Looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat or a cocktail or two in Newquay? This dog-friendly town is packed with fab bars, coffee shops, restaurants and pubs that will welcome four-legged customers with open arms. In fact, they’ll probably get served their water bowl and a biscuit before you’ve even had chance to look at the menu!
Newquay’s bustling town centre is full of dogs – you only need to stand outside The Central Inn and look in any direction, and you’ll have already lost count. For this reason, most of the eateries in the town welcome waggy-tailed customers – but these are the Scamps top picks that we return to time and time again.
From live music bars to coffee tattoo shops, Instagrammable chains, seaside views and independent dives – these are six of the best dog friendly pubs, bars and restaurants in Newquay that your dog will love.
The Dead Famous Liquor Lounge
The Dead Famous Liquor Lounge finds itself on Gover Lane, just up from Towan Beach, making for the perfect post-beach pitstop. By day, the bar serves a range of burgers, loaded fries and nachos, turning into a bustling LA style club by night with a fabulous cocktail menu.
Friendly bar staff welcomed our pack of three big dogs as we perched on a high table near the bar to order food. We were offered a glass of water that we were able to pour into their travel bowls, and they sat good as gold as customers walked in and out of the venue.
Indie and rock music lovers will be in their element here – with gig posters slapped on the wall and cracking live performances in the evenings. Whilst the night time scene might not be for canine customers, you can certainly while away an hour or two in here during the day with your doggo.
I highly recommend their pulled pork loaded fries and the Cherry Famous cocktails!
The Brew and Tattoo
Fancy a flash tattoo, new piercing or a cup of tea? Then head over to The Brew and Tattoo. Front of house staff member Hannah absolutely gushed over our dogs when we walked in, and we love the kind of place that welcomes your dog before they say hi to you! Hannah gave each of them a treat whilst we browsed the tattoo flash sheets in the doorway.
Whilst Dad, Karl and Mel headed upstairs for some new ink, Mum and I sat downstairs with Phoebe, Frank and Winston, who lapped up all the attention from the tattoo artists between their clients.
Staff were incredibly upbeat and charismatic, chatting about the dogs and happy to answer any piercing questions we had, too. Whilst the venue does serve alcohol as a bar, it can’t be served at the same time tattooing is going on, so you’ll have to wait until 6pm if you want a cheeky cocktail. As well as hot and cold beverages and tattoos, Brew and Tattoo also offer a range of homemade cakes.
We sat on the cosy oxblood chesterfield armchairs at a low, industrial table. Frank sat patiently on my deep chair with me whilst Winston and Phoebe preferred to sit nearer the door to obtain fusses from passers by.
The Fort Inn
Overlooking Newquay harbour, The Fort Inn is one of the few places we found to serve food from 12pm, so great for brunch, early lunch, or a light bite to fuel the day.
Dogs are allowed to sit in the bar area, but the outdoor terrace is definitely the place to be if you’ve got the weather for it, because the views are incredible. You’ll be hard pressed to find a table without a waggy tail poking out from underneath waiting for chips to fall on the floor, as its a very popular pub for pet owners.
Waiting on staff gave all the dogs a fuss whilst taking our food and drinks orders at the table, before bringing them all a bowl of water to share and erecting a parasol for us to give them some shade.
Owned by St Austell brewery, it offers traditional pub food and a range of cask and keg beers at affordable prices. I adore their baked brie starter with cranberry, and their chips are some of the best in town.
Whiskers Live Music Bar
Who would have thought that Lady & The Scamps would be recommending a bar inspired by… cats?
Whiskers is owned by cat-lovers JC and Nicole, and the live music bar recently underwent a major renovation which has seen an LED light up dance floor and tonnes of feline-themed decor installed. Inspired by pet moggies Orla and Nibbles, Whiskers is a great place to start (and end) a night out in Newquay.
The first time we visited, I spotted a little whippet in one of the booths, and couldn’t believe the venue was so welcoming of dogs – even in the evening. We headed back a few days later with The Scamps, and caught a free gig by Newton Faulkner. This is such a cool little space that feels right at home for me.
Whilst the bar doesn’t serve cocktails, you can get a selection of delicious craft beers, like the Jubel Elderflower session IPA, as well as locally made Tarquin’s Gins.
Rebellion Roast House
Up at the top end of town near Great Western beach, you’ll find Rebellion Roast House – Newquay’s moonshine bar. Whilst there were some staffing issues during August which meant food wasn’t served when we were visiting, it’s still a great place to grab a cocktail.
Cornish Moonshine Mojitos, Moonshine Mary’s and Moonshine Mules are all on the extensive cocktail list, but it was the Nice Pear that stole the show for me.
We sat outside in the sun on the Rebellion terrace, which is a little summer sun trap with picnic benches the dogs could lounge around. Dogs are also allowed inside, where you’ll find low leather sofas adorned with faux cowhide throws.
My seafood loving family will attest that Rebellion serve some of the best mussels in Cornwall – and the only Maple Moonshine Mussels – so they’re well worth ordering.
Slug and Lettuce
Whilst we didn’t take the dogs to Slug and Lettuce this year, Phoebe and Frank did enjoy a visit in 2020 – and it’s one of this lists most Instagrammable venues. Plush seating, neon lights, stunning floor tiles and hanging plants on gold shelves – there are certainly plenty of photo opportunities.
The dogs were served before we’d even had chance to look at the menu, with a server bringing them two bowls of water. Another member of staff came to bring them some treats, and the bouncers loved giving Phoebe and Frank a fuss.
The chicken feast sharing platter is amazing for 2-4 people, so perfect if you just want a few nibbles – and the gyoza chicken dumplings are to die for.
It’s 2-4-1 cocktails every day, so pop in with your pup, pull up a pew, and enjoy the atmosphere of this picturesque venue.
