Fancy a cheeky pint somewhere in Bristol after exercising your doggy? No problem! The city has plenty of dog-friendly pubs and bars that are happy to welcome you for a pint with your pooch.

Bambalan

Brightly coloured Bambalan's dog-friendly staff are always happy to offer water and food bowls if needed, as well as a lot of fuss from the team! You’ll find a big terrace to perch on – a great spot on a sunny day – while you indulge in a few cocktails and Mediterranean bites. 

Image - Bambalan

The Strawberry Thief

The Strawberry Thief gets its name from a William Morris print, which was once printed across the street and now adorns the walls of this independent beer joint. Behind the bar, there’s an impressively broad collection of revered Belgian and UK craft beers and ciders. The team’s love for beer is matched by a love for pooches, making it a go-to for pups and their owners in the Old City.

Image - The Strawberry Thief

Racks Bar and Kitchen  

A sunny terrace, quality pub grub and special offers keep punters coming back to Racks, a sports bar and restaurant based in former wine cellars in Clifton. As a bonus for dog parents, pooches are welcome to join you. 

Image - Racks Bar and Kitchen, credit Evoke Pictures Lifestyle

King Street Brew House

Pups are free to pop inside with you at this buzzing King Street boozer or perch next to you on one of the outside benches. Sip an al fresco craft beer from their onsite micro-brewery and nibble on a rustic pizza while you're there. 

Image - King Street Brew House

Moor Beer Tap Room

This pub attached to the Moor Beer brewery is open to the public 7 days a week. It has 10 taps selling draught beer, a beer garden for you and your four-legged friends to relax in, plus water bowls and doggy treats. You might even get to meet Moor's most famous staff member, Baz the dog! The brewery hosts events and food pop-ups throughout the year which are also dog friendly.

• Read more: Bristol's Brewery Tap Rooms

Image - Moor Beer

Wiper and True

Another spot for lovers of local beers, Wiper and True's taproom in St Werburgh's welcomes dogs in its outdoor area, with water bowls waiting for thirsty pups and freshly brewed pints for humans. 

Image - Wiper and True

The Gallimaufry

Take your four-legged friend along to Gloucester Road institution The Galli, where you can sit and people watch from the terrace or dig into some delicious food made with local ingredients. Depending on when you visit, you might catch some live music too. 

The Canteen

There's usually a fresh bowl of water waiting for dogs at The Canteen in Stokes Croft. The two of you can quench your thirst beneath Banksy's ‘Mild, Mild West’ and humans can sample the all-veggie, locally sourced menu. There’s bad news for doggy music-lovers though, who aren’t allowed in if there’s live music.

Image - The Canteen

No.1 Harbourside

This waterfront bar and restaurant celebrates all good things about Bristol – the arts, local music, craft breweries, boats, bikes, independent businesses and dog-owning punters. Staff will bring your pup a bowl of water so they don’t get jealous of your beverage. Like their sister establishments, The Canteen and Old Market Assembly, unfortunately your doggy will have to get down to the funky beat somewhere else when there’s live music on.

Image - No.1 Harbourside

The Bank Tavern

Hidden down a side street in Bristol’s medieval Old City, The Bank Tavern is a friendly and cosy traditional pub, with a great selection of cask ales, quality food and award-winning roast dinners. Pub dog Charlie is often around to greet guests while sporting a stylish bow tie or neckerchief, and your own dogs will be made more than welcome in the pub or outside seating area.

The Rummer Hotel

Tucked away alongside St Nicholas Market, this pet-friendly watering hole has its own resident doggies as well as a couple of dog-friendly cats, Granville and Montgomery. The Rummer’s open fireplace is sure to please pooches in cold weather, as are the doggie treats provided. Humans will be equally content with a glass of wine from their wide-ranging list or a cocktail made with a craft spirit. 

Image - @therummer

Grain Barge

Doggos are allowed on the top deck of this converted 1930s barge on a lead, so you can soak up some Harbour views and ogle the impressive Brunel’s SS Great Britain across the water with your hound. Run by Bristol Beer Factory, you’ll also find tasty craft beers, wholesome pies and lagers and ciders from some of the UK’s best independent breweries.

Image - Grain Barge 

The Stable

If you’re into pizza and pie, you can’t go wrong with The Stable, whose pizzas include unusual locally sourced ingredients. Cider aficionados will be in heaven here with a hefty selection of varieties to sample. Hounds are welcome too and needn’t feel too put out about their owners’ tasty feast, as they’ll be given their own doggy treat to complement their bowl of water.

The Lazy Dog

With a name like The Lazy Dog it would be silliness if they didn’t welcome four-legged guests, so of course you can have a hair of the dog here, with your very own hairy dog beside you. Pups get water bowls, doggy treats and are allowed in every part of the pub and big garden area.

Royal Navy Volunteer

Famed for its roasts and huge range of beers from independent UK breweries, The Royal Navy Volunteer (or Vollie as its known to locals), is almost as well-known for its love of dogs. Pop in on a weekday after a good bound around Queen Square to be able to eat in the restaurant area with your pet (note weekends are dog-free).

Image - @tfrnv

The Old Bookshop

A quirky feature at one of Bedminster’s best-loved pubs is the piano, which makes up part of the bar. Go for live music, cosiness and small plates with your pooch in tow.

The Kensington Arms

A fantastic boozer and gastro pub run by restaurateurs Josh and Holly Eggleton, with a menu designed by head chef Oscar Davies. The quality of everything here is top notch without feeling pretentious, with four-legged pals very much welcome. It's a great spot for a summer's drink on one of their outside tables, or a heartier wine-abundant meal with friends. 

Image - @thekensingtonarms

The Malago

If you find yourself a bit peckish from walkies anywhere near Greville Smyth Park – renowned for its beautiful mature trees – family-run independent The Malago will be more than happy to welcome you in for some seasonal British food with a European twist. 

The Kings Arms

At the top of Whiteladies Road, next to dog paradise The Downs, this sprawling candlelit pub specialises in real ales, tapas and dog-friendliness. Water bowls for thirsty pooches are readily available and dotted all over the pub and outside on the terrace and two resident pub dogs, Dolly and Honey, are waiting to welcome furry friends.

Image - Early morning on The Downs, Bristol, credit Ann Brook

Read more...

• Find somewhere to stay with your pup using our guide to Bristol's dog-friendly hotels. 
• Check out our top 10 dog walks in Bristol and make sure your doggie gets a good run around before you stop for a pint with your pooch.