Lower Plenty Hotel

Lower Plenty Hotel is a large, family-friendly pub at 4 Main Road in Melbourne's northeast, with a wide, leafy outdoor terrace that welcomes leashed dogs. It is a solid pick for a proper pub meal without leaving the dog behind.

The dog setup

Dogs are permitted on the outdoor terrace and bar terrace areas, on a lead and under control at all times, and the venue's own FAQs welcome dogs so long as they enjoy their puppuccinos. The indoor bistro, lounge and sports bar are dog-free, and dogs should not be a nuisance to other patrons or leave a mess behind. Staff often bring out water bowls, though confirm on the day rather than counting on it.

The vibe

Expect a wide pub menu heavy on schnitzels, a sports bar with the footy on, and an indoor kids' play area that makes weekends genuinely busy. The terrace among the gums is the calm part of the venue, and a weekday lunch or early evening suits a dog that does not love crowds. Doors run long hours, from 10am through to around 4am daily, so an early terrace dinner is easy to lock in.

Getting there and parking

There is ample free on-site parking plus free street parking nearby, so arriving by car with the dog is the easy option.

While you're out there

Cheverton Valley Park Dog Off-Leash Area is the local run before lunch, and the Banyule Flats Reserve Loop at Heidelberg is a bigger river walk a short drive away. For coffee on another day, Manx Cafe at Montmorency is the neighbourhood stop.

More options are on the Victoria dog friendly pubs guide and the Lower Plenty destination page.