The Oaks

The Oaks is a Lower North Shore institution at 118 Military Road, Neutral Bay, built around a sprawling open-air beer garden anchored by a grand old oak tree strung with fairy lights. That leafy courtyard is where dogs are welcome, and it is the reason to come with one.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor beer garden and at the front footpath tables, not in the indoor bars and dining rooms. The garden mixes umbrella-shaded and covered seating across a big footprint. One thing to know: at busy times staff can direct dog seating to a particular section of the garden, so check in on arrival and ask where to settle before you order. Bring a portable water bowl rather than relying on the venue.

The vibe

This is a genuinely busy pub with thousands of reviews behind it, so expect crowds on weekends and warm evenings. The Bar and Grill runs an in-house butcher selection where you pick your cut, from sirloin to scotch fillet, alongside pub classics like the steak sandwich. Mussels in a rich broth are a regular favourite, wood-fired pizzas cover the table share, and craft beers pour from a long tap list with temperature-controlled wines and cocktails alongside.

Getting there and parking

There is no dedicated customer car park, so rely on street parking on surrounding streets such as Ben Boyd Road or Yeo Street, or take the Military Road buses that stop nearby. The pub trades long hours daily, from mid-morning through to late.

Max: The garden gets loud and packed on weekends. If your dog is noise-shy, aim for a quiet weekday and take the covered corner away from the main flow.

Close by with the dogs

The Waverton Park to Balls Head Reserve loop is a short drive for a proper harbour-side walk, and the village strip has dog-tolerant coffee stops like Cafe Zozo and Little Bear Pantry for earlier in the day.

For more options, browse other dog friendly pubs in NSW or see what else is on around Neutral Bay.