Dog owners, dog lovers and canine enthusiasts unite! We have all the info on dog friendly pubs, bars, restaurants, attractions and shopping centres in Leicester!

They’re a part of our family, and we all want to pamper our pooches and take them everywhere with us. The great news is that Leicester has become more and more dog-friendly over the past few years, with a number of pubs, cafés and hotels now offering dog-friendly (or dog-first!) services.

Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance recently revealed Leicester as one the most dog-friendly destinations across the UK in a recent campaign. Most Dog-Friendly Cities in The UK | Sainsbury’s Bank (sainsburysbank.co.uk)
 


The research also highlighted that Leicester has the second highest number of dog-friendly pubs and restaurants in the region according to Tripadvisor. So we’re putting this together to give you an idea of just how much there is to do for dog lovers in the city and county!


Pubs for pups

Whether you’re popping in for a swift half or wanting some great grub, there are so many places that will welcome you and your dog now. Take a look at some of our faves.

It’s the oldest pub in the city and The Globe welcomes dogs inside, they’ll definitely make a fuss and give them a treat. Whether it’s the garden or the main bar, dogs are always welcome at the Queen of Bradgate, where you can try their range of excellent craft beers or cocktails and get yourself a dinner (25% off throughout January!).

Tonne is one of Leicester’s best new craft beer venues, and they’re completely dog friendly, offering a bowl of fresh water for your pup while you sup. The Tree is a Craft bar with one of the best beer gardens in the city, perfect for you and your pooch to take advantage of (well, when the weather improves, but they’re still welcome in the bar). Firebug is a staple of the city’s bar scene, and not only do they positively welcome doggies, they are open from midday every single day.

Up on London Road is the Old Horse, popular with people looking for a great home cooked meal, or a great selection of beer from local brewery Everards, they’re also happy to accommodate dogs, so once you’ve tramped round Viccy Park, then just pop in. Or you might choose to head to The Loaded Dog, as expected, they’re super dog friendly and happy to accommodate you in the large bar area or in the garden.

On the other side of the city, The Black Horse on Braunstone Gate has been there for as long as anyone can remember, and despite being a little smaller, always has room for doggies alongside their live music and great selection of ales. The Bowling Green, near De Montfort University is another venue that may have changed name, but the welcome for students, sports fans and dogs hasn’t changed.

There’s loads more out in the county, the pubs are practically full of doggies, but we’ll leave it there for now, as we’re getting thirsty!


Cafés and restaurants

When it comes to choosing a place to eat or grab a quick coffee when you’re out with the dog, it can be difficult as not all places welcome them, but there are more than you’d image who do. First there are loads of coffee houses who are 100% dog friendly.

Grays Coffee shop and kitchen in the LCB Depot, the home of Leicester’s Creative Industries, have a full menus of snacks, sandwiches and much more and are happy to host you when you’re out walking through the Cultural Quarter. St Martins Coffee Shop do wonderful home roasted coffee and they welcome pups in the café, as do Leicester Coffee House who even have their own resident coffee dog, star of their logo also!

There are loads more places that welcome our canine friends so that you can grab a coffee, snack or meal with them. Whether you fancy noodles at Pho, great food and a vegan menu at Prana, Indian street food at Mowgli, the excellent coffee and cakes at Bread & Honey, or delicacies from Bryter Moon Deli in Silver Street, come along, bring the doggie and explore the city centre.

One of Leicestershire’s best kept secrets is the Bark and Brew café in Mountsorrel, one of the county's top dog-first cafés. Alongside the great cakes and paninis for the humans, they offer doggie meals for a great price, including the always popular Old English Barkfast plus birthday pawties and toys and treats to buy for your super spoiled pups.


Dog friendly attractions and shopping

There are quite a few shops in the city centre that are dog friendly, the best thing to do if you’re not sure is just stick your head in the door and ask. BUT! The Highcross Shopping Centre is completely dog friendly! You can take your four-legged friend with you while you explore the centre and its shops, stop for a coffee or some food, and browse to your heart’s content alongside Fido, just make sure they’re well behaved and stay on a static lead!

There’s more info about the rules and the shops in the centre who allow dogs inside on the Highcross website.

There are also some dog friendly attractions where you can have fun and East St Lanes is fully dog friendly, so whether you're bowling, eating, drinking, axe throwing or playing pool, you don't have to leave your four legged friend at home.

Belvoir Castle is a favourite attractions for dog lovers in the county. While dogs can’t go in the castle itself, they are welcome around the grounds and Capability Brown designed gardens, just keep them on the lead and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings. Belvoir Castle also hosts the annual DogFest where dogs from around the region gather for world-class displays from top canine athletes; free expert advice and workshops; have-a-go activities to take part in, shopping and loads more.


Hotels for dogs

Leicester has the most dog-friendly accommodation available to rent out of all the cities that the study looked at in the East Midlands. Two of our favourites are also two of the most luxurious in Leicester. The Hotel Brooklyn has a proper New York style and the two paper mache dogs in reception welcome you and your doggie to this beautiful boutique hotel, which is right next to the Leicester Tigers stadium (and not far from Victoria Park for walkies).

Closer to the city centre is the Gresham Aparthotel, which has a few dog friendly rooms on offer. We took Visit Leicester mascot Rox to one of them last year to test the facilities. Suffice to say he was very impressed with the Gresham and would definitely go back!

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