There’s nothing better than a stellar meal and delicious drinks with your four-legged friend in tow. Here, photographer and foodie Dan Castano and her golden retriever Bert share their Melbourne finds.
Very few things are as quintessentially Melbourne as enjoying a great drink – be it a pot of crafty pale ale, a natural wine or a boozy cocktail – with your faithful pet lazing happily at your feet. They’re a mainstay in beer gardens, footpath serving areas and, in some cases, pub interiors across the city. Dan Castano knows this better than anyone, having toured, sampled and (thanks to her work as a photographer) shot hundreds of incredible spots around Australia’s food and drink capital, often with her pooch Bert alongside.
“We probably love our pets as much as we love our food and drink here in Melbourne, so the two come together seamlessly,” Dan tells us. “In fact, I can’t actually think of a time when I’ve arrived at a venue and been turned away because Bert was with me.” At a former favourite local, the now-closed Ascot Food & Wine, the chef Dave Stewart was known to bring out a water bowl for Bert, complete with a side of diced eye-fillet. “And that’s just one example of the amazing hospitality we get at just about every bar or restaurant we go to with our dog.”
Melbourne’s propensity towards warm, relaxed hospitality is what makes the city shine as a place to bring along your pooch for a bevvy or two. “For a venue to be pet friendly, it starts with the people,” Dan says. “They have to be inclusive and welcoming, and I think that really sums up the nature of most Melburnians in the pub and bar scene.”
For Dan, Melbourne’s trendiest suburbs, with their bohemian influence and all-inclusive cultures, also tend to be a hotbed of pet-friendly venues. “If I had to pinpoint one area that offers variety for someone with a pet, I'd have to say the outer north area of the CBD: Carlton, Fitzroy and Collingwood. Within this area you’ve got so many major strips for drinking and dining – Smith Street, Brunswick Street, Lygon Street and Gertrude Street – and you can really take your pick.”
Naturally, then, we had to dig a little deeper into Dan’s mental treasure trove of pet-friendly food and drink spots that stand paws and shoulder above the rest.
First up on her pooch-friendly tour is wine and sake spot Gracie, plonked in the heart of the CBD on Hardware Lane for all the people-watching pleasure you and your pup could ever hope for. “When I feel like sitting somewhere for a wine and watching the world go by, Gracie is where you’ll find Bert and I. It’s a cute and very aesthetic sake and wine bar that offers a great selection of local and imported wine, beer, spirits and, of course, sake. While the sake-tasting flight is one of their best drawcards, I’ll usually order their Yuzu Spritz and a side of panko prawns – they’re so good.”
Of course, the centre of the city is just where the fun begins. Venture a little further north-east towards Melbourne’s thriving inner-city suburbs, and just about every pub, club and bar will welcome pets with open arms. Carlton Wine Room, as the name suggests, is a wine bar that does away with the pretence and welcomes all into its dog-friendly outdoors area. “I often book lunch or dinner with a group there, as they have ample seating on the street out the front, so I know I can always take Bert if I’ve booked an outdoor table,” Dan says. “The anchovy on fried bread starter is a no-brainer, and I’d suggest asking the staff for their drink picks based on what you’re eating – they’re incredibly knowledgeable and always have great pairing recommendations.”
Sliding over to Brunswick east, Dan can’t help but hit up fan favourite Bar Romantica. “With that vintage chill vibe so typical of Brunswick East, Bar Romantica on Lygon Street is one of my favourite places to sit with Bert and watch the world go by,” Dan says. “They’re known for their woodfired pizzas and make probably the best mushroom pizza I’ve ever tried, but, in saying that, their seasonal pastas are so good too.” Her hot tip is the casarecce with lamb ragu and cavolo nero – but expect longing, puppy-dog eyes from your furry companion. “They have an extended area for outdoor dining thanks to a parklet, so there's plenty of space among the tables for your dog to chill while you’re wining and dining,” she says.
As all dog owners know, dogs are better than people. So, leash up your pooch, grab the poo bags, and take yourselves out for a night at one of Melbourne’s best pet-friendly bars and restaurants.
