One of America’s oldest cities has gone to the dogs – literally – with a host of pooch-positive venues popping up in the Boston area, including bars. But how do you know the right fit for you and your floof?
We’ve got you covered! We’ve put together a list of the best dog-friendly bars in Boston and shared some tips for making your visit a howling success below.
15 Best Dog-Friendly Bars in Boston
As one of the best cities for dogs, it’s not surprising to find an abundance of contenders for the best dog-friendly bars in Boston. Check out our top picks for four-footer-friendly drinking holes, ranging from casual canine haunts to swanky sniffer lounges.
1. Bell in Hand Tavern
About: Furry friends are welcome to join in the fun at this Boston bar staple, proudly pouring since 1795. Cold beer is on tap, but the real star is this stop’s food menu, with dishes like the classic lobster roll, crispy haddock sandwich, and arugula salad.
Address: 45-55 Union Street, Boston, MA 02108
Phone Number: (617) 227-2098
Website: https://thebellinhand.com/
Special Notes:
- Open daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM
- Check the events calendar for live music, as it can be too loud for some sniffers
2. Roundhead Brewing Company
About: Bring your pup to this Hyde Park haunt’s outdoor seating area while you sample locally-made brews, including sours, dark ales, and lagers. The offerings range from year-round favorites to seasonal finds with fruity notes like guava and dry cherries.
Address: Westinghouse Plaza Building #10, Hyde Park, MA 02136
Phone Number: (617) 360-7070
Website: https://roundheadbrewing.com/
Special Notes:
- Open 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Wednesday and Thursday, 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM Friday, 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM Saturday, and 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday
- Closed Monday and Tuesday
3. The Pour Yard
About: Cruise down to Quincy to visit the enclosed pooch-friendly patio of this bar and eatery, featuring an herb garden with real herbs used in the menu’s craft cocktails. You can also indulge in beers on tap, plus barkin’ good bites like quesadillas, tacos, and flatbreads.
Address: 210 Washington Street, Quincy, MA 02169
Phone Number: (617) 481-9667
Website: https://thepouryard.com/
Special Notes:
- Open Thursday to Sunday from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Closed Monday to Wednesday
4. Trillium Brewing Company
About: This barker-friendly beer garden is hoppin’ with fun, from drafts on tap to a rotation of food trucks offering a variety of incredible eats. The impressive slate of beers offered include hoppy, roasty, sour, and crisp options, or you can sip on a fruity hard seltzer if that’s more your jam.
Address: Atlantic Avenue & High Street, Boston, MA 02110
Phone Number: (857) 449-0083
Website: https://trilliumbrewing.com/pages/greenway
Special Notes:
- Open 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Tuesday, 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM Wednesday and Thursday, 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday, and 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Sunday
- Well-mannered, leashed doggos are welcome at all Trillium locations in the city
5. The Anchor
About: Venture to this woof-friendly wine and beer garden with your doggo for fun, fresh air, and fabulous drinks, including boozy brews and non-alcoholic refreshers like lemonade. Check out the water views and watch for rotating food offerings from local restaurants.
Address: 1 Shipyard Park, Charlestown, MA 02129
Phone Number: (617) 286-2404
Website: https://theanchorboston.com/
Special Notes:
- Open Monday and Tuesday from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM and Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM (hours are seasonal!)
- Live music nights may be too noisy for some dogs
6. Night Shift Brewing
About: Explore this Everett brewing company’s craft creations with your canine at their outdoor, pup-friendly taproom. Featuring artificial turf, plenty of picnic tables, and pops of color, this happy hideaway’s best enjoyed on warmer days while you sample the menu of beer, wine, and cocktails.
Address: 87 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Phone Number: (617) 294-4233
Website: https://nightshiftbrewing.com/locations/everett/
Special Notes:
- Open Monday to Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, Thursday from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Check the social calendar for barker-friendly events (and noisy ones you may want to skip with your sniffer!)
7. Break Rock Brewing
About: Well-behaved, licensed, and leashed pups are permitted in the taproom of this Quincy brewery. This drinking hole has an ever-changing list of local brews on tap, as well as seltzers, wines, and cider offerings to tempt your tastebuds.
