The number of NYC’s bars has been growing steadily at a 5% annual rate, so there is no shortage of watering holes in Brooklyn. However, not all bars are dog-friendly and even those that post the “pets welcome” sign in the window aren’t particularly thrilled you brought Fido along.
That’s why we’ve selected 10 bars in Brooklyn where you and your canine companion will truly feel welcome
The Gate
321 5th Ave
Photos by @thegatebrooklyn / Instagram
Located in Park Slope, The Gate presents the perfect combination of hard-to-find craft beers and a laid-back atmosphere. They have been in business since May 1997 and apart from the dim interior, they offer outdoor seating where dogs are more than welcome.
Dog owners who visit their patio can enjoy a rich selection of two dozen draft beers and many more canned and bottled beers. The Gate compiles a draught list each day and they organize trivia nights every Monday at 8 PM. They are open until 4 AM (except Sunday when they close at 2 AM).
Bar Toto
411 11th St.
Photos by @bartoto.brooklyn / Instagram
This Italian restobar has everything from pasta to cocktails. The weekend brunch menu served from 11 AM to 4 PM is especially alluring to patrons who like to share their meal with their dog. The brunch menu is diverse, as guests are offered everything from organic eggs to grilled pizza.
They offer curbside seating where dogs are welcome but only if they stay outside the gate and remain on a leash. On the positive note, the staff is super dog-friendly and will be happy to supply four-legged guests with water bowls.
N 11th Street Cookout
86 North 11th St.
Photos by Ray G., Sher Y. / Yelp
Ideal for large groups and day drinking, N 11th Street Cookout has one of the wackiest names out of all the pubs in Brooklyn. Operating from a once-vacant lot in Williamsburg, the bar is a popular spot to get Mexican street corn, burgers, and hotdogs.
The vast, open space and artificial turf (their motto is: “let us be your backyard”) are an open invitation to dogs that usually mingle around their owners’ feet. The house special is the “Dad Burger” which costs $6 or you can try Tacos from the new food menu.
Other Half Brewing
191 Centre St.
Photos by @kingsbierhaus /Instagram
Once you go two blocks from the Smith 9th subway station in Carroll Gardens, you reach Other Half Brewing. Their story began back in 2014 when three local entrepreneurs wanted to create authentic Brooklyn-brewed draft beer. As part of their mission, they welcome leashed dogs inside their taproom.
Although the Red Hook neighborhood is located in the east of Brooklyn, it is still well within the service area of local vets which covers the Erie Basin as well. Once safe and sound, Fido might want a sip of the brewery’s New England-style IPA.
Strong Rope Brewery
574 President St.
Photo by @strongropebrewery / Instagram
Another Red Hook taproom, Strong Rope Brewery is a family-run business that offers hand-crafted beers. Apart from 100% New York-sourced beer ingredients, they serve cider, spirits, and wine as well.
The pet policy at their newly-opened waterfront taproom in Brooklyn states that “well-behaved dogs are welcome” (as well as children). Once there, be sure to try amazing grain-to-glass brews, such as Amber Lager, Hazay IPA, and Oatmeal Stout.
Five Boroughs Brewing Co.
215 47th St.
Photos by @fiveboroughsbrewing / Instagram
From Belgian tripels to hazy IPAs, you can try them all at Five Boroughs Brewing Co. in Sunset Park. Their taproom has both indoor and outdoor seating and dogs are more than welcome in both spaces.
The 2,500 square-foot taproom is open Thursday through Sunday but they don’t serve food, although you are welcome to buy food at a nearby restaurant. If your dog has special dietary needs, then bringing food from home is also an option.
Five Leaves
18 Bedford Ave.
Photos by @fiveleavesny / Instagram
This Greenpoint bistro is conveniently located just a couple of steps to the north of McCarren Park, a dog-owners’ hotspot in Brooklyn. The food menu is American with an Australian twist, especially when it comes to their brunch menu that offers in-house baked croissants.
Expect crowds during peak hours (usually around midday) but this shouldn’t be a cause for concern, as you can play with your dog while you wait. The drinks menu is impressive as well, containing cocktails such as Petro Loa with rum & Campari or Spanish-styled Pazuzu Spritz.
Ten Hope
10 Hope St.
Photos by @tenhopebk / