Dog-Friendly Liverpool: Pubs, Cafés, Parks & Beaches

Last checked: November 2026. Dog policies can change with a new manager or season, so if it really matters, ring ahead.

Liverpool is one of the easiest cities in Britain to explore with a dog. You can start the day with a puppuccino on Bold Street, walk the sands among Antony Gormley’s iron men at Crosby, cross the Mersey on a ferry and finish with a pint in a historic pub, all without leaving your dog behind.

We’re the team behind The Developer and The Dane, and we share our lives (and our sofas) with a Great Dane, so we know that “dog-friendly” needs to mean big dogs too. This guide pulls together the best dog-friendly pubs, cafés, restaurants, parks, beaches and days out in and around Liverpool, plus the rules worth knowing before you go.

Quick picks

• Best walk in the city: Sefton Park, followed by a drink on Lark Lane
• Best beach all year: Formby, run by the National Trust
• Most Liverpool morning: Crosby Beach and Another Place
• Best day out: a Mersey Ferries River Explorer cruise
• Best treat for your dog: a puppuccino at Hardware or Bold Street Coffee

Dog-friendly pubs in Liverpool

The Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Hope Street

One of Liverpool’s most beautiful Victorian pubs, famous for its ornate interiors, and named the UK’s top dog-friendly venue in a national ranking by Eat Drink Meet.

The Dog & Collar, Hope Street

A spacious gastropub with an open fire and outdoor seating that lists itself as dog-friendly. Good for a proper meal after a walk round the Georgian Quarter.

The Caledonia, Caledonia Street

A much-loved Georgian Quarter local that has long welcomed dogs and has hosted dog socials, with guided walks through the area’s hidden green spaces.

The Albert, Lark Lane

A Lark Lane favourite with outdoor space where dogs are welcome. Ideal after a loop of Sefton Park, which is just around the corner.

Dovedale Towers, Penny Lane

A big, friendly pub on the edge of Penny Lane, handy if you’re ticking off Beatles sights with your dog.

The Dead Crafty Beer Company and The Ship & Mitre, Dale Street

Two city-centre pubs a few doors apart: craft beer at Dead Crafty, real ale at the Ship & Mitre. Both are popular with dog owners.

Head of Steam, Hanover Street

A relaxed beer bar near Liverpool ONE that’s known for welcoming dogs.

PINS Social Club

Food, drinks, games and a roof garden with city views. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, with water bowls available at the bar.

Dog-friendly cafés and brunch

Hardware Coffee + Kitchen

One of the city’s top brunch spots and one of its most dog-friendly: dogs can have a puppuccino and a gravy bone while you have your full English.

Bold Street Coffee

A Liverpool coffee institution with puppuccinos on the menu.

Café Tabac, Bold Street

Laid-back, homemade food and staff who are usually happy to make a fuss of your dog.

Nova Scotia, Mann Island

Waterfront views, breakfast through to cocktails, and a regular monthly Doggy Brunch where dogs eat free. Check their social media for the next date.

Peaberry Coffee House & Kitchen, Royal Albert Dock

Breakfast, brunch and lunch at the Albert Dock, with dogs welcome as part of the family.

Moose Coffee, Hope Street and Dale Street

North American-style pancakes, waffles and hash. Dogs are welcome in a dog-friendly area, so call ahead to check there’s space.

Lovelocks, Old Haymarket and Formby

A dog-friendly coffee shop in the city centre, with a second café near Formby that’s perfect before or after the beach.

Dog-friendly restaurants

• Mowgli, Water Street and Bold Street: Indian street food, and the founder is clear that the whole family, dogs included, is welcome.
• Madre, Royal Albert Dock: tacos and margaritas in Anchor Courtyard, with dogs welcome inside and out.
• Duke Street Market: six kitchens under one roof; ask the team for dog bowls and treats.
• Brasco Lounge, Mann Island: all-day dining with river views. Dogs on leads, not on laps or furniture.
• Lunya, Hanover Street, and Lunyalita, Royal Albert Dock: Catalan tapas, deli and wine.
• The Botanist, Liverpool ONE and Royal Albert Dock: hanging kebabs, Sunday lunches and botanical cocktails.
• Down the Hatch, Duke Street: award-winning vegan burgers and loaded fries in a relaxed setting.
• Buyers Club, Hardman Yard: lots of outdoor tables, which are the best option with a dog as the kitchen is open.

Dog-friendly parks and walks

Sefton Park

If you only do one dog walk in Liverpool, make it this one: wide lawns, a lake, woodland paths and plenty of other dogs to meet. Pet dogs aren’t allowed inside the Palm House or its fenced area. Afterwards, Lark Lane’s pubs and cafés are on the park’s western edge.

Otterspool Promenade

A long riverside walk beside the Mersey with big skies and views across to the Wirral.

