Civic Pub made room on the menu for furry visitors. Photo: Supplied.
As a dog owner, I appreciate every dog-friendly venue out there. Businesses that can accommodate pets in their outdoor areas make life happier for those of us who hate leaving our dogs at home. Often, those venues that extend their hospitality to four-legged guests go out of their way to provide water bowls, shady spots and a warm welcome.
But a handful of Canberra venues have taken things a step further, putting together menu items especially for their canine customers.
From pub steaks to dog beer, these are the places making sure your next outing does not end with your pup watching enviously while lunch arrives.
Civic Pub
I have enjoyed watching Civic Pub’s glow-up and transformation over the years. While continuing to serve classic favourites and, of course, keep the drinks flowing, it has also made room for furry visitors on the menu.
The venue’s doggo menu features steak tartare made with 200 grams of raw, cubed steak, as well as a steak-and-veg option with grilled steak pieces served with mixed vegetables. How wholesome and nutritious does that sound?
Meaning, while you’re settling in with a schnitty and a pint on Lonsdale Street, your pup can order from the menu too.
Civic Pub is located at 8 Lonsdale St, Braddon and is open daily from 10:30 am
At the lakeside winery, canine guests have their own menu, The Contentious Pooch. Photo: Supplied.
Contentious Character Urban Winery
Whether you’re there for a wine tasting, a long lunch or an afternoon grazing board by the lake, Contentious Character has made sure dogs are catered for as well.
At the lakeside winery, canine guests have their own menu, The Contentious Pooch, designed for “good dogs with questionable opinions”.
The Paw Some Platter combines slow-cooked beef and chicken with seasonal vegetables and house gravy, while Cheese Bites feature dog-friendly cheese cut into bite-sized pieces. There is also Crunchy Munchies, a mix of seasonal vegetables including carrot, green beans and pumpkin served with house gravy because, as the menu points out, even contentious characters need their greens.
The tongue-in-cheek descriptions are half the fun. “No corkage. No complaints” accompanies the water offering, while pats, praise and plenty of attention are included as part of the good dog tax.
Contentious Character Urban Winery is located at 156/45 Eastlake Parade, Kingston. They are open from 11 am to late Thursday to Sunday.
For dogs, Stella’s By the Lake has an entire barkery menu. Photo: stellasbythelake.cbr.
Stella’s By the Lake
Opened in September 2020, Stella’s by the Lake sits across the road from Lake Ginninderra and has become a favourite pit stop for locals enjoying a walk around the water.
For humans, the menu features breakfast classics, burgers and salads. For dogs, there is an entire barkery menu.
Pups can choose from puppachinos made with whipped coconut milk, frozen peanut butter, and coconut treats shaped like bones and paws, doughnuts, and even dog beer. Bone broth can also be added to selected menu items.
The frozen peanut butter and chicken doughnut topped with yoghurt might be the most delightfully over-the-top item on the list.
Stella’s By the Lake is located at 63/1 Beissel Street, Belconnen, and is open Monday to Friday from 7 am to 2 pm and Weekends from 8 am to 2 pm.
Kingston Hotel
Whether it’s a Sunday session or a weeknight wind down, your pooch can join you in the Kingo’s Garden Bar.
And unlike many dog-friendly pubs, they do not have to rely on their best begging face to score a bite to eat. The “For Your Little Mate” menu offers lightly fried steak or lightly fried steak with vegetables, both priced at $7.50.
The extensive regular menu has all bases covered too, from oysters and mussels to French onion soup and all the classics.
So while you’re settling in for a meal, your best little friend can enjoy a steak of their own. That’s bound to earn a few tail wags.
Kingston Hotel is located at 73 Canberra Ave, Griffith. Open daily from 10 am.
Where’s your favourite pooch-friendly venue? Let us know in the comments!
