10 Dog-Friendly Pubs in Norwich (Plus Trainer Tips for a Calm Visit)
Updated: 6 days ago
Norwich is famous for its pubs, and plenty of them welcome dogs. Riverside pints, sunny beer gardens and proper city locals are all covered below.
A pub is also one of the hardest places for a dog to relax. It's noisy and crowded, there's food on the floor, and there are often other dogs. So along with our ten favourites, here's how to make the visit calm for everyone.
1. The Fat Cat, West End Street
The Fat Cat is a Norwich institution and a multiple winner of The Good Pub Guide's Beer Pub of the Year. Dogs are welcome. It's traditional and full of character, so expect it to be busy at weekends.
2. The Garnet, Market Place
The Garnet is right in the heart of the city, next to Norwich Market. Well behaved dogs even get a treat from the jar behind the bar.
3. The Murderers, Timber Hill
It has one of the most intriguing names in the city, and one of the best-known pubs to match. It's a busy sports pub. If your dog is sensitive to sudden noise, avoid big match days.
4. The Woolpack, Golden Ball Street
This is a comfortable city centre pub where dogs are welcome in the bar areas and garden. There's a dog bed, a treat station and fresh water bowls.
House rules: dogs stay on a lead and off the furniture. That's good practice anywhere.
5. The Coach & Horses, Bethel Street
Tucked behind The Forum, this classic pub serves changing local ales and tapas plates. The partly covered patio works in most weathers.
Make sure you head to the Bethel Street pub. There's another Coach and Horses on Thorpe Road.
6. The Plough, St Benedicts Street
The Plough is run by Norfolk's Grain Brewery. It has a large, sunny courtyard garden, perfect for a summer afternoon with your dog. St Benedicts Street has several dog-friendly spots, so it's a good area to explore together.
7. The Garden House, Pembroke Road
This is a real community pub with a big beer garden. Dogs are made very welcome, with treats and snacks on offer.
It shows live sport most days. For a sound-sensitive dog, pick a quiet afternoon or sit outside.
8. Last Pub Standing, King Street
British weather can't be trusted, which is why this one earns its place. The beer garden is fully covered, so you can sit outside whatever the weather.
Dogs are welcome before 6pm, so make it an afternoon visit.
9. The Red Lion, Bishopgate
It sits right beside the River Wensum, with a riverside terrace and a garden. Dogs are welcome everywhere except the conservatory. It pairs perfectly with a walk along the Riverside Walk.
10. Redwell Brewing, near Whitlingham
Redwell's taproom and garden welcome well-behaved dogs on leads everywhere, about 1.5 miles from the city centre. A loop of Whitlingham followed by a drink here makes a great afternoon.
Taking your dog to the pub: a trainer's guide
Pick a quiet time. A weekday afternoon is far easier than a Friday night. Build up to busier times once your dog copes.
Practise "leave it" before you go. Pub floors are a buffet of crisps and chips. A solid "leave it" keeps your dog safe, because some human foods, such as onions, grapes and raisins, are toxic to dogs.
Teach a solid "place" command. Teaching a solid place command where your dog has a specific spot to settle and relax is a great way to help them get a head start on pub and cafe visits. You can slowly build up their duration with each visit
Sit outside first. Beer gardens give your dog more space and fewer people squeezing past. They're a good stepping stone to indoor visits.
Keep your dog tucked in. Settle your dog under the table or against the wall, away from walkways. It protects paws and tails, and the bar staff will thank you.
Watch for stress signals. Yawning, lip-licking, restlessness, whining or hiding under your chair all mean your dog is overwhelmed. Finish your drink another day.
Bring water. Most dog-friendly pubs have bowls. Carrying your own means your dog never goes without on a busy day.
Frequently asked questions
Are dogs allowed in pubs in the UK?
It's up to the pub. There's no law against dogs in bar areas, but many pubs keep dogs out of dining rooms or have time limits. Some Norwich pubs only allow dogs in certain areas or before a certain time, so check first.
Can puppies go to the pub?
Short, calm visits can help a puppy's socialisation once they're fully vaccinated. Keep visits brief and positive. Let your puppy watch the world rather than be handled by everyone.
My dog barks at other dogs in the pub. What can I do?
Sit outside, with space around you.
Go at quieter times.
Choose a seat where your dog can't see the door.
If the barking keeps happening, that's reactivity and it's exactly what we specialise in.
Want your dog to be the calm one at the pub? We're reactivity specialists, and we build plans owners can actually follow.
Before you go to the pub
Venues can change their dog policies, opening hours or rules at any time. We checked everything when we wrote this, but please call ahead or check the venue's website before making a special trip.
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