Pubs to go to the dogs in premier's pre-election pitch

Dogs will be allowed to lap up a cold drink with their owners in a punter-friendly pre-election pitch that also allows pubs to stay open later.

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll announced a suite of hospitality reforms on Thursday he said would breathe new life into the state's night-time economy.

Should Labor win a historic fourth term at the November state election, pubs would be automatically allowed to trade until 3am, no longer required to apply for the right to operate beyond 1am.

Dogs would also be allowed inside at the venue owner's discretion while licence applications would be fast-tracked and extended for proven operators.

"Our local pubs are the best in the nation," Mr Carroll told reporters at Richmond's London Tavern on Thursday morning.

"We're also, though, going to move with the times ... all over Europe, pubs have been dog-friendly for years."

On the front lines of the battle to allow dogs into Melbourne's pubs is the Rose Hotel, a beloved watering hole on Fitzroy's Napier Street.

Council officers ordered the venue to bar the four-legged patrons from entry earlier in 2026, after receiving a complaint.

They were enforcing a more than 40-year-old Victorian law banning dogs from indoor parts of premises where food is handled or served.

General manager Neil Spark launched a petition to overturn the rule, which has since attracted more than 24,500 signatures.

He said he woke on Thursday morning to find his phone inundated with messages alerting him to Mr Carroll's announcement.

Mr Spark said the extended trading hours would be a lifeline to certain venues though his venue was unlikely to stay open so late, except on special occasions.

But he said he was delighted to learn publicans including himself would be entrusted with deciding whether dogs are allowed inside.

"If you're someone that doesn't like dogs in pubs, you can always wander down the street and find somewhere else," said.