Dog-friendly drinking spots in Jesmond are on the rise, according to our snapshot survey, with all of the bars on Osborne Road now encouraging customers to bring along a pooch.

The strip of bars is well-known to students and locals who like to enjoy a few drinks. But the “Oz Road” bar scene is now promoting a dog-friendly ethos too. Even newer venues, such as Flower Café, have opted to follow suit, actively welcoming pets through its doors.

It is not unusual now to look beneath a barstool at Spy Bar and spy a labrador dozing off, or to see water bowls placed outside on the Bar Blanc terrace.

Much of this shift has been driven by a sharp rise in dog ownership since the pandemic, when lockdowns reshaped daily routines and pet companions took on new importance. With more people working from home, dogs became easier to care for and harder to leave behind.

This year, the UK’s estimated dog population reached a record high, with many owners saying that their pets improve mental health, providing company and often vital support.

As a result, demand for dog-friendly venues has grown. For bars and restaurants, the good news is that welcoming dogs can boost business. According to research from the Kennel Club three-quarters of owners say they are more likely to visit a restaurant, pub or café if their dog can come.

Andrew Reeve, a local freelance lecturer in business and economics, said not allowing dogs to enter now comes at a cost. “By excluding dogs, pubs are missing out on customers who might pop in mid-walk for a pint, along with the additional income stream that comes from selling treats and pet-friendly extras,” he told JesmondLocal.

Despite common misconceptions, there are no EU or UK regulations that prohibit dogs from entering establishments which serve food, such as bars and restaurants.

Some Jesmond bars have fully embraced the trend. At Soho Osbornes, for example, dogs are treated to complimentary burger patties, supplied by Brack Burger, when they arrive with their owners.

The website for the Greene King chain of pubs, which runs the Lonsdale in West Jesmond, agrees that dogs “are so much more than just our pets”, though the decision to admit dogs is at the manager’s discretion. However, the Lonsdale is one of those desginated as dog-friendly.

Anna, a barmaid at the Punchbowl on Jesmond Road, said her pub chose to be dog-friendly “due to the community aspect. Everyone has dogs now, and it’s not like we get any complaints because we advertise ourselves as a dog-friendly space.”

Phoenix Bar’s food and beverage manager, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “We definitely welcome dogs. We offer dog-friendly rooms when people come and stay with us, because we don’t want to discriminate against anyone who has pets.” She added that the policy had only been challenged once. “One time we did have complaints, because there was an incident where a dog attacked a family out of nowhere. I’m not sure what kind of breed it was but we had to ask the owner and dog to leave and not return.”

Locals might appreciate a little irony in this dog-friendly shift. Newcastle Brown Ale has long been affectionately known as “the Dog”, a nickname linked to the north east euphemism “I’m going to walk the dog” – a discreet way of saying someone was heading to the pub. The beer is sold in most Jesmond bars, even though it is no longer brewed in Newcastle.

The canine-inclusive trend extends from pubs and local beer to events. Wylam Brewery in Exhibition Park held its first Pints and Pooches dog social in November, partnering with Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter. Organisers have planned a follow-up event this weekend, on 20 December, Pints and Pooches: Santa Paws, hoping to draw an even bigger crowd in the run-up to Christmas.

Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter’s Community Fundraising Officer, Niamh Bell told Jesmond Local: “Events like this are crucial to what we do as a charity. We are lucky enough to receive continued support from the local community and businesses like Wylam Brewery to ensure that we can continue to be there for animals that deserve a second chance in life.”

Wylam venue co-ordinator Graham Moffatt said he was relieved when the crowds came pouring in, admitting he was unsure what demand for a dog-focused social would be like. He estimated around 100 dogs attended, along with their accompanying humans. Some customers commented that by welcoming dogs, bars and breweries are becoming more of a social space, not just a place to drink, but to mix with others and unwind with pets.

Ellie Garbutt, co-owner of a canine accessory business, said the appeal of dog-friendly venues is clear. “We are very much for dog-friendly spaces. I do understand that not all places would like to be, and that is their choice, I just hate the idea of leaving my dog at home if I don’t have to. I also think a lot of the time, when we bring our dogs places, it makes the staff happy.”

To discover more pubs and bars that welcome dogs, search your local area on Dog-FriendlyUK.