Catho Pub ("Catherine Hill Bay Hotel")

The Catho Pub, officially the Catherine Hill Bay Hotel, is the old coastal pub at 24 Clarke Street in the historic village of Catherine Hill Bay on the Lake Macquarie coast. Weathered verandahs, classic pub food and weekend live music, and a long-standing reputation for welcoming dogs after the beach.

The dog setup

No official pet policy is published, but the community consensus is solid: well-behaved dogs are welcome in the large, mostly shaded beer garden and on the front verandah. Keep your dog leashed and settled, and stick to the outdoor areas, as indoor dining stays people-only. It is a relaxed setup where a polite dog at the table is the norm rather than the exception.

The vibe

This is an old pub that has not been polished into oblivion, and that is the point. The bistro does proper portions of calamari, chicken parma, schnitzels and steak sandwiches, sized for people coming off a big morning in the surf. Live music rolls through on weekend afternoons, which lifts the yard from sleepy to session.

Pepsi: the beer garden is the spot, plenty of shade and room to settle. On a live music Sunday it fills early, so claim a table before the first set if your dog likes a calm corner.

Getting there

The pub sits on Clarke Street in the middle of the Catherine Hill Bay village, a short drive off the Pacific Highway. Street parking surrounds the pub, and the beach is a two-minute walk downhill, which is exactly how most people arrive.

Make a day of it

Pair the pub with water time: Budgewoi dog beach and the Swansea dog exercise area are both within easy reach for off-lead runs. If you are staying over, Salty Paws at Caves Beach takes dogs, and Boffee covers the morning coffee.

More options are on the New South Wales pub guide and the Catherine Hill Bay destination page. The pub opens from 10am daily, trading later on Friday and Saturday nights.