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Brighton is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the UK, and its pubs reflect that. Most welcome dogs as standard, but some go further: treats behind the bar, water bowls without asking, staff who greet your dog before they greet you, and gardens big enough to actually relax in.
This guide covers the best dog friendly pubs in Brighton and Hove by area, so you can find somewhere good near your walk, your home or wherever you happen to be.
Dog friendly pubs in Brighton and Hove at a glance
| Pub | Area | Beer garden / outdoor space | Food | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camelford Arms | Kemptown | Yes, Moroccan-style patio | Full menu, award-winning Sunday roast | Best all-round dog pub, Kemptown |
| The Walrus | The Lanes, Ship Street | Roof garden and outside space | Full menu, dogs not usually in dining room | Cosy snugs, central location |
| The Cleveland Arms | Fiveways / Preston Park | Yes, front and rear outdoor space | Homemade pub food, Sunday roasts | Post-walk from Preston Park or Blakers Park |
| The Hartington | Hanover | Yes | Pub food, Sunday roasts | Hanover locals, relaxed atmosphere |
| The Dorset | North Laine, North Road | Streetside tables | Burgers, pub classics | Central, pre-shopping stop |
| Hove Place | Hove, First Avenue | Yes, garden | Gastropub classics | Hove, Sunday lunch |
| The Better Half | Hove | Outdoor space | Seasonal pub food, Sunday roast | Hove seafront walks, cosy food pub |
| The Bell Tower | Kemptown / East Brighton | Yes | Full menu | Newer pub, garden, local feel |
| Sidewinder | Kemptown | Yes, multiple gardens | Carlito Burrito food | Big outdoor space, craft beer |
| The Brunswick | Hove | Yes, large sunny beer garden | Fire-led British food, Sunday roasts | Big garden, Hove families, live music |
| Ancient Mariner | Hove, Poets’ Corner | Yes, beer garden | Pub classics, Sunday roasts | Hove, indoor and outdoor space |
| The Caxton Arms | Central, near station | Small outside area | Pub classics, burgers | Near station, Dog of the Week wall |
| The Signalman | Ditchling Rise | Yes | Burgers, Sunday roast | Families, sport, garden |
| The Marine Tavern | Kemptown, Broad Street | No | Bar snacks / drinks-led | Inclusive, LGBTQIA+ friendly, community |
| Devil’s Dyke Pub | South Downs, out of city | Yes, large outdoor space | Full menu | Post-walk reward, views |
Kemptown and East Brighton
Camelford Arms
Widely considered one of the most dog friendly pubs in Brighton. Dogs are welcomed properly, the staff make a genuine fuss, and it is not unusual to see more dogs than people on a quiet afternoon.
The Moroccan-style courtyard patio is a nice spot in warmer weather, and the food is solid. The Sunday roast has won local Golden Handbag recognition for several years, so this is not just a dog stop, it is a proper food pub too.
It is a proper Kemptown local with character: cosy, slightly eccentric and completely unpretentious. If you are only going to try one dog friendly pub in Brighton, make it this one.
The Bell Tower
The Bell Tower is one of Brighton’s newer pubs, opened in October 2024 on the former Daddy Longlegs site.
It is part of the Golden Lion Group and has quickly become a useful option for dog owners around Kemptown and East Brighton. The pub has a spacious garden, a modern-meets-traditional feel and a full food and drink offering.
It is a good choice if you want somewhere slightly away from the busiest central streets but still close enough to the seafront and Marina side of Brighton.
Sidewinder
If your dog needs space, Sidewinder is one of the best Kemptown options.
It has multiple garden areas, a strong drinks selection and a bigger footprint than it looks from the street. Food comes from Carlito Burrito, so expect burritos and Mexican-inspired comfort food rather than standard pub classics.
Sidewinder is popular with Kemptown locals and a reliable option for sunny afternoons, group drinks and dogs who settle better outdoors.
