The Best Dog-Friendly Bars in London

The Dove sits on the Thames at Hammersmith and has one of the longest continuous histories of any London pub — the building dates to the 17th century and the riverside terrace has watched the boat race from a position of comfortable superiority for centuries. Dogs are welcome in the bar and on the terrace. Water bowls appear without prompting. The terrace on a bright afternoon with a Fullers ESB and a well-behaved dog is one of the better afternoons London has to offer.

Order: A pint of Fullers ESB or London Pride — both brewed locally, both correct for a riverside afternoon.

A Victorian pub on Broadway Market that has become one of East London's most dog-inhabited bars through genuine enthusiasm rather than policy. The Saturday morning walk along the Regent's Canal reliably ends here for a large portion of Hackney dog owners, and the bar staff engage with arriving dogs by name on subsequent visits. The kitchen is serious, the beer selection thoughtful, and the tolerance for muddy paws on a rainy Saturday is absolute.

Order: A pint of whatever East London Brewing Co is currently on — they frequently collaborate and the results are good.

A handsome Victorian pub in Earl's Court that does everything correctly — the ornate tilework and pressed tin ceiling upstairs in the theatre are a visual treat, but the ground-floor bar is where the dogs come. An explicit dog welcome, a water bowl at the bar, and staff who don't merely tolerate animals but visibly enjoy the company. Good ales on rotation. The theatre upstairs means an interesting crowd on performance nights.

Order: A guest ale or a glass of whatever the natural wine list is offering — the wine programme has improved significantly.

BrewDog's dog-welcome policy is chain-wide and explicit — they keep dog treats behind every bar, water bowls are standard, and the staff manual apparently covers dog etiquette. The Soho location is centrally useful and the beer range substantial. This is the most consistent dog-welcome experience in the central London craft beer scene, and the certainty of a positive reception makes it worth knowing even if you prefer independent venues.

Order: The Punk IPA or whatever limited release they have on — the rotating taps are better than the flagship range.

The Harp has been CAMRA's National Pub of the Year and maintains a level of real ale quality that justifies the frequent visits of people who care about such things. Dogs have been welcome at the bar for as long as the current management has been in place — the regulars include several well-known locals whose dogs have their own drinking reputations. Central London, three minutes from Charing Cross, and consistently excellent across both the ale selection and the welcome it gives four-legged guests.

Order: Ask what's on the guest cask. The selection rotates and the staff know their range in detail.

Alastair Hook's specialist beer bar near Greenwich Market has a focused selection of Meantime beers and other well-chosen imports, alongside one of the more relaxed attitudes to dogs in South East London. The outdoor seating area is fully dog-friendly and the interior bar is tolerant on quieter evenings. An excellent stop on the Greenwich walk circuit and a reliable destination for dog owners in SE10.

Order: A Meantime Pale Ale or the London Lager — both brewed a short walk away and consistently well-kept here.

A warm neighbourhood pub in Belsize Park that has earned genuine dog-destination status through years of consistent enthusiasm. The weekend morning dog meetups that organically formed in the beer garden have become semi-regular events — owners from across North London make the walk specifically for the combination of good company, strong coffee before noon, and a reliable welcome for any dog of any temperament. The evening programme is solid pub fare with decent ales.

Order: A pint of whatever guest ale is on in the evening; strong coffee in the morning if you're early.

A relaxed gastropub in Earl's Court that takes its dog welcome seriously — the bar area maintains a dedicated dog water station and the staff are enthusiastic rather than merely tolerant. The kitchen turns out better-than-average pub food and the ale selection is carefully chosen. An easy destination for West London dog owners who want a proper drink in a proper room without navigating a negotiation about whether four-legged company is acceptable.

Order: The Sunday roast if timing allows, a pint of ale any other time. The kitchen is worth the visit.