The Crown & Anchor Hotel

The Crown & Anchor, known locally as The Cranka, is a historic pub on the corner of Hunter and Perkins Streets in central Newcastle, pouring on that corner for over a century. It pairs a classic public bar and bistro with a busy events calendar, and dogs are welcome in its outdoor spaces.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas, including the beer garden and the footpath tables along Hunter Street. Indoors stays for people and assistance animals only, as at any food-serving pub. Staff are generally accommodating with dogs, but bring your own water bowl and check in on arrival for the best spot to settle, especially before an event night fills the front.

The vibe

The bistro runs lunch and dinner daily with hearty pub classics, and the schnitzel is the draw: Wednesday schnitzel night serves a chicken schnitzel with a choice of toppers, while other weeknights run pizza and pasta deals, tacos and burger-and-beer specials. There is something on most nights, from trivia and pool competitions to karaoke and live music on weekends, so the energy is lively rather than quiet. Pick a weekday afternoon if your dog prefers calmer surrounds.

Getting there and parking

The address is 189 Hunter Street, Newcastle. Street parking on Hunter Street and the side streets is metered and tight, with the Civic West car park about a five minute walk. Newcastle's light rail runs along Hunter Street with stops close to the door, which makes a car-free arrival easy.

Close by with the dogs

King Edward Park and its off leash area sit a short walk up the hill for a proper run, and the harbour foreshore paths lead on to Horseshoe Beach, where dogs can swim. Both make a good warm-up before a schnitzel or a wind-down after.

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