THE INNER WEST – A PARADISE FOR DOGS

With acres of parkland, bayside walking tracks and hidden pockets of bushland, the Inner West is one of the best places in Sydney for dog lovers. Dog-friendly pubs and cafés, pet boutiques and puppy parlours make life with your four-legged friend a dream. Whether it’s exercising with your hound, socialising with like-minded folk or enjoying a beer with your four-legged friend by your side, the Inner West is totally pawsome. There are so many great places to visit that we’ve compiled a snapshot of our favourite pet-friendly haunts.

 

 

Places to play

 

Jubilee Park in Annandale (near The Crescent) is great for off-leash and on-leash exercising with lots of swimming spots and an ice cream truck on weekends. It’s right by the mega PetO store so you can duck in for any supplies you need on the way home.

Hawthorne Canal Reserve in Leichhardt is one of the best-known parks for dog lovers with loads of space to run and play. It’s also home to the ever-popular Café Bones, home to the famous ‘Pupaccino’. Well, the Inner West is famous for its café lifestyle so why should our furry friends miss out?

War Memorial Park in Leichhardt (corner of Moore and Catherine Streets) is great for families as it offers a huge off-leash grass area at the southern end behind a fantastic children’s play park. Wear out the kids and the dog, then pop across to Brew-Ha-Ha and enjoy the best coffee in Lilyfield with tables outside for you to relax with your hound.

Croydon Dog Park on Queen Street has a fully fenced off-leash park where you can let your dogs run free, knowing they’re safe. It’s a great place to train your pooch in a secure environment and get them socialising with other dogs.

Halliday Park on McGrath Avenue in Five Dock is off lead for dogs before 9am and after 5pm and is right by the Bay Run. Nearby Drummoyne Park is the unrestricted off-leash area adjoining Drummoyne Oval. It’s a great spot to head to on the weekends to watch the footy games and soak up the Inner West spirit.

 

 

Places to eat and drink

 

The Inner West has more pet-friendly cafés than any other area in Sydney and so, with far too many to list, we’ve picked out a few standouts.

Cuckoo Callay, next to the train station in Newtown, is definitely one to visit. There’s the mouth-watering menu and seriously good coffee, yes, but it’s the dedicated dog menu (and table service!) that shows true commitment to man’s best friend. Homemade maple bacon treats and an outdoor area at the back makes this a great place to catch up with friends or hang out with the whole family. [324a King Street, Newtown]

The London Hotel in Balmain is a hit with the hounds, no doubt because they’re allowed to snooze in the sun on the balcony and watch the world go by. [234 Darling Street, Balmain]

West Village is a good old-fashioned pub in Petersham with a pet-friendly courtyard, a great menu and a friendly vibe making it the perfect spot to take the kids and the dog. [30 Terminus Street, Petersham]. The Public House in Petersham has a beer garden and dogs are welcome too when you pop in for a wood-fired pizza and a craft brew [292 Stanmore Road, Petersham]

 

 

Places to shop

 

From designer dog duds and gourmet treats to grooming salons and pet megastores, the Inner West has loads of places for you to spoil your pooch or simply stock up on the essentials.

Dogue in Balmain is the place to go to pamper your pet. Friendly and experienced staff are on hand to help you with everything from grooming and diet advice to the latest must-have accessories for your fash-hound. [351 Darling Street, Balmain]

Palette Studio at 187a Victoria Street in Drummoyne is renowned for the fantastic grooming skills of its staff and offers everything from nutrition and training to dog minding and boarding services.

Pet supermarkets are dotted all over the Inner West, there’s the landmark PetO megastore at 1A The Crescent in Annandale and a giant Petbarn at 597 Darling Street in Rozelle.

 

It’s a dog’s life in the Inner West and we love it!

Posted in Community, General, Inner West on 11th July, 2017