Alexandra Headlands Hotel

The Alexandra Headlands Hotel, known to everyone on the Sunshine Coast as The Alex, sits on Alexandra Parade directly opposite the beach. It is a big, buzzing seaside pub with ocean views, live music and a solid bistro, and the outdoor front area welcomes dogs. After a walk along the sand or the coastal path, it is the easiest kind of stop: lead tied near the table, order the calamari, watch the surf.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor front and patio seating but not inside the bistro or bar areas. Leads stay on and dogs stay under control at the table. Staff will often bring out a water bowl on hot days, though it pays to ask rather than assume, and a travel bowl removes any doubt. If you are unsure which outdoor zones are dog friendly on a given day, check with staff when you arrive, as outdoor boundaries can shift with events.

Max: Stick to the outdoor patio and keep the lead short during Sunday live music, the crowd builds fast.

The vibe

This is a proper local institution: pokies, karaoke, raffles, Sunday afternoon live music and a menu of pub classics done well, with the barramundi and steaks getting regular mentions. The outdoor tables have the million-dollar outlook. Weekday afternoons are the quiet window; weekend lunches fill the outdoor seating early, so arrive before the midday rush with a dog in tow.

Getting there and parking

The pub is at 98-110 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland, with free on-site parking plus street parking along the parade. The coastal pathway passes the door, so walking in from Mooloolaba or Cotton Tree is easy. It trades long hours daily, from mid-morning through late night.

Pair it with

Alex Beach is across the road for a pre-lunch swim, and the Alex Headland to Mooloolaba boardwalk makes a good leg-stretcher first. Francis Bean nearby covers the morning coffee. More dog-friendly pubs in QLD are listed on the state page, and the suburb's picks sit on the Alexandra Headland guide.