Address: 534 Victory Road, Out On Boardwalk, Quincy, MA 02171
Phone Number: (617) 481-0019
Website: https://www.breakrockbrewing.com/
Special Notes:
- Open Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Thursday from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Friday and Saturday from 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM, and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Closed Monday and Tuesday
- Check the events calendar for dog-friendly gatherings like Spoil Your Dog Day
8. Far From the Tree Cider
About: Slip off to Salem with your sniffer to try something new at this woof-welcoming cider house. Their hard ciders are made with Massachusetts-grown apples that are fermented in oak barrels until ready to serve, creating a memorable taste.
Address: 102-108 Jackson Street, Salem, MA 01970
Phone Number: (978) 224-2904
Website: http://www.farfromthetreecider.com/
Special Notes:
- Open Monday to Thursday from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Friday from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM, Saturday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Year-round and seasonal ciders are available
9. Cambridge Brewing Company
About: Cruise to Cambridge with your canine and catch a cold craft beer at this brewing spot’s dog-friendly patio, including tap, canned, and bottled varieties. You’ll want to sink your teeth into mouth-watering menu options, too, like the smashed double patty burger and tuna poke bowl that your dog’ll love to eyeball.
Address: 1 Kendall Square, Bldg 100 Cambridge, MA
Phone Number: (617) 494-1994
Website: https://www.cambridgebrewingcompany.com/
Special Notes:
- Open Monday to Thursday from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Check the brewing company’s events calendar to avoid peak times that can be too hectic for some hounds
10. The Yard at Liberty Hotel
About: Venture to the Liberty Hotel’s famous private outdoor space for a tail-wagging evening with pawed pals during Yappier Hour – a special weekly event that’s held a portion of the year. Cocktails, live music, and mutt meetups are on the agenda, making it an excellent stop for social butterfly barkers.
Address: 215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114
Phone Number: (617) 224-4000
Website: https://libertyhotel.com/
Special Notes:
- Yappier Hour is held every Wednesday at 5:30 PM from summer to the end of October
- Always check the forecast and call ahead, as inclement weather may cancel the week’s planned furry festivities
11. Stats Bar and Grille
About: The pooch-friendly patio of this South Boston stop has picnic tables with umbrellas, letting you and your barker relax in the shade while sipping on your favorite drink. Beverage options include seltzers, drafts, wine, and cocktails, plus you can indulge in kitchen creations like grilled fish tacos, the chicken pesto panini, and nachos.
Address: 77 Dorchester Street, South Boston, MA 02127
Phone Number: (617) 268-9300
Website: https://www.statsboston.com/
Special Notes:
- Open weekdays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM and weekends from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Can get a little rowdy during sporting events
12. Cambridge Common
About: Beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails are waiting at this Boston bar’s dog-friendly patio, but be sure to pop in ASAP if you spot a favorite brew on the menu, as the bar’s offerings rotate! The food’s nothing to sneeze at either, with everything from fried pickles to steak fajitas to dig into.
Address: 1667 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone Number: (617) 547-1228
Website: https://cambridgecommonrestaurant.com/
Special Notes:
- Open 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM Monday and Tuesday, 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM Wednesday to Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM Sunday
- Live music can be too loud for some pooches
13. Baramor
About: The pooch-welcoming patio of this bar is only the tip of the pawesome iceberg, as this business also hosts events benefiting barkers. Spoil your sniffer with a pupsicle from their dog-friendly menu before you unwind with a serving of beer, bourbon, or any number of other spirits.
Address: 45 Union Street, Newton Center, MA 02459
Phone Number: (617) 202-6718
Website: https://www.baramornewton.com/
Special Notes:
- Open daily from 11:30 AM to 1:00 AM
- Baramor donates $5 from every dog-friendly menu purchase to Jr’s Paws for a Cause charity
14. Five Horses Tavern
About: The four-footer-friendly outdoor space of this South End tavern’s the place to be for fresh air, tasty eats, and great drinks with your dog. Snack on slammin’ starters like cast iron cornbread and onion rings, or munch on main entrees, then wash them down with drafts, cocktails, wine, and more!
Address: 535 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
Phone Number: (617) 936-3930
Website: https://www.fivehorsestavern.com/boston/
Special Notes:
- Bar hours are 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM Sunday
- Visitor parking is available on the odd-number side of Columbus Avenue with a strict 2-hour limit between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday
Don’t limit yourself to barker-welcoming bars. Check out our list of dog-friendly activities in Boston. Make those muttastic memories!
