King O'Malley's

King O'Malley's is a traditional Irish pub on City Walk in the middle of Civic, all timber, stone and live music, and it is a confirmed dog-friendly venue. Well-behaved dogs can join their owners out front for a pint, which makes it one of the easiest city-centre pub stops to combine with a walk through Civic.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the street-level outdoor area and footpath seating along City Walk; indoor access is limited to service animals. Dogs must stay on lead and under control, and staff are used to canine visitors, with water bowls often out in the outdoor area, though bringing your own is the safer bet. Plan on an outdoor table rather than the snug interior.

Max: a packed pub with live music is a lot for a nervy dog. Come earlier in the day for the quieter footpath tables, and skip it if your dog frets in crowds.

The vibe

The kitchen is hearty Irish pub fare: Guinness pie, schnitzels, buffalo wings and chicken parma, with a broad spirit selection and regular live music that draws a crowd. It gets busy and loud, particularly on evenings and weekends, so it suits social dogs that are comfortable around noise and people. Early in the day or early evening is the calmer window.

Getting there

The pub sits at 131 City Walk near the Canberra Centre. Paid parking is available in the Canberra Centre garages and on nearby city streets around Ainslie Avenue and Akuna Street, and the Civic bus interchanges are close by, so it is easy to reach without a car.

While you're out there

Garema Place and the City Walk pedestrian zone are right on the doorstep for a stroll, and the Haig Park Dog Agility Course in Braddon is a short walk away for a proper run before lunch. The Molonglo River and Lake Burley Griffin Loop Track covers a longer lakeside walk, and The Civic Pub is the alternate dog-friendly pub nearby.

More options are on the ACT dog-friendly pubs guide and the Canberra destination page.