If Greyfriars Bobby was alive today we think we know exactly where he’d be hanging out. The pub. Or more accurately, at one of these impressive dog-friendly pubs in and around Edinburgh. The Scottish capital is certainly repaying the loyalty of its most famous canine citizen with an array of dog-friendly places. From Stockbridge, right up the Water of Leith and back again, we take you to 11 of the best dog-friendly pubs in Edinburgh.
1. The Wally Dug
Address: 32 Northumberland St, Edinburgh EH3 6LS
Telephone: 0131 557 3133
Reservations: Not needed
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: No food served (crisps and nuts only)
A traditional local boozer in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town, the Wally Dug is a fun and iconic place to grab a pint or two with your dog. Canine patrons are welcomed with open arms and lavished with treats and water (with their owner’s permission, of course). With an extensive range of beer and spirits on offer for humans, it’s the perfect pit-stop for a wee dram or two with your four-legged pal.
2. The Earl of Marchmont
Address: 22 Marchmont Cres, Edinburgh, EH9 1HG
Telephone: 0131 667 0206
Reservations: Not needed
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: No food served
If you find yourself pulled into The Earl of Marchmont by your dog as you pass by, don’t be surprised. It’s rumoured that canines love this pub even more than their owners. Perhaps that’s down to the warm welcome from the team who lavish dogs with attention, titbits and water. It’s a great place to wind down after pounding the nearby walking trails in The Meadows.
3. The Scran and Scallie
Address: Comely Bank Road, Edinburgh, EH4 1DS
Telephone: 0131 332 6281
Reservations: Recommended
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Highland wagyu beef burger
The Scran and Scallie is a dog-friendly pub with no areas off-limits to canine customers. Work up an appetite with your best pal with a stroll around local scenery like Inverleith Park and then settle down for a post-walk pint. Tuck into classics such as traditional fish and chips, or throw the boat out with a whole Newhaven lobster. There are draught beers alongside a great wine list, plus the finest cold, fresh water served for your dog. There isn’t a garden but with so many great parks nearby, they don’t need one.
4. Hamilton’s
Address: 18 Hamilton Pl, Edinburgh, EH3 5AU
Telephone: 0131 226 4199
Reservations: Optional
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Ox cheek
Looking for an Edinburgh watering hole that will keep you and your dog happy? In the heart of Stockbridge, you’ll find Hamilton’s. If the huge dog-friendly accolade on the door isn’t enough of a welcome, their staff are always ready to give a water bowl and high-five to any canine customers. Dog lovers can enjoy dishes made from organic produce in the bar area with their pet at their side, while live music plays. The comfy sofas mean you might find yourself sinking in, so stretch your legs with a 15-minute walk to Inverleith Park. That’s if your dog doesn’t find himself lured into the Water of Leith on the way.
5. The Auld Hoose
Address: St. Leonard’s St, Edinburgh, EH8 9QN
Telephone: 0131 6682934
Reservations: Walk-ins only
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: The Hoose gigantic nachos
You could easily while away a Sunday at The Auld Hoose, one of Edinburgh’s favourite dog-friendly pubs. It claims to have the largest—and finest plate—of nachos you’ll find in Edinburgh and the staff are as passionate about beer as they are about dogs, so expect an eclectic selection, from BrewDog to Tiny Rebel. They’re known for their music mix on the jukebox, but it shouldn’t be too loud for Fido. A dog-friendly sign on the door ensures that there’s almost always a pet propping up the bar. Stop in after a long walk in nearby Holyrood Park—you won’t be disappointed.
6. Stockbridge Tap
Address: 24/6 Raeburn Pl, Edinburgh, EH4 1HN
Telephone: 0131 343 3000
Reservations: Walk-ins only
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: No food served
Another dog-friendly Edinburgh haunt is the Stockbridge Tap. The friendly humans who work here will make a big fuss of your dog, while you ponder its great ale selection. Canines are catered to very nicely here with fresh, cold bowls of water and complimentary doggy treats. If you’re lucky you can wangle a seat by the window, where your dog will love looking out over Stockbridge.
7. Holyrood 9a
Address: 9a Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8AE
Telephone: 0131 556 5044
Reservations: Optional
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: The haggis burger
This gem of a dog-friendly pub in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town can’t get enough of canine customers, and if your good boy or girl poses nicely, they’ll likely make it onto the pub’s Instagram page, which is filled with four-legged patrons lapping up the attention and snoozing on the sumptuous sofas. The bar staff are quick to welcome pets with a high five and a treat, as well as water to quench their thirst after a busy day exploring everything else dog-friendly that Edinburgh has to offer. Meanwhile, their owners can look forward to a menu brimming with burger options, for both meat-lovers and vegetarians, as well as a drinks offering including plenty of house taps and cocktails.
8. The Dog House
Address: 18-24 Clerk St, Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9HX
Telephone: 0131 629 0275
Reservations: Optional
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Nachos
There’s no way you’ll be in the dog house with your pooch if you treat them to a trip to this popular pub, where the team love nothing more than a furry face and a wagging tail. Describing itself as a ‘sanctuary for the weird and wonderful’, your dog has license to let their personality shine through while you enjoy a tipple from the extensive drinks menu or a bite to eat.
9. The Fountain Bar
Address: 131 Dundee St, Edinburgh EH11 1AX
Telephone: 0131 229 1899
Reservations: Recommended
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Ruby Murray pie
You’ll be making the team’s day if you pop into this dog-friendly pub with your four-legged friend in tow, but they do ask that you ring ahead to make sure they have enough space to seat you and your pet. Beer, wine, classic cockails and signature tipples await thirsty owners, while bar snacks and a varied main menu will line the tummies at this speakeasy-style boozer.
10. The Red Squirrel
Address: 21 Lothian Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2DJ
Telephone: 0131 229 9933
Reservations: Optional
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Fish tacos
Craft beers, cocktails and lip-smacking bites await humans at the Red Squirrel, while dogs lap up treats, water and plenty of attention. There for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, this canine-friendly haunt welcomes you and your pet round-the-clock. Looking for somewhere to watch the big match alongside your dog? Then this place ticks that box, too, as it shows all the major sporting events.
11. BrewDog Edinburgh Cowgate
Address: 143 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JS
Telephone: 0131 220 6517
Reservations: Optional
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Grazing goat pizza
The clue’s in the name here…head down to BrewDog Edinburgh Cowgate, and any one of the brewery’s other pubs for that matter, and you’ll find an extensive choice of beers and an overwhelmingly dog-friendly vibe. Canine guests can even celebrate their birthdays with party hats and doggy ice cream sundaes for £6 a tail, while their human friends have a choice of no less than 28 taps of craft beer and a pizza and sharing board menu. Tails are guaranteed to wag at this watering hole, the first of BrewDog’s Edinburgh outposts.
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You may also want to check out our round-ups of the best dog-friendly restaurants or canine-welcoming cafes in Edinburgh. As the wide choice of venues shows, the Scottish capital is a very dog-friendly city—but if you fancy going for a drink and your pet would prefer to stay at home, don’t worry! On Rover.com you’ll find plenty of local sitters who provide dog sitting services in Edinburgh. They’ll be happy to spend some quality time with your little buddy while you enjoy a well-deserved night out.