15. Brendan Behan Pub
About: Pop over to this pooch-friendly pub with your best fur friend and enjoy a refreshing drink indoors! The drink mix is a collection of bottles, cocktails, and wine, plus a seasonal roster of draft beers to sip.
Address: 378 Center Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Phone Number: (617) 522-5386
Website: https://www.brendanbehanjp.com/
Special Notes:
- Open daily from 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Live music every Saturday starting at 5:30 PM (might be too loud for some pups!)
Need a more substantial snack? Check out Boston’s best dog-friendly restaurants!
Ways to Rock Your Rover Bar Visit
Haven’t gone to a bar yet with your best fur friend? No worries! We’ve retrieved the top tips for making your trip a success.
Start your dog-friendly bar outing off on the right paw by:
- Ensuring a bar’s the best place for your dog: Your pup’s personality isn’t guaranteed to be a perfect match with a bar visit, as public spaces can be loud and unpredictable. If your dog has anxiety or is selective of people or other pooches, skip the bar for a solo adventure, such as enjoying non-alcoholic dog beer in your backyard.
- Double-checking your dog’s shot records: Most areas require your pup to have a current rabies vaccination, but public spaces like dog-friendly bars can also harbor other contagious illnesses, like distemper and parvo, warranting preventative vaccination. Ask your vet which vaccines your dog might need, as some dogs may need more protection than others.
- Implementing a pest control plan: The last thing you need after a night out is hairy hitchhikers like fleas and ticks. Worse, mosquitoes risk infecting your pooch with heartworms. Avoid these biting bugs with year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
- Tighten up training basics. Mastering basic obedience commands like “sit” and “down” and learning loose leash walking skills are musts before venturing to a bar with your pupperino. This includes nipping problem behaviors in the bud, such as nuisance barking or jumping.
- Checking the weather: Many of the best dog-friendly bars in Boston only allow pooches within outdoor areas, which doesn’t always mesh with the city’s climate. While some patios have heaters, they aren’t sufficient for every pup, making a dog sweater a must. Also, amid Boston’s winter, you’ll likely encounter salted roads and sidewalks, which aren’t always paw-safe, so dog shoes may be a good idea too.
- Exercising your dog in advance: Go for a long walk or visit one of the best dog parks in Boston with your pup before heading to the bar, as a wound-up woof with boundless energy isn’t someone you’ll want to relax with. The best canine enrichment activities for tiring your terrier involve his body and brain, like walking games.
- Offering your pup bathroom breaks: Let your dog do his business before entering the bar, and walk him again every hour or so you’re hanging out, especially if he’s drinking a lot of water or eating.
- Watching your alcohol intake: Grabbing a drink with your hound isn’t the time to get hammered. Limit yourself and sip slowly to remain clear-headed, as your dog’s your responsibility and relying on you to make it home safely.
- Not driving drunk: While obvious, it still needs to be said: Don’t get behind the wheel buzzed – with or without your woofer. Call a cab or friend for a safe ride home.
- Keeping your canine on a leash: Leashing your dog is the law in most places. Short leashes work best in public areas, but some owners enjoy the versatility of multi-function dog leads. Ensure your dog’s leash is attached to a quality collar or harness bearing dog ID tags with current contact information, just in case he slips away.
- Respecting other patrons’ space: Drinking with a dog isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time, so keep your cutie corralled and don’t allow him to beg from or bark at other patrons. Keeping places pup-friendly means having your mutt’s manners shine for all to see.
- Cleaning up after your pupperoni: It goes without saying that you must scoop your dog’s poop, so pack plenty of disposable poo bags. Don’t toss these away in trash cans near the seating area, either!
- Not sharing table scraps with your floof: Human food is often much higher in salt and fat than a standard doggo diet, leading to serious tummy trouble in pups, including diarrhea. Worse, some dishes may contain toxic ingredients for dogs, like onion, garlic, and macadamia nuts. If there isn’t a designated dog-safe menu at a bar, skip human food entirely with your barker.
- Bringing treats: Don’t leave your pupperino out of the fun of indulging while out at a bar. Pack some of his favorite snacks, like jerky treats or a Himalayan yak cheese to keep him engaged. He’s sure to thank you with a tail wag!
Have you visited any of our best dog-friendly bars in Boston picks? Is there another hound-happy spot you frequent with your four-footer in the city? Share with us in the comments! We’d love to hear about your doggy adventures around the area.
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