The Waterloo

The Waterloo is a neighbourhood pub just off the seafront in a residential part of Weymouth, and dogs are welcome inside. It has more of a local-pub feel than a touristy one, which means familiar faces, proper community rhythm, and the kind of atmosphere where a dog settling under the table fits right in. The pub serves traditional home-cooked food including pies, with real ales, craft beers and an impressive gin selection, and there's a large beer garden at the rear.

Social pages point to live music, quizzes and regular events, so it sounds like a friendly spot with a bit going on rather than just a quiet place for a drink. Opening hours are 12pm–11pm Monday to Saturday and 12pm–10:30pm Sunday. That makes it a good option for people who like pubs with local energy and a calendar that keeps things ticking along nicely, as long as your dog can handle a bit of coming and going.

More proper local than polished showpiece, which is often exactly the point when you want a drink somewhere that feels real and doesn't mind a lead looped round a chair leg.