15 Noteworthy dog friendly pubs in Nottingham

Dog friendly pubs
Written by Pure Pet FoodPure Pet Food are the experts in healthy dog food and healthy dogs featured in media outlets such as BBC, Good Housekeeping and The Telegraph. Working with high profile veterinary professionals and nutritionists, Pure Pet Food are changing dog food for the better. - Our editorial process

Nottingham is a lot more than castles and men in tights. Did you know it is home to England’s oldest pub, and the birthplace of the French Bulldog?

Whether you’re here to explore the city itself or make base while you enjoy walkies in the famous Sherwood Forest, you’ll still want to “pup” into the city for a drink at some point.

We’ve nosed around and found 15 of our favourite dog-friendly pubs in Nottingham where you and Fido can both enjoy some refreshments.

Discover delicious food your dog deserves

Learn more

The Crafty Crow

The Crafty Crow is a taphouse for Magpie Brewery and a hotspot for real ale and craft beer, being a champion for independent microbreweries and local brewers.

As well as being a firm favourite for humans, this is also one of the most dog-friendly pubs in Nottingham as all canines customers are offered refreshments and cuddles.

This barking mad lot also host doggy paw-ties to raise money for the Blue Cross, so keep an eye out for their next one.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

No trip to Nottingham would be complete without a trip to Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, the oldest pub in England. (A title contested with Ye Olde Salutation, also in Nottingham.)

The Trip has a wealth of history and underground caves, now used as their cellar. Dogs are more than welcome in the downstairs area and are promptly served their own drinks while their humans settle down.

Four Bells

The staff at the Four Bells are very dog-friendly, and all pooches are given treats, water, and lots of pets. This is a very dog-friendly pub in Nottingham out towards Woodborough, where all the family is welcome.

Since it’s further out from the city centre you can expect a pretty, village pub with a strong community vibe, as well as scrumptious homemade grub and lots of tasty tipples.

The Vat & Fiddle

The Vat & Fiddle has a superb choice of real ales here, many from local Castle Rock brewery, who run the pub.

This is a “proper” pub, and that reflects in the menu which is all hearty, well-portioned fare that’s sure to line your stomach and wash down well with an ale.

Pooches are welcome but might prefer quieter daytime hours as some evenings can get busy if there’s a match on or live band playing.

The Old Volunteer

The Old Volunteer is a cosy and inviting community pub, with friendly staff and a chilled-out atmosphere that makes you want to while away hours here.

They’re the taphouse for Flipside, a local craft brewery, but serve plenty of other pints from other small and local breweries like Magpie, plus some Scottish whiskies.

They are also a very dog-friendly pub, so your pooch will be just as content as you are to kick back and relax, especially if they sniff out some of the free treats.

The Organ Grinder

One of four pubs run by The Blue Monkey brewery, The Organ Grinder Nottingham hosts plenty of the Monkey’s ales and keg beer on rotation, as well as the occasional guest beer and several scrumpy ciders.

The beers are top-notch, but the service and atmosphere are exceptional. If you want a super friendly pub, head here. You and the dog will be very well looked after!

The Robin Hood & Little John

The Robin Hood & Little John is a firm favourite for Arnold residents, and possibly every dog’s favourite watering hole because it is potentially the most dog-friendly pub in Nottingham.

There are treats from Mrs Bishop’s Doggy Deli on sale and two flavours of dog beer on offer, so your pooch is going to be positively spoiled!

Humans meanwhile will be impressed by the range of drinks, including the variety of real ciders on offer.

The Malt Cross

The Malt Cross is one of the most dog-friendly pubs in Nottingham’s city centre.

The pub is housed inside one of very few remaining Victorian music halls, and they have kept much of the original features which make the interior completely unique and pretty unforgettable. (Not least because of the ceiling!)

It is a Christian cafe/bar with lots of charitable ventures, as well as live music events that keep the building’s tradition alive.

The food here is incredible, satisfying almost all your senses, so watch out your dog doesn’t give you an “armpit surprise” trying to snuffle something off your plate.

The Frame Breakers

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, the Frame Breakers was recently on the shortlist for the dog-friendly pub awards, so you can rest assured your pooch will enjoy a trip to this pub as much as you will.

They actually welcome cats too. There are treats on offer, and while they are free, they hope owners leave a donation to The Dog’s Trust if they take some.

This is a great spot to relax in at any time of day, whether you’re enjoying a coffee and cake at midday, or dinner and a pint later in the evening.

  • Address: High Street, NG11 6DT

  • Opening Times: Mon-Thu: 12:00-22:00 / Fri-Sat: 12:00-23:00 / Sun: 12:00-21:00

The Bread & Bitter

Another corker of a pub, The Bread and Bitter is a popular paradise for those who enjoy local ales and homemade food.

Although the beer stands out, wine and spirit lovers aren’t forgotten and there’s a tempting range of bevs to wet your whistle with whatever your tastes. You can admire the brewer’s graveyard or old bakery ovens if you fancy a historical fix on your visit.

As for the pooch, there are free treats and bowls of water aplenty at this family and dog-friendly Nottingham pub.

Poppy & Pint

Like all but one of the Castle Rock Brewery pubs, the Poppy & Pint is dog-friendly and offers up lots of fuss and refreshments for any canine customers.

Like its sister pubs, P&P has fetched a formidable reputation for great food and fantastic service, and it’s a really friendly and luxuriously spacious local for anyone in the Lady Bay area.

It was even the Nottingham branch of CAMRA’s pub of the year not too long ago, so it’s not to be sniffed at, even if you’ve swung by the other Castle Rock spots.

The Doctor’s Orders

Another offering from Magpie Brewery, the Doctor’s Orders was Nottingham’s first micropub and it seems as popular with hounds as it is with humans.

In fact, you frequently find so many dogs in here you’re almost tripping on them. The small size doesn’t limit the variety of drinks on offer, and you’ll have a tough choice amongst the ales, craft beers, and real ciders.

This snug pub definitely boasts more options than you think they could fit, and they even have some bar snacks for any peckish people stopping by.

The Boat Inn

Dogs are welcome both in the bar and the garden room at The Boat Inn but aren’t allowed in the rooms in-between.

You won’t be missing out though, as you can still enjoy all their food and drinks and there’s even a fire to snuggle up beside with your pooch.

It’s a good old-fashioned backstreet boozer, with an interesting (if chequered) history.

The Lincolnshire Poacher

If you like things a little rustic or retro, you’ll enjoy the surroundings at The Lincolnshire Poacher.

There’s lots of exposed brick, wood panelling, and vintage decorative touches. It’s not as historic as some of the city’s other pubs, but it repeatedly gets recommended as the place for real ale.

The menu is packed with pub grub at reasonable prices (and portions,) so you might even have a scrap left for the pooch.

The White Lion

Nestled in Bramcote, The White Lion is another dog-friendly pub in Nottingham that is far enough from the city centre to offer a village pub feel, helped by being a family-run venue.

There are treats and water on hand, and staff go “mutts” over any furry visitors. Humans are well looked after too, albeit with fewer head scratches from the staff.

More pubs: Harrogate, Liverpool, Norfolk