Liverpudlians know it’s not a true family outing unless the entire crew can come along and that means finding a dog-friendly spot to dine in. We’ve searched the Liverpool seaside, from Merseyside to the famous Penny Mead Lane, to find Liverpool’s top dog-friendly pubs.
1. The Caledonia
Address: 22 Caledonia St, L7 7DX
Telephone: 0151 306 2496
Reservations: Optional
Price range: £
Recommended dish: Vegan burgers and loaded fries
The Caledonia in the centre of Liverpool loves its local canine-loving community and their dogs. Dogs are always welcome to drink and dine with their owners here, and are greeted upon arrival with one of their legendary stripy bags of delicious veggie treats. The dog-doting team will happily declare your dog the best in the world (just don’t tell the next one!) and will always remember their name. The team firmly believe that dogs help visiting drinkers make friends. There are even two resident Dachshunds who are always on hand to give a high-paw to any dog-friendly visitors. They also host a monthly Caledonia Dog Social that takes pooches on guided walks to Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter’s hidden green spaces, as well as the odd dog-friendly pub crawl!
2. The Dead Crafty Beer Company
Address: 92 Dale Street, L2 5TF
Telephone: 0797 722 8918
Reservations: Optional
Price range: £
Recommended dish: No food served here!
The Dead Crafty Beer Company not only has a dog-friendly badge of honour but every pup who visits gets their photo taken for their Instagram page. Dogs are allowed in the bar and will likely be offered water and a doggy biscuit before you’ve even got a drink. They even stock poo bags, just in case. The Dead Crafty Beer Company is a family run bar, specialising in craft beers from around the world – they’re also winners of the 2021 SIBA award for the UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar! Their motto is to find a beer to suit everyone’s taste, so you’re bound to find a tipple you’ll want to try again. As a bonus, resident Tibetan terrier, Dolly, is an excellent driver of traffic to this dog-friendly establishment.
3. The Storrsdale
Source: The Storrsdale Facebook
Address: 43-47 Storrsdale Rd, L18 7JY
Telephone: 0151 724 3464
Reservations: Not necessary
Price range: £
Recommended dish: Only snacks served here!
The Storrsdale is a traditional Liverpool local that spoils dogs and sometimes their humans too. Regular customers here create a great sense of community and everyone is welcome, including dogs of all shapes and sizes. Dog-friendly spoils include a bowl of water, doggy treats, and most importantly, a ton of cuddles. Regular charity events, sports screenings, and a darts night make for great day out for you and your furry little friend. It is worth noting that the music does get a bit loud on Saturday nights so it’s best to visit at another time if they’re sensitive to noise.
4. Beer EnGin Micropub
Address: 9 Greenes Road, Prescot, L35 3RE
Telephone: 0749 661 6132
Reservations: Not necessary
Price range: £
Recommended dish: Only snacks served here!
The Beer EnGin Micropub is a truly welcoming free house for human and canine customers—its many visiting hounds contributing to the lively atmosphere. Based in Whiston Village, it’s the perfect post-walk stop off for real ale, cider, and craft beers, plus a water bowl for your dog, of course. It’s open plan so there aren’t any separate dog-free areas, but you’ll find just the humans on the furniture—dogs are kindly asked to stay on the floor.
There’s an array of pub crisps and nuts for owners, as well as doggy treats to keep everyone content. The family-run pub is well within sniffing distance of Stadt Moers Park so you can finish your visit with a stroll.
5. The Dovedale Towers
Address: 60 Penny Ln, L18 1DG
Telephone: 0151 733 2611
Reservations: Optional
Price range: £
Recommended dish: House ribs
The Dovedale Towers is on the edge of the dog-friendly and world famous Penny Lane spot (immortalised by local band you might’ve heard of, The Beatles). Known affectionately by locals as “The Dovey”, this gastropub allows pets and their owners in the main bar, as well as outside in the lovley beer garden. There’s a large car park for day trip visitors and not only are the dogs welcome here, but they’re positively embraced.
Tuck into a delicious homemade pie or deli sandwich. You can eat in peace while your dog is kept occupied by the staff who insist on regular cuddles.Upstairs you’ll even find the spot where Freddie Mercury once stayed during Queen’s climb to fame. When you’re done, pop over to the green opposite for a pre-bedtime stroll.
6. The Freshfield
Address: 1 Massam’s Ln, Formby, L37 7BD
Telephone: 0170 487 4871
Reservations: Optional
Price range: £
Recommended dish:
At The Freshfield there’s plenty of space in their dog-friendly wing and on a sunny day, sit outside with your furry little buddy. Make sure you read all of the signs here, as well-behaved dogs are welcome only in certain areas. For humans, a menu of traditional pub classics, plant-powered bowls and international starters are truly are to drool for. Due to its prime location near both Formby Pinewoods and Formby Beach the car park does get busy in peak periods, so walk over if you can. Bowls of water for the dogs are offered freely and the doggy area has been furnished with dog people in mind. For those wishing to dine dog-free, head into the main restaurant.
7. Heatons Bridge Inn
Address: 2 Heatons Bridge Road, Ormskirk, L40 8JG
Telephone: 0170 484 0549
Reservations: Optional
Price range: £
Recommended dish: Only snacks served here!
Heatons Bridge is a great canal-side pub that serves all Liverpool locals and their dogs too, of course. You’ll still be spoiled for choice as the pub has four gardens including a large field where you can find loads of dogs enjoying some off-lead time. There are plenty of water bowls, treats, and a doggy water barrel outside where owners can help themselves.
On hot days, you’ll find plenty of dogs under the parasols or even cooling down in the canal. Quench your thirst with a real ale or during their Military Weekends, a pull box beer—in honour of WWII where the pub served as a lookout post. If there are two phrases that are constantly on the lips of locals to describe Heatons Bridge, they’re “fresh food” and “friendly staff” (dog-friendly, that is).
8. The Ship & Mitre
Address: 133 Dale St, L2 2JH
Telephone: 0151 236 0859
Reservations: Walk-ins only
Price range: £
Recommended dish: Scouse
The Ship & Mitre is a CAMRA Pub of Excellence which prides itself on serving up quality cask ales, continental beers, and craft beers from the local area and all over the world. The small batch brewery hosts weekly pub quizzes and even its own beer festivals! Though their selection of classic pub grub is ever-changing, you can rest assured that bowls of hearty Scouse will always be a staple on their menu.
While the downstairs bar was designed to feel like the inside of a ship, there’s also an upstairs function room with lovely Art Deco features, and a sunny terrace. Four-legged friends are welcomed with open arms and a bowl of water – you can also get a few treats if you ask!
Tip: Quiz nights are on Thursdays and hosted by Joe (the pub’s manager) who awards extra points if any dogs are part of the team!
It’s great if your dog enjoys accompanying you to the pub but if they don’t, that’s fine—you can find lots of local sitters who provide dog boarding in Liverpool and who’d be delighted to take care of your furry little darling while you head out. Search through the great list of dog lovers in your area on Rover.com to find your dog’s perfect match.
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Featured image: Ship and Mitre
