The Riverton Bar and Grill

The Riverton Bar and Grill, known locally as The Rivo, is the neighbourhood pub on Willeri Drive in Parkwood, a short hop from Riverton and the Canning River in Perth's south. It is a family friendly bar and grill with a big pub menu, an alfresco deck and a well worn local following of more than two thousand reviewers. Dogs are welcome in the designated alfresco area, which the venue flagged on its own socials when the new alfresco opened.

The dog setup

The alfresco section is the dog friendly zone: bring your dog on a leash, take an outdoor table and keep your mate at your feet while you eat. The house rules are refreshingly specific. Owners clean up after their dogs, bring their own waste bags, and can ask staff for a water bowl on request. Because the alfresco has been trialled as a dog friendly space, it is worth confirming a dog friendly table when you book for a busy Friday or Saturday night.

The vibe

The menu leans classic pub with a Thai influence running through the kitchen. Chicken parmigiana, porterhouse steak, steak sandwiches, pork ribs and chilli mussels are the staples, with share plates like truffled mac and cheese balls, chicken satay skewers and sticky wings to start. Lunch runs from 11am Wednesday to Sunday, with dinner service extending later on Friday and Saturday. The room is casual and family oriented, and outdoor seating is where dog owners naturally end up.

Getting there and parking

The Rivo sits on Willeri Drive in Parkwood, roughly 15 minutes from the Perth CBD and easy to reach from Riverton, Shelley and Willetton via Riverton Drive or Leach Highway. There is parking on site, and the venue is a reasonable walk from the Canning River paths if you are linking it to a river walk. The pub trades from 11am daily, closing earlier on weeknights.

While you're out there

The river reserves nearby are on leash to protect the wildlife, so for proper off leash time point the car at Wilson Park Fenced Dog Park or Olives Reserve Fenced Dog Park in Como, both within a 15 minute drive. For a lead on walk first, the Canning River Nature Walk is the closest river circuit. If you are staying in the area, Budget Apartments in Como is one of the nearby options.

Max: parmy on the deck, my own water bowl, and a river walk beforehand. The Rivo does it right.

Browse more venues on the WA pubs list or see Parkwood for the wider neighbourhood.