Croxteth Hall and Country Park

Woodland and parkland in the east of the city, and the meeting point for regular community dog walks where you can meet local dog owners.

Calderstones Park

A big, mature park in south Liverpool with gardens, open grass and woodland.

Stanley Park

Lakes, bridges, woodland walks and open fields between Anfield and Goodison, with a café for afterwards.

Newsham Park

A Victorian park with a large lake and open green space in the north-east of the city.

Bowring Park, Court Hey Park and Jubilee Park

A trio of green spaces in Roby and Huyton. Bowring Park has the Coach House café, and Court Hey Park has woodland paths and an ice-cream parlour.

Dog-friendly beaches near Liverpool

The Sefton coast north of the city has miles of sand, and most of it welcomes dogs all year. Two busy stretches have summer dog bans from 1 May to 30 September.

• Crosby Beach: the nearest beach to the city and home to Antony Gormley’s Another Place, 100 iron figures facing out to sea. Blundellsands & Crosby is the closest Merseyrail station. It isn’t a bathing beach, so keep dogs out of the water near the figures and sandbanks.
• Formby: the best dog beach on this coast, with huge sands, high dunes and pinewoods, run by the National Trust. Dogs are welcome all year; keep them on a lead in the red squirrel reserve and anywhere signs mark nesting areas.
• Ainsdale: no dogs within 200 metres either side of the main beach entrance, down to the tide line, from 1 May to 30 September. The rest of the beach is open to dogs.
• Southport: no dogs on the beach from the pier south towards Pleasureland (555 metres), down to the tide line, from 1 May to 30 September.

Across Sefton, one person can walk a maximum of six dogs, dogs must be under control, and you must clean up after them. Fines apply if you don’t.

Dog-friendly days out

Mersey Ferries River Explorer cruise

The classic Liverpool trip, and dogs on a short lead can come too, on the River Explorer cruise and the commuter crossings. Dogs aren’t allowed on the longer cruises, such as the Manchester Ship Canal, Liverpool Bay and evening cruises.

Speke Hall (National Trust)

A Tudor manor house on the banks of the Mersey. Dogs on short leads can explore the open gardens and grounds; there’s a water bowl outside the main restaurant. Dogs can’t go into the house (assistance dogs excepted), the hedge maze, the play areas or the Giant Childe of Hale trail.

The Royal Albert Dock and Mann Island

Liverpool’s waterfront is easy to explore with a dog, and many of the venues around it welcome dogs, including Madre, Peaberry, Lunyalita, The Botanist, Brasco Lounge and Nova Scotia.

Penny Lane and Strawberry Field

Walk Penny Lane with your dog and see the famous red gates at Strawberry Field. Only assistance dogs can go inside Strawberry Field.

Where dogs can’t go

Most of Liverpool’s museums and big indoor attractions, including the Beatles museums, admit assistance dogs only. Plan indoor visits for when someone can stay with your dog, and never leave a dog in a car.

Getting around with a dog

• Merseyrail: dogs travel free, on a lead or in a carrier, with a maximum of two animals per passenger. Travelling with three dogs? You’ll need two adults.
• Mersey Ferries: dogs on a short lead are welcome on the commuter crossings and the River Explorer cruise.

Staying in Liverpool with your dog

Our four dog-friendly houses each sleep up to 15, welcome up to three dogs of any size, and have fully enclosed gardens and stair gates. Each one is close to a good dog walk:

• Park View House: directly opposite Newsham Park
• Loch Lea: about 5 minutes’ walk from Larkhill Gardens
• Anfield Road: a few minutes from Stanley Park
• Lyndhurst: under 10 minutes from Jubilee Park, with a heated pool for the humans

See all our dog-friendly stays in Liverpool

Frequently asked questions

Is Liverpool a dog-friendly city?

Yes. Many pubs, cafés and restaurants welcome dogs, the city has large parks and riverside walks, Merseyrail trains and Mersey Ferries carry dogs, and there are beaches within easy reach. The main exceptions are museums and big indoor attractions, which usually admit assistance dogs only.

Are dogs allowed on Crosby Beach?

Yes. Crosby Beach, home to Another Place, is one of the most popular dog walks near Liverpool. Keep your dog under control, clean up after it, and remember it isn’t a bathing beach.

Which Liverpool beaches have dog bans?

From 1 May to 30 September, dogs are banned from parts of Southport beach (555 metres south of the pier) and Ainsdale beach (200 metres either side of the main entrance). Formby welcomes dogs all year.

Can dogs go on Merseyrail trains?

Yes, free of charge, on a lead or in a carrier, with a maximum of two animals per passenger.

Can I take my dog on the Mersey Ferry?

Yes, on the River Explorer cruise and commuter crossings, as long as your dog is on a short lead. Dogs aren’t allowed on the longer cruises.