Fantome Wine Bar & Cocktails

Fantome is a moody, French-inspired wine bar and cocktail lounge at 126 Ryrie Street in central Geelong, known for creative cocktails, a list of more than 100 wines by the glass and modern French share plates. It is an evening venue first and a date-night favourite, and the dog angle is the outdoor sidewalk-style seating out front rather than the candlelit room inside.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating, which is where your table needs to be; the interior is a people-only space. Pet-specific amenities are not advertised, so bring your own water bowl. The room is small and the bar books out on weekend peaks, so call ahead on 0403 875 871 or book through OpenTable and ask specifically for an outdoor table if you are bringing the dog.

Worth knowing

The signature pistachio cocktail, seasonal creations and a European-leaning wine list carry the drinks side, with baked camembert, charcuterie and French-inspired plates from the kitchen. This is a slow, sit-down drinks-and-dinner spot, so it suits a settled, low-key dog who will stay put through a long sitting. Hours run 4pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday and Sunday, with a noon start on Friday and Saturday until 1am.

Getting there and parking

The bar sits mid-block on Ryrie Street in the CBD. Metered street parking lines Ryrie Street and the side streets, and the nearby Haymarket car park is often the cheaper option for a longer dinner.

Close by with the dogs

The Corio Bay waterfront is a few minutes' walk for an on-lead stretch along the promenade before or after, and the Barwon River trail is a short drive south for a proper walk earlier in the day. The Baltic and The Edge both keep dog-friendly outdoor options in the same strip of town.

Max: a candlelit door I am not allowed through, but out front under the heaters I got the whole footpath crew saying hello.