It’s not always easy going out with a dog in one hand and a pint in the other, so I decided to visit a pub which is tackling that challenge
Being in my early 20s with a dog, I’m constantly on the hunt for dog-friendly venues while also enjoying the company of my friends.
It’s not always easy going out with a dog in one hand and a pint in the other, so I decided to visit a pub which is tackling that challenge.
The Lion, in New Basford, has time and time again won awards for not only their venue but how dog-friendly it is, including previously being crowned most dog-friendly pub across the whole of the East Midlands two years in a row.
Now, it has once again taken the regional crown following a nationwide search by Rover, an online marketplace for pet care. A total of 110 pubs across the UK were put through their paces to find the very best places for pups and their people.
So I decided to head down with my miniature Dachshund, Rue and try it out myself. The first thing I noticed was the contact points beside every table with carabiners to attach your dog’s lead next to your table – gone are the days of looping a lead around a chair. This is the first time I’d seen this, and to me it was game-changing.
They even have a first-aid kit for dogs, something that most dog owners (myself included) don’t have. The pub is fully stocked with everything a dog owner could need: water bowls, waste bags, fresh treats to purchase at the bar and a station with free dry treats for your pup.
There is also a mountain of dog beds, meaning your pooch is always comfortable.
I spoke to the landlady of The Lion, Ella Wolfenden, who told me about the changes that have been made since she took over six years ago.
She said: “It was dog-friendly before, and they’d previously won some East Midlands Dog Awards.
“We just kind of added to that. When I took over, we introduced hooks so that we could keep dogs secure.
“We’ve got dog beds, dog ice cream, different raw treats, free biscuits and loads of water bowls.”
Ella spoke about how the real champions of how dog-friendly her pub is are the team behind the venue, who are all dog-lovers.
She said: “Most of my staff have got dogs themselves, which helps because they know how to look after them.”
After becoming a landlady, Ella was keen to point out the importance of responsibility around the pub.
A strict set of rules is in place in the pub, including keeping dogs on leads at all times and cleaning up after your dog.
Ella explained: “Even though we are very dog-friendly, we’ll have dogs inside and outside, but they’ve all got to be kept on the lead.
“Not everyone loves dogs, so we’ve got to be responsible. At the same time, it’s for the safety of each dog because not all dogs want to be friends with all the dogs.
“We’ve had dogs where, if they’re just not happy, we’ll try and find them another table. There are plenty of places where dogs can sort of have their own space.”
But the thing that really stood out to me is how much they feature their customers’ pups in everything they do, even so much as the staff knowing all the dogs’ names before the owners and the events they host year-round.
Ella continued: “It provides people who often come in by themselves, whether they’ve got a dog with them or they don’t, with an interaction.
“People sort of go, ‘Oh, I love your dog,’ and it starts conversations in pubs.
“Every year, we do Doggy Santa. One of my staff, Nathan, dresses up as Santa and dyes his beard.
“We have a big Christmas tree outside, and people just come in, take their own photos and do their own thing.”
If Christmas couldn’t get exciting enough, I can now bring my dog down and get a picture with Santa.
The pub also hosts a Christmas market, bringing together local vendors from across Nottingham, with a strong focus on dog owners.
It wouldn’t be a pub review without touching on the venue itself.
The Lion in Basford has 10 real ale cask lines; they only have one permanent beer, and everything else changes regularly.
Ella explained that in the past year they’ve had 450 different beers featured in their line-up from around 150 breweries and have also recently improved their wine offerings.
They also have around 12 different options, including beers and ciders, which have seen a massive increase in intake.
Overall, if you are looking for a space to both have a good quality pint and drink with your loving pooch, this is the perfect spot for you.
