Heading to Randwick and wondering whether The Dog Hotel lives up to its name? This guide draws on verified user reviews, official records, and hospitality industry reports to answer the real questions searchers ask: Is the beer garden genuinely dog-friendly? Are there weekly specials worth planning for? And what do the 102 Tripadvisor reviews actually say about the experience today? We have combed through Tripadvisor, Domain, PubTIC, The Shout, and Trip.com to bring you the facts.

Last checked: 2026-07-14

Venue name: The Dog Hotel (also known as The DOG / Duke of Gloucester) · Location: Randwick, New South Wales, Australia · Cuisine type: Classic bistro pub fare · Dog policy: Dogs welcome on leash in the partly covered beer garden · Notable features: Big screens, game day energy, trivia nights, weekly specials, beer garden · Operator: Merivale

The Dog Randwick at a glance

1 Address

• 2 St Marks Road, Randwick NSW 2031 (Tripadvisor)

2 Operator

• Merivale acquired the venue in November 2020 (The Shout)

3 Liquor licence

• 2 am licence, operating on a 746-square-metre corner block (Domain)

4 2019 annual revenue

• Exceeded AUD $8 million at the time of sale listing (Domain)

Key facts about The Dog Hotel Randwick

Attribute	Detail
Venue name	The Dog Hotel (also known as The DOG / Duke of Gloucester)
Location	Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
Cuisine type	Classic bistro pub fare
Dog policy	Dogs welcome on leash in the partly covered beer garden
Notable features	Big screens, game day energy, trivia nights, weekly specials, beer garden
Operator	Merivale (acquired November 2020)

Is the Dog Randwick dog friendly?

Yes — the partly covered beer garden at The Dog Hotel welcomes dogs on leash. While no official breed restrictions appear in the sources reviewed, multiple reviews on Tripadvisor mention bringing dogs to the outdoor area. The venue operates a family-friendly policy alongside its dog-friendly one, with high chairs available for children per Tripadvisor’s facilities listing.

What this means: If you are planning a pub visit with your dog, the beer garden is your spot. Indoor areas and the upstairs quiet zone are not confirmed as dog-accessible from the sources we reviewed.

Dog policy in the beer garden

Reviewers on Tripadvisor frequently reference the beer garden as a space where dogs are present. One March 2017 review described “a good beer garden plus upstairs quiet areas” as part of the venue’s layout. The garden is partly covered, providing some shelter.

Leash requirements

Multiple sources indicate dogs must remain on leash in the outdoor area. This aligns with typical New South Wales pub regulations for food-serving venues.

Does the Dog in Randwick have a pool table?

We found no confirmation that The Dog Hotel currently has a pool table. The venue’s amenities — per Tripadvisor and Trip.com — emphasise big screens for sport, a beer garden, and weekly specials rather than games. A 2017 review mentioned “59 beers on tap”, but did not list pool or other table games.

The catch: The absence of evidence does not prove the table is missing; however, across 102 reviews and multiple listing sites, no reviewer mentions playing pool.

The Dog Randwick weekly specials and happy hour

The most consistently documented deal is the Monday night offer: AUD $25 per person including a house drink, available from 5 pm. A 2017 review also noted “really good meal deals all week, 2 for 1’s etc”. Margarita specials at AUD $18 have been advertised, though dates of those promotions are not confirmed from our sources.

Why this matters: If you are looking for value, Monday evening appears to be the strongest bet. Trivia nights and game-day specials are mentioned in reviews but without fixed weekly schedules in the available data.

What do reviews say about The Dog Randwick?

The aggregate picture from 102 Tripadvisor reviews is mixed, with a 3.2 out of 5 rating placing it at #214 of 378 restaurants in Randwick. Reviews span from 2013 to 2024, covering multiple ownership eras.

“Fabulous Sunday Dinner. Outstanding food, helpful staff, great atmosphere with a DJ.”

Tripadvisor reviewer, August 2024

“Used to be good for 30 years but has plummeted seriously downhill. Loud DJ music, unsupervised children running around.”

Tripadvisor long-term local reviewer, February 2024

Two positive patterns emerge across multiple reviews: the Sunday roast is consistently praised, and the craft beer selection draws repeat visits. On the negative side, complaints focus on noise from DJs during evening sessions and inconsistent food quality — steaks described as “tender” in 2015 but criticised as “warm” in 2024.

Beyond English-language reviews, an Arabic Tripadvisor listing describes the venue as a “good place to enjoy the evening” with “food and drinks” and “a lot of room to sit and also enjoy with the family”.

The bottom line: Experience varies significantly by day and time. Sunday lunch seems the most reliably positive slot; Friday and Saturday evenings carry more noise risk.

Pricing at The Dog Randwick

Tripadvisor lists The Dog Hotel in the “$$ – $$$” price bracket. The Monday house drink deal is the cheapest documented option at AUD $25 per person. Regular menu items — steaks, roasts, chicken schnitzel, mussels, salads — appear in user-uploaded photos but no official price list is available in our sources.

What to watch: Prices may have shifted since Merivale’s 2020 acquisition. The AUD $25 Monday deal is the only verified current price point.

Alternatives to The Dog Hotel in Randwick

If The Dog does not suit your plans, two nearby pubs with dog-friendly policies and verified data include the Warren View Hotel in Enmore and the Grandchester Hotel, both of which offer beer gardens and similar pub fare.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Dog Randwick dog friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome on leash in the partly covered beer garden. No breed restrictions were found in the sources reviewed.

Does The Dog Randwick have a beer garden?

Yes, it has a partly covered beer garden that multiple Tripadvisor reviews describe as a key feature.

What are The Dog Randwick’s hours?

Commonly listed hours from Tripadvisor and Trip.com: Monday–Thursday 10:00–midnight, Friday–Saturday 10:00–2:00 am, Sunday 10:00–23:00. Verify before visiting as hours can change.

Is there a dress code at The Dog Randwick?

No dress code is mentioned in any of the sources reviewed. Casual pub attire is the norm.

Does The Dog Randwick serve food?

Yes, it serves classic bistro pub fare — steaks, roasts, chicken schnitzel, salads, and mussels. The Sunday roast receives consistent praise.

Are kids allowed at The Dog Randwick?

Yes. Tripadvisor’s facilities listing confirms high chairs are available. The venue is family-friendly, though some evening reviews mention noise from children.

The bottom line: Yes. Tripadvisor’s facilities listing confirms high chairs are available. The venue is family-friendly, though some evening reviews mention noise from children.