Benchwarmer

Benchwarmer is a craft beer hall and bottle shop at 345 Victoria Street in West Melbourne, and it runs a relaxed local crowd rather than a big-city scene. Eighteen rotating taps pour Australian craft beer, backed by shelves of more than 150 cans, plus sake and highballs. The kitchen comes from Udom House, turning out Japanese share plates such as karaage, chicken katsu and yakitori. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor footpath tables, which makes it a genuine beer stop for walkers coming back along Victoria Street.

Dogs at Benchwarmer

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area out front, and staff are used to four legged regulars. There is no indoor access for dogs, so this is a fair weather and good-behaviour kind of stop. Water bowls appear during busy sessions but bringing your own is a safe habit, especially on summer evenings when the footpath tables fill. Weekend evenings are the busiest stretch, so arriving early improves your odds of a table big enough for a dog and a flight of tasters.

Pepsi: eighteen taps on one wall, a bowl of water by my chair, and someone always drops a piece of karaage. West Melbourne does it right.

The vibe

Think neighbourhood beer hall: long tables, a serious can fridge you can buy from to take home, and a tap list that changes often enough that regulars check it before they walk over. The izakaya style food is built for sharing, which suits a table where one hand holds a paddle and the other holds a leash. Hours run from 4pm Wednesday to Friday, from midday on Saturdays and Sundays, with Monday and Tuesday closed.

Getting there and parking

The address is 345 Victoria Street, West Melbourne. Street parking along Victoria Street and the side streets is limited, so read the signage for time restrictions before you settle in. North Melbourne station is within walking distance, which makes an after work visit straightforward if you are coming by train.

Close by with the dogs

Flagstaff Gardens is an easy walk towards the city and works well as a pre or post drink leg stretch. For a proper off lead run, Eades Reserve has a fenced dog park a short drive west, and Clayton Reserve in North Melbourne gives you another off lead option on the way home. See more dog friendly pubs across Victoria or browse what else is on in West Melbourne.

Worth knowing

The outdoor area is footpath seating, so keep your dog tucked in close when trams and delivery vans pass. If you want the full tap and snacks session, go late afternoon midweek when it is quiet; Saturdays are livelier from midday. Confirm the current dog setup with staff on busy nights, as crowd levels can change where tables are placed.