The Standard Hotel

The Standard Hotel is a backstreet Fitzroy pub at 293 Fitzroy Street with one of the more relaxed beer gardens in the area, a good pick when you want to skip the Brunswick Street crush. Dogs are welcome in that outdoor space, which keeps the visit simple.

The dog setup

The leafy, plant-filled courtyard is where your dog goes, kept on a lead at all times, and the indoor bar is not for dogs. A retractable roof covers part of the garden, so it holds up in changeable Melbourne weather, and water bowls are usually out in the outdoor area.

The vibe

This is an old-school Fitzroy pub rather than a venue-driven one: hearty classic food, a parma that earns its reputation, a steak sandwich, and a solid local beer list with a happy hour. It runs from midday most days, with Mondays opening at 3pm, and the secluded garden is quieter than the big pubs on the main strip.

It suits a settled dog that will lie under a table for a couple of hours. The garden can fill on weekend afternoons, so an early lunch gives you the pick of spots away from the gate.

Max: stick to the beer garden and keep the lead on. The indoor bar is not the place to bring a dog here.

Getting there

The pub sits on Fitzroy Street, reachable via the route 11 tram on Brunswick Street or a short walk from Gertrude Street. Street parking on Fitzroy and George streets comes with permit zones and time limits, so public transport is the easier option.

While you're out there

The Princes Park Dog Off Leash Area is a short drive north for a run before or after lunch, and the Rainbow Hotel on St David Street is another dog-friendly courtyard pub nearby for a second round.

More options are on the Victoria pub guide and the Fitzroy destination page.