The Marine Tavern
The Marine Tavern is a small, characterful Kemptown pub on Broad Street with a big personality.
Dogs are welcome, and the pub makes a point of being dog friendly, with treats, water and a warm welcome for pooches. It is also one of Brighton’s well-known LGBTQIA+ venues, with regular entertainment and a strong community feel.
There is no beer garden, but the warmth of the welcome more than makes up for it. A genuine community pub.
Central Brighton and The Lanes
The Dorset
On North Road at the edge of North Laine, The Dorset is a reliable dog friendly pub in Brighton’s centre.
Mismatched chairs, a cosy traditional feel and streetside tables make it a handy option if you are already browsing around North Laine. The menu covers pub classics, and the central location makes it easy to stop in before or after shopping.
It is the kind of pub where you can settle in with your dog under the table without feeling like you are in the way.
The Walrus
The Walrus is one of Brighton’s best-loved pubs, tucked away on Ship Street in The Lanes.
The inside is a maze of rooms, snugs and booths, giving you plenty of cosy corners to tuck into with your dog. There is also a roof garden and outside space, which adds to the appeal in warmer weather.
Dogs are generally welcome, although dining room rules can vary, so check with staff if you are booking for food. The central location makes it easy to combine with a stroll through The Lanes.
The Caxton Arms
The Caxton Arms is close to Brighton Station, which makes it handy for arriving visitors with dogs.
Its Dog of the Week feature has helped give it a strong reputation with dog owners, and it is a friendly backstreet pub rather than a polished tourist spot. The menu covers pub classics, including burgers, fish and chips and vegetarian and vegan options.
It is a good place to wind down after arriving in the city or before heading home by train.
Hanover, Ditchling Rise and Preston Park
The Hartington
Known locally as “The Harty”, The Hartington is a Hanover pub with a relaxed, neighbourhood feel.
It is child and dog friendly, serves pub food and Sunday lunches, and has a garden. Hanover has one of the highest concentrations of pubs in Brighton, but The Hartington stands out for how naturally dog-friendly it feels.
Walk through Queen’s Park on the way there to give your dog a proper run first.
The Signalman
The Signalman is on Ditchling Rise, close to London Road and Preston Circus rather than deep in North Laine.
It is a friendly pub with food, sports, Sunday roasts and a beer garden. Dogs are welcome, and it works well if you want somewhere relaxed with enough space to sit outside when the weather behaves.
It is also practical for families, groups and anyone based around London Road, The Level or Preston Circus.
The Cleveland Arms
Overlooking Blakers Park near Preston Park, The Cleveland Arms is an ideal post-walk pub.
The food is homemade and locally sourced, with Sunday roasts a particular strength. The pub describes itself as family and dog friendly, and the setting near Blakers Park makes it easy to combine with a walk.
Front and rear outdoor seating means there is useful space when the weather is good. If you are walking in Preston Park or around the Fiveways and Blakers Park area, this is where you end up.
Hove
Hove Place
Hove Place is a popular gastropub on First Avenue with one of the nicest pub gardens in central Hove.
Dogs are welcome, and the atmosphere is relaxed enough for a post-walk lunch while still feeling a little smarter than a basic boozer. The food covers gastropub classics, and it is a strong Sunday lunch option.
It is a good choice if you are walking from Hove Lawns, the seafront or the avenues.
The Better Half
The Better Half is in Hove, close to the seafront, and describes itself clearly as dog friendly.
The food is seasonal, homemade and a step above standard pub grub, with Sunday roasts and a cosy atmosphere. It is a good option if you want proper food but still want your dog to feel welcome rather than tolerated.
Because it is near the seafront, it works well after a walk along Hove promenade.
The Brunswick
The Brunswick is a Hove pub and live music venue with a large sunny beer garden.
Dogs are welcome, and the outdoor space makes it especially useful for families or groups with dogs. The pub has a community feel, regular events and a food menu from Ash & Honey, serving fire-led British food with global spice.
It is a good pick if you want a proper Hove pub with space, atmosphere and more going on than just a quiet pint.
Ancient Mariner
The Ancient Mariner is a welcoming local pub in Poets’ Corner, Hove.
It has a gorgeous beer garden, open fire, regular events and a community pub feel. The pub welcomes friendly dogs and asks that they are kept on leads, which is sensible in a busy local.
Food covers pub classics and Sunday roasts, making it a solid Hove option if you want somewhere with character and both indoor and outdoor space.
Post-walk reward
Devil’s Dyke Pub
Devil’s Dyke Pub is not in Brighton itself, but it earns its place because it sits by one of the best dog walking spots near the city.
The South Downs setting is the draw: big views, proper walking routes and a pub at the end of it. Dogs are welcome in the bar area and outdoor spaces, with water and treats available.
It is the perfect post-walk reward if you want to make more of the day than just a quick city pint.
Tips for dog owners
Most dog friendly pubs in Brighton welcome well-behaved dogs without needing to book, but a few things are worth keeping in mind.
Dogs on leads inside is generally expected unless the pub says otherwise. Water bowls are usually provided, but bringing your own travel bowl is sensible on hot days.
If your dog is anxious around other dogs, weekday lunchtimes are usually quieter than weekend afternoons, when many pubs are full of four-legged visitors.
Brighton and Hove beach rules change by season. From 1 October to 30 April, dogs are allowed on all beaches. From 1 May to 30 September, dogs are only allowed on designated dog-friendly beach sections, so check signs before heading onto the shingle.
For more on dog walking routes, beaches, cafes and local rules, see our full guide to Dog Friendly Brighton.
FAQs
Are most pubs in Brighton dog friendly?
Yes, the majority of pubs in Brighton welcome dogs, at least in the bar area. A smaller number allow dogs throughout or make a particular effort with treats, bowls and staff who genuinely fuss over them. The pubs on this list go further than simply tolerating dogs.
Which is the most dog friendly pub in Brighton?
Camelford Arms in Kemptown is one of the strongest choices. Dogs are genuinely welcomed, the pub has a strong local reputation for being dog friendly, and the overall atmosphere suits dog owners well.
Can I take my dog to a pub beer garden in Brighton?
Yes, most pub beer gardens in Brighton and Hove are dog friendly. Sidewinder in Kemptown is especially good for outdoor space, while The Brunswick in Hove and Hove Place are strong garden options.
Are there dog friendly pubs near Brighton station?
Yes. The Caxton Arms is one of the closest and most useful options near Brighton Station. The Walrus in The Lanes and The Dorset on North Road are also walkable.
Do any pubs in Brighton offer dog treats or dog bowls?
Yes. Several pubs keep dog treats or water bowls available. Camelford Arms, The Marine Tavern, Devil’s Dyke Pub and many others are known for making dogs feel genuinely welcome. A dedicated dog menu is less common, but water bowls are easy to find across the city.
Where can I take my dog for a pub lunch with a good walk nearby?
The Cleveland Arms near Preston Park and Blakers Park, The Hartington near Queen’s Park, Hove Place near Hove seafront, and Devil’s Dyke Pub on the South Downs all combine food with good walking routes nearby.
Are dogs allowed on Brighton beach before the pub?
It depends on the time of year and the section of beach. Dogs are allowed on all Brighton and Hove beaches from 1 October to 30 April. From 1 May to 30 September, dogs are only allowed on designated dog-friendly beach sections. Always check the council guidance and signs on the beach.
Final thoughts
You will not struggle to find dog friendly pubs in Brighton. The city is built for it.
The picks on this list are the places where dogs are not just allowed, but genuinely welcomed. They are the pubs where staff know regular dogs by name, bowls appear without fuss, and the atmosphere is better because dogs are part of it.
Pick the area that suits your walk route, turn up, and your dog will probably get served before you do.
