There are not too many places in Brisbane you can take your best friend for a walk and stop off for a glass of prosecco. Sassafras Canteen now has a liquor licence and has transformed its cafe courtyard into a "Bar in the Garden" with dogs welcome.
"We had a booking last week for 10 people and a dog," says co-owner Maureen Mullins. "As dog people ourselves, we think it's lovely that people can come and have a beer or wine with their pet."
The Latrobe Terrace landmark, formerly Sassafras Cafe, is housed in a traditional Paddington cottage and is known for its healthy treats and all-day breakfasts. After 18 years of operation, Mullins and husband Peter Clarke agreed the well-loved local needed refreshing.
"We rebranded it and introduced the canteen lunch concept. Everything changes daily with that day's menu posted on Facebook. We'd also been thinking about a liquor licence for a while and we have a large shady garden that's perfect for a bar so we decided to go for it."
The drinks list includes local brews from Green Beacon and Newstead Brewing, Hillbilly Cider and a succinct and well-priced wine list including King Valley prosecco.
The bar menu largely features hot dogs (ahem!), with names such as Coco the Chihuahua (chicken and pinenut sausage with avocado, salsa and camembert) and Louis the Dachshund (smoked beef sausage, saukerkraut, mustard and tomato relish). There's also a vegetarian version, Peter the Poodle (red bean and beetroot falafel, chipotle-garlic aioli, avocado and salsa). Snacks include a cheese and charcuterie plate and sweet potato fries.
Bar in the Garden is open Fri-Sun 2pm-9.30pm.
Furry friends can enter through the side entrance.
Sassafras Canteen, 88 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington, 07 3369 0600, sassafrascanteen.com.au
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