5 Dog Parks That Are Also Bars (Yes, You Read That Right)
Hanging out is always more fun when you’re with your best friend. And if your best friend has four legs and loves belly rubs, you don’t need to leave her home the next time you want to get your drink on. It’s time we discuss a very important concept sweeping the nation: dog park bars.
Dog park bars are 21+ establishments where pet parents can enjoy adult beverages (and often food) while dogs can play off-leash with other pooches in fenced-in areas. These aren’t just dog-friendly bars — usually, dog park bars require membership for the dogs, ensuring all the pups are up to date on their vaccinations. Memberships can range from day rates to monthly or annual packages (and showing up without a dog is usually free!).
Lots of dog park bars feature a dog wash station so you can clean up your friend before heading home, and “Wooferees” are on hand to keep the peace.
Here are five dog park bars around the country where we’d love to hit up “yappy hour” — and as an added bonus, these animal/human hangouts are spacious and social-distancing friendly!
In This Article
1. Wagbar
Asheville, NC
Wagbar, located in the Weaverville section of Asheville, is as low-key as the rest of Western North Carolina. Pet parents can hang out on stools or picnic tables enjoying craft and domestic beers, concessions like locally-made pretzels and a rotating cast of food trucks. Pups can romp on 25,000 square feet of play space, partially covered in grass and partially covered in wood chips. Guests are allowed to bring two dogs per person, and make sure to check Wagbar’s social media for breed meetups! Hey, it’s no surprise that Asheville is considered one of the most dog-friendly cities in the U.S.
2. Bar K
Kansas City, MO
Bar K can be found in Berkley Riverfront Park on the Missouri River in downtown Kansas City. The two-acre dog park is located outdoors, and small dogs have their very own play space! Repurposed shipping containers hold a restaurant and bar, serving cocktails, wine and beer. If alcohol isn’t your thing, you can also grab smoothies, juices or coffee at the Bar K coffeehouse. While food isn’t allowed in the dog park area, your leashed pup can join you on the patio or deck. Bar K’s pricing varies based on the day of the week and the number of dogs you bring, so you’ll want to check their website to plan your visit.
And, if you aren’t local, Bar K also has locations in St. Louis and Oklahoma City, too!
3. HopHounds Brew Pub and Dog Park
Mobile, AL
HopHounds Brew Pup and Dog Park is located in Mobile’s Church Street East Historic District. This 8,000-sq-feet off-leash play area features synthetic turf with lots of wooden ramps for pups to play on–and plenty of seating for pet parents to chill out while they play. An indoor pub offering over 50 craft beers and wines, as well as snacks like pimento cheese dip, burgers or hot dogs. And if the dogs don’t provide enough entertainment, HopHounds also has two 65″ TVs — one indoors and one outdoors — for watching the game.
4. The Dog Bar
St. Petersburg, FL
Located in St. Pete, The Dog Bar is a sports bar plus dog park that caters to every need. Maybe your dog would like to hang out in the 2,000-square-foot off-leash area with a bone-shaped pool (there are plenty of TVs for us humans, too). Or maybe your smaller pup would prefer the quiet area.
The patio area has lots of seating space and more than 20 TVs, which you can enjoy with your dog on a leash. Or there’s an off-leash game room where you and your pup can play pool, skeeball or darts. Okay, your dog isn’t going to play darts (damn the lack of opposable thumbs!), but you get the idea. The Dog Bar has seemingly endless beers on tap, as well as ciders, kombuchas, sodas and coffee.
5. Bark Bar
Little Rock, AR
Bark Bar is located in Little Rock’s SoMa/Quapaw neighborhood. The dog park, bar and restaurant feature indoor and outdoor off-leash spaces, including a brightly colored pet playground. An extensive menu includes half a dozen cocktail options, draft beers and nibbles like avocado toast.
For your furry friend, the Bark Bar offers an all-turf field, a climate-controlled dog park, several indoor and outdoor dog areas and plenty of park lighting to keep the fun going after dark. Membership plans for frequent visitors range from daily, monthly and annual rates.