Fetch your dog, fetch your friends … Newtown’s about to get very, very good boy energy.
From 13 to 30 August, Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey is taking over The Newtown Hotel’s courtyard and transforming it into The Dog House, a custom-built pop-up celebrating International Dog Month and the launch of the brand’s new Peanut Butter Jelly flavour. Three weeks, one very dog-friendly venue, and enough puns to make even the most reluctant pun-hater start barking with laughter.
The whole space has been kitted out to match the theme … because if you’re going to build a pop-up around a whiskey called Sheep Dog, is there any other alternative? Guests can pose in the Bark Booth, a custom kennel installation loaded with dog-themed props, while PB&J-scented diffusers, a treat dispenser, a fur-lined hallway and the occasional playful bark sound effect round out what’s easily one of the more sensory pop-ups Sydney’s seen this year.
Then there’s the menu, which leans hard into the peanut butter and jelly of it all. The Good Boy Cocktail mixes Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Jelly Whiskey with oat milk, vanilla and a jam-and-crushed-peanut rim, while That a Girl Wooftini puts a Sheep Dog spin on the classic espresso martini. If dessert’s more your speed, there’s a Biscoff, Peanut & Raspberry Semifreddo, or the Woofagato – 50ml of Sheep Dog drizzled straight over vanilla ice cream, for anyone who likes their affogato with a little extra bite.
But the real headline here might be for the four-legged crowd. Every Wednesday, it’s “Dine With Your Dog” – order any main and your pup gets a complimentary meal of their own, either a burger patty or chicken thigh (cooked or raw, no judgement either way). It’s the kind of offer that makes The Dog House feel less like a themed pop-up and more like an actual home away from home for Sydney’s dog owners.
The events calendar keeps things busy well beyond opening night. Daily Yappy Hour runs 5–7pm with $15 Sheep Dog cocktails, $10 shots and $12 Woofagatos and Semifreddos, Monday Quiz Night has Sheep Dog prize packs up for grabs, and Tuesdays bring an All-Night Yappy Hour for students and RSA holders. On Thursday 20 and Thursday 27 August, DOGUE moves in to run a full doggy salon, with complimentary nail painting, blow-dries and fur colouring for the pups who really want to make an entrance.
“The Dog House is about creating a space where dogs aren’t just welcome — they’re part of the experience,” says Katie, Newtown Hotel Manager. “It’s a fun, social takeover that brings together great drinks, great food, and a community of dog lovers right in the middle of Newtown.”
Whether you’re bringing your own four-legged plus-one or just showing up for the peanut butter cocktails, The Dog House is shaping up to be one of Newtown’s most tail-wagging takeovers yet. Just don’t expect to leave without a treat – for you or your pup.
The Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey Dog House runs at The Newtown Hotel, 174 King St, Newtown, from 13–30 August.
Leave a Reply