The Hive Bar

The Hive has been a small Erskineville corner bar since 2009, built on a tight combination: cocktails, craft beer, seasonal burgers, and resident DJs spinning vinyl from Friday through Sunday. The menu leans into real burgers — not smash-stack theatre — with local beer on tap and a decent wine-by-the-glass list. Upstairs, a function room runs comedy nights and the odd private party, which keeps the midweek programming broader than the size of the room would suggest.

Dogs are welcome on the undercover outdoor seating, which makes the covered patio the default dog-and-owner territory. There's nothing published on water bowls or treats. Staff have a reputation for welcoming a dog like they welcome a regular, which is the part that actually counts.