places that lets you bring your dog inside to mingle with the crowd and the bar staff. are famous for their wings and chilli dogs and have all the usual drinks, with a focus on beer. Test your tastebud grit with some of the death sentence wings, then get your dog to fetch you a big glass of water, STAT.
Sea Legs Brewing
Kangaroo Point
Whether you’ve got two legs or four, test your sea legs at Sea Legs Brewing. Located at the bottom of the Kangaroo Point cliffs, plenty of pups and their owners often walk past, so next time you’re there, stop in to refuel and cool down at this microbrewery. There is a great shaded area outside for you and your pal and always full water bowls for important hydration.
Remy’s
Paddington
is a Paddo favourite, with great burgers and fries and an enticing blackboard listing all the beer, wine and cocktails available. Drive past on most arvos (def a Sunday) and the place is buzzing—in a casual, slightly hipster way. It’s a part deck, part pavement bar, set right on Given Terrace, so easy access for man and dog. Given its popularity, it’s also an easy place for your pup to bank up some serious pats.
Felons Brewing Co.
Brisbane City
Looking for something a little more city, that doesn’t feel like city at all? Felons Brewing Co, down on Howard Smith Wharves has a grassy area, known as The Boat Yard, where friendly pups can join you and your crew. They brew their beer on site, down by the river with the cliffs as their backdrop and using local produce—how Brisbane is that?!t would only be right to sample a couple.
Lokal + Ko
West End
In a Scandi-inspired setting, in a revived West End workers cottage you’ll happen upon Lokal + Co. Here, on their front deck, the goodest of boys (or girls) can make themselves at home and feel the chill vibes with you. Bonus, there’s a well-constructed menu that looks very part as delicious as it does clever. The cocktails are also on point—you must try the New Scandi Sour or Lokal Mule.
Ballistic Beer Co
Salisbury
Another one of Brisbane’s best and most loved breweries, by humans and dogs alike, Ballistic Beer’s HQ is a massive open industrial space with a heap of fresh brews on tap. Best of all, the Ballistic boys are mad for dogs, and even host the odd doggy event.
Granddad Jack’s
Albion
Gin and doggos, what more could you want? We thought this new gin distillery and bar in Albion couldn’t get any better—then they went and told us they were dog-friendly AND BYO food. Pack a cheese plate and some dog treats and settle in for an afternoon at Granddad Jack’s.
Brewdog
Murarrie
With ample space outside for your pup, Brewdog in Murarrie is the ultimate afternoon hangout. Well-behaved puppers can even come inside into the cavernous industrial bar space with you if you want to get out of the sun—and you don’t mind everyone sneaking glances at your furry date. You get beers, your pup gets to be the centre of attention—it’s a win win.
The Wickham
Fortitude Valley
You’ll always find a dog or two hanging out in The Wickham’s outdoor beer garden, being one of the few bars in the centre of the Valley where four-legged friends are just as welcome as two-legged ones. You can even bring ‘em along to their Thursday night trivia—not that they’d really be much help unless the question is ‘What does a dog say?’—you never know.
Slipstream Brewing
Yeerongpilly
Looking schmick after an epic makeover last year, Slipstream Brewing hasn’t shunned our furry friends for its new look—you can still bring them along for brews in the beer garden or the slick industrial drinking and dining area inside. They may turn their puppy dog eyes on you when you tuck into a pizza, burger or smoked meat plate from the brewery’s kitchen, so best bring some dog snacks, but don’t worry, the craft beers are all yours.
The Boundary Hotel
West End
You might not spot it from the street, but The Boundary Hotel has a lush garden bar and beer garden out behind their historic hotel, and puppers are more than welcome. Bring them along for bevvys in the open air, and maybe sneak them a little tidbit from your steak order.
Zero Fox
Teneriffe
Bao buns, craft brews and dog pats—what more could you want of a boozy spot? That’s what you’ll find at Zero Fox in Teneriffe, where the vibes are chill, the food Japanese-inspired and the brews on tap unique and ever changing. Nab a table on the patio for an afternoon session and your dog can occupy themselves watching the locals stroll past.
The Scratch Bar
Milton
Milton’s long standing craft beer and cider bar The Scratch loves a handsome doggo even more than they love beer—and they love beer a lot. Another BYO food spot—Chinese takeaway for you, dog biscuits for your bestie—you may find yourself fighting for attention from the bartenders as they obsess over your pup, but don’t worry, you’ll get to order eventually.
Want a drink, but plan on leaving Fido at home? Find Brisbane’s best craft breweries here.
Image credit: Pandora Photography for DogTap