New Orleans has long gone to the dogs. We celebrate our four-legged friends with parades, canine Carnival fashion shows, weenie dog races at the Fairgrounds and a very familiar blue canine can be seen in art and sculptures all over town.
Here’s our top picks for doggone treats, snacks and to-go-cups that reward people and pets alike.
BAYOU BEER GARDEN
Booze Hounds
Pet-friendly happy hours (and more) around NOLA
Café Adelaide, Swizzle Stick Bar
300 Poydras Street,CafeAdelaide.com
Café Adelaide hosts “Yappy Hour” in the Swizzle Stick Bar each first Thursday of the month, an event that coincides with “Neighborhood Night” (held weekly.)
Happy Hour: Pricing starts at 3 p.m. and is extended for Yappy Hour from 6 to 8 p.m. with drink specials and upscale finger food, such as shrimp & Tasso corn dogs and lemon, thyme & Parmesan fries.
Pet treats: Flavored water for dogs and special treats are available for all canine besties. Café Adelaide also often partners with local pet organizations, such as Zeus’ Place or the SPCA, to host special Yappy Hour events.
House of Blues
225 Decatur Street,HouseofBlues.com/NewOrleans
The House of Blues’ shady, covered courtyard Voodoo Garden is a perfect retreat from the heat for people and pups. Outdoor dining is available starting each day at 11:30 a.m.
Happy hour is Monday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m. Live music is also available Friday though Sunday starting at noon, and crawfish on Fridays starting at 4 p.m.
Dat Dog
5030 Freret Street; 3336 Magazine StreetDatdog.com
Dogs are welcomed at Dat Dog’s Freret Street and Magazine Street locations, with plenty of outdoor seating in colorful courtyards adorned with all kinds hot dogs.
Happy Hour is from 4-7p.m. Monday through Friday, with half off well drinks, specials on draft beers, and a select menu of $5 hot dogs.
Pet treats: ​ Water bowls and Milkbone treats are available for canine friends looking to celebrate Happy Hour as well.
The Bulldog
3236 Magazine St., 5135 Canal Blvd.Bulldog.draftfreak.com
With two locations in New Orleans, Uptown and in Mid-City, the Bulldog brags about having the finest dog-friendly patio in town, and many dog lovers agree.
Happy Hour is Monday through Friday, 2 to 7 p.m. with 50 cents off pints, $1 off pitches, $3.50 house wines and double mixed drinks for the price of a single.
Pub grub, such as loaded nachos, wings, sandwiches and burgers, will have dogs and people alike drooling for more.
Twelve Mile Limit
500 S. TelemachusFacebook.com/twelve.mile.limit
This Mid City watering hole has always welcomed friendly furry, four-legged friends along with their human friends. Special events such as charity bingo night, occasional crawfish boils and dance parties are always being added to the schedule, so be sure to check the bar’s social media for updates.
Happy Hour pricing on drinks is available weeknights 5-7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 3-5 p.m. with $1 off all specialty cocktails, well spirits, house wine.
Pet treats: The bartenders may have free dogs treats and snacks, but get ‘em while you can because they often run out.
Bayou Beer Garden and Bayou Wine Garden
326 N. Jefferson Davis ParkwayBayouBeerGarden.com 315 N. Rendon
BayouWineGarden.com
All dogs are welcome to the outside patios of the Beer and Wine Gardens. With a huge selection of beer and wine on tap, this location, near the Lafitte Greenway makes for an excellent stop on a walk.
Burgers and bar food on one side, cheese plates and hors d’oevres on the wine side. Specials include $5 glasses of wine all day, every day; happy hour Monday through Friday 11:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Be prepared. Bring a small water bowl and waste bags, even if you think there may be one available.
IKE'S SNOWBALLS
Fetch
Canine-friendly Cafés and Snowballs
Ike’s Snowballs
520 City Park AvenueIkessnowballs.com
The best way to beat the heat is with a frozen treat. Ike’s Snowballs features standard ice cold snow-balls and ice cream stuffed creations, as well as savory snacks.
Don’t miss: Special meat-flavored snowballs for true hot dogs.
Plum Street Snoballs
1300 Burdette Streetfacebook.com/Plum-Street-Snoballs
Plum Street patrons are welcome to pop by with their pups for a treat. Pets love to chomp down on soft ice, especially on hot days, and sometimes with a splash of fruit flavor too boot.
The Station
4400 Bienville
TheStation.coffee
The Station will fuel up your caffeine and refreshment needs with a wide selection of coffee, tea and juices, as well as small batch baked pastries, breakfast and lunch treats and dessert. Pups are welcome in the outdoor patio with plenty of places to perch while enjoying breakfast or afternoon treat.
Don’t miss: Free freshly baked dog treats are on hand, er paw, for the canine crew; also available for purchase in packages of six.
Bearcat Café
2521 Jena StreetBearcatCafe.com
Sit and stay a while on Bearcat’s pet friendly porch with water bowls available for canine refreshment.
Breakfast, brunch and lunch are the highlights of this Freret Street adjacent café, with options for both clean eating, such as house made yogurt Portobello philly sandwich, and splurging, think brisket hash and hot fried chicken.
Pet treat: Bearcat is currently working on a gluten-free dog treat, so stay tuned.
THE STATION
Start out during off-peak hours to get your dog used to patios, cafes and pubs.
BRIEUX CARRE BREWING
Brew Dogs
Dog friendly taprooms and pubs
Brieux Carre Brewing
2115 Decatur Street,BrieuxCarre.com
Pups are always welcome in the beer garden at Brieux Carre Brewing, which has a wide array of special and seasonal brews, from IPAs, wheat beers, blondes, ales and more. There’s a refreshing pint for every palate.
Pet treats: Plastic baggies and fresh water are always available for doggie visitors.
Urban South Brewing
1645 Tchoupitoulas StreetUrbanSouthBrewery.com
Dogs are welcome. There aren’t special treats, but have water bowls available. Thursdays feature some of the best crawfish in town, on Fridays has a rotating food vendor, Saturdays features the Afrodisiac food truck, Sundays The Quesadilla Truck, and on Tuesdays the T2 Vietnamese Street Food and Trivia Night.
Port Orleans Brewing Co.
4124 Tchoupitoulas StreetPortOrleansBrewingCo.com
With a cool, dog friendly patio, six signature brews, and gourmet pub food available from the attached sister restaurant Stokehold, this Tchoupitoulas Street is a new favorite happy hour on the New Orleans brewpub scene.
Second Line Brewing
433 N. Bernadotte StreetSecondlineBrewing.com
Family and pet friendly, Second Line Brewing prides itself on pairing with local community non-profits, teams up with local farmers to reuse and recycle the brewery’s spent grain, and features Industry Night every Monday, with $1 off draft pints after 4 p.m., movie nights and more. Now that’s a beer-resume to be doggone proud of.
Know your dog and take cues for when she or he is ready to go, feels nervous or needs attention.
THE LEVEE DOG PARK
Go Take a Walk
Dog parks and runswhere a go-cup is (almost) always welcome
NOLA City Bark
30 Zachary Taylor Drive, City ParkNewOrleansCityPark.com
Located in City Park, NOLA City Bark is a 4.6 acre field of fun for furry friends. Entrance requires a permit for all dogs, with yearly and visitor passes available, and can be obtained through the City Park Administration Building, 1 Palm Drive. Daily, 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed until 1 p.m. on Tuesdays for maintenance)
Highlights: Open run and separate play areas for big and small dogs; water fountains for dogs and humans; shaded areas; mutt mitts for clean-up; restrooms.
No!: Children under the age of 8 are not allowed in the dog park; no food or drinks are allowed inside the park, so be sure to save your go-cups for a walk around the lagoon.
Nearby: All of City Park for owners and on-leash dogs to roam, play, and more.
Crescent Park Dog Run
3800-3898 Chartres StreetA new addition to the Marigny’s Crescent Park is the Crescent Park Dog Run, a place for dogs and dog lovers to run and catch
a breeze along the riverfront.
Highlights: Off-leash, fenced in dog run known for its cleanliness and upkeep .
No!: All dogs must be leashed when outside of the designated dog park fenced area.
Nearby: Piety Street Art Market (second Saturday of every month at the Old Ironworks); plenty of restaurants and bars that offer refreshment, snacks and to-go cups, which are allowed (please no glass bottles).
Wisner Dog Park
4877 Laurel StreetLocated Uptown and open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., this neighborhood friendly gathering spot can get full of frolicking fun, as well as a bit muddy at times, but is a great place for dogs and people watching and chatting.
No!: Be sure to bring waste bags and clean up after your pup, as bags are not provided.
Nearby: Grits Bar, adjacent to Wisner Park, sells go-cups, with many swearing by the happy hour margaritas; Surrey’s is also nearby and offers breakfast and freshly squeezed juice for early birds on morning walks.
The Levee Dog Park
Leake Avenue adjacent to The FlyLocated along the levee from The Fly to just beyond Broadway, this well-worn unofficial dog park and path has been a favorite for dog lovers for years. Adventurous explorers can walk down to the river’s edge and watch passing ships, but be sure to use caution and do not enter the water at any time.
No!: Dogs should be supervised at all times; be on the lookout for passing trains, riders on horseback and cyclists .
Nearby: Riverbend bars and daiquiri shops can provide take-out refreshment; Audubon Zoo and Park are a stone’s throw away with restrooms and water fountains for humans and dogs.
Doggie Etiquette
Tips on taking your dog out for a drink
- Feed them first. Dogs will naturally be curious about what you are drinking or eating, but less so if they already have a full tummy.
- Tire them out with a vigorous walk. A well-exercised dog is more likely to settle and stay calm in a social environment.
- Bring a favorite toy to chew on or something to keep them busy or distracted.
- Make sure your dog is leashed at all times.
- Always ask permission before allowing your dog near another dog or person.
- Know the rules and stick to areas where dogs are allowed.
