The Mallow

The Mallow is a gastropub at 18-20 Skipton Street, just off Ballarat Central's main grid, built around one of the city's strongest independent craft beer lists. It is a casual, high-turnover room rather than a special-occasion sit-down, and the outdoor courtyard seating is where dogs fit in. That combination of value nights, rotating taps and a shady patio has made it a default after-work stop for local owners.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor courtyard and patio seating, on leash and staying with you at the table. The indoor bar and dining rooms are for humans, with assistance animals the usual exception, so state your preference for outside when you book or order. Water bowls are not guaranteed on the tables, so bring your own and ask staff to top it up.

The food side runs to elevated pub classics, share plates and proper vegetarian and gluten-free options, and the week is built around value nights: a Hop Dog Tuesday pairing a hot dog with a pot of Dollar Bill Brewing lager, parma and steak specials through the week, Sunday roasts, and a weekday happy hour on house schooners and wines. Craft taps and cans rotate constantly, so the board is worth reading before you order.

Pepsi: the courtyard fills early on deal nights. Book an outdoor table if you are bringing the dog, or aim for the 4pm opening on a weekday.

Getting there and parking

Skipton Street sits a short walk south of the CBD grid, with street parking on Skipton and the surrounding side streets. Walking in from the centre is the easy option with a dog, and it settles them before you sit down.

Close by with the dogs

For another dog-friendly craft beer session, Hop Temple is a short walk away on Armstrong Street, and Irish Murphy's covers the traditional beer-garden angle. Earls Deli is the daytime counterpart for a coffee and sandwich run with the dog along.

More options are on the Victoria dog-friendly guide and the Ballarat Central destination page.