81 Bar & Grill

81 Bar & Grill, also trading as 81 Bistro & Taphouse, sits right on the High Street strip in Berwick at 81 High Street. It is a modern bistro room with a full bar, and its outdoor seating out the front is where dogs can join you rather than inside.

The dog setup

Guests bring dogs to the front outdoor tables, which are the practical dog zone; the main restaurant and bar inside are off limits, as they are for most Victorian hospitality venues. One honest caveat: the venue does not publish a formal pet policy, so treat the outdoor tables as call-ahead rather than guaranteed. Ring (03) 9768 9555 before you go, and mention the dog when you book. Bring your own water bowl, keep the lead short and the dog tucked under the table.

Worth knowing

The kitchen runs an elevated bistro menu and the bar covers tap beer and cocktails, and the room leans livelier on weekends than a quiet lunch spot. Bookings are taken through OpenTable under the 81 Bistro & Taphouse name, which is the easiest way to lock in an outdoor table. If you need a table shape that works with a dog at your feet rather than a high-top, ask when you call.

Pepsi: High Street footpath dining is council-rule territory, so a two-minute phone call saves a tied-up-and-disappointed dog.

Getting there and parking

Free street parking runs along High Street and the side streets, and Berwick station is a short walk for anyone coming by train.

While you're out there

Pioneers Park and the dog-friendly Berwick Village strip are close for an on-lead wander before or after. More dog-friendly restaurants in Victoria and the rest of Berwick are listed on site.