We’ve all been there. You’ve had a nice wander with the dogs but instead of heading back home, a nice cold pint sounds much more appealing. It can be hard to determine whether you’ll be met with a scowl or given a warm welcome when little Bruce and Pickles pop their furry heads round the door of the pub, and there’s nothing worse than settling yourself down only to be asked to leave. Oh, it’s awkward. So instead of risking an unpleasant encounter in your search for a dog-friendly pub in London, we’ve made a list of the ones to make a beeline for.

East London

1. The Prince Arthur

Address: 95 Forest Road, E8 3BH
Telephone: 0207 249 1119
Reservations: Optional
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Lamb Neck with Charred Onion and Herb Salad

After chasing a ball around London Fields, it certainly isn’t just little Bruce who’s tuckered out. Fortunately for both of you, The Prince Arthur awaits just a stone’s throw from the park. If you or Bruce are into polished wood, real ales, taxidermy heads and hot hipsters with Frenchies, this is the place for you. They’ll always have a fresh bowl of water at the ready, and if you fancy grabbing a bite while you’re there, the kitchen’s open every day except Monday (plus they do an epic Sunday Roast).

2. The People’s Park Tavern

Address: 360 Victoria Park Rd, E9 7BT
Telephone: 0208 533 0040
Reservations: Optional
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Flamed Jerk Chicken

Tavern of the people and their dogs, The People’s Park Tavern located next to Victoria Park in East London welcomes all furry friends. Good boys and girls can enjoy sitting nicely, and politely mingling with other four-legged patrons both inside the bar and outside in the large hacienda garden. Friendly bar staff will bring them water bowls and maybe even give them cuddles. Their onsite brewery, the “Brew Lab”, churns out some cracking brews from tropical sours to double IPAs.

Tunes get a bit loud on Friday and Saturday nights so you might want to avoid taking the doggo with you then.

South London

3. Brewdog Clapham Junction

Address: 11-13, Battersea Rise, SW11 1HG
Telephone: 0207 223 6346
Reservations: Optional
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Grazing Goat Pizza

If you love dogs, and you love beer, and you decide to build a craft beer empire, what do you get? Brewdog! Dogs are always welcome at Brewdog bars and nowadays they can even celebrate their birthdays there. For £5 per hound, your dog and her friends will be treated to dog-safe cakes, a specially made doggy beer, and party hats. Humans can also get in on the hat action and enjoy one of the pub’s many super-fresh craft beers while the dogs get their party on. Brewdog also actively support Guide Dogs Scotland so you can’t help but love them.

4. The Woolpack

Address: 98 Bermondsey St, SE1 3UB
Telephone: 0203 437 0139
Reservations: Optional
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Woolpack Cheeseburger

When you and your furry friend need refuelling, pay a visit to The Woolpack. The pub serves a nice range of craft beers and great food. Little Bruce will love the large beer garden, bowls of fresh water, treat dispensers, and making friends with the pub’s resident beagle! It has a bit of a party vibe going in the evening though, so the wee fella will probably prefer to head home before it gets louder than his fluffy little ears can handle.

North London

5. Red Lion and Sun

Address: 25 North Road, N6 4BE
Telephone: 0208 340 1780
Reservations: Optional – let them know if you’re bringing the pooch!
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Fish & Chips

Hampstead Heath is dog heaven. Once you’ve exhausted yourselves exploring the sprawling park, head in the direction of Highgate Village and reward yourself with a post-walk pint in Edwardian gastropub, Red Lion and Sun. Your furry companion will be given fresh water and pigs’ ears as well as loads of attention. The owners adore dogs and commemorate their visits by taking photos of them—Kate Moss’s dog Archie is among them.

The watering hole boasts an impressive wine list and its food is carefully sourced from local producers whenever possible. In the summer, they spit roast whole hogs and lambs in their back garden and come winter you and the doggy can look forward to sitting in front of a roaring fire.

6.The Jolly Butchers

Address: 204 Stoke Newington High St, N16 7HU
Telephone: 0207 249 9471
Reservations: Optional—let them know if you’re bringing the pooch!
Price range: £
Recommended dish: Dal Makhani

This airy, traditional pub is just a short walk from Abney park and Stoke Newington Common, making it the perfect pit stop after a grueling game of fetch. Dogs will be given fresh water and cuddles while owners will have to make do with one of the watering hole’s real ales or ciders from some of Britain’s best breweries. The food here is mainly delicious Indian grub – but on a Sunday you can get a slap-up roast dinner. It’s the best of both worlds.

West London

7. The Brown Dog

Address: 28 Cross Street, SW13 0AP
Telephone: 0208 392 2200
Reservations: Recommended
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Angus Bavette Steak

As the name suggests, The Brown Dog is a super dog-friendly pub located down a quiet, leafy street in Barnes. The independently-owned Victorian boozer serves cask ales from local brewers, a nice choice of wines, and seasonal, contemporary British cuisine. Canines can enjoy a bowl of water and pigs’ ears!

8. The Hampshire

Address: 227 King St, W6 9JT
Telephone: 0208 748 3391
Reservations: Optional
Price range: £
Recommended dish: Malai Kofta

Good boys and girls are always most welcome at The Hampshire Hog. Little Bruce will be served with a fresh bowl of water on arrival and he can mingle with other nicely-behaved dogs to his adorable little heart’s content. Meanwhile, owners can treat themselves to delicious cocktails, wines, beers, brunches, and dinners whilst admiring the stylish surroundings. You can even enjoy a bit of shisha in the garden, if that’s your jam.

Featured image: Brewdog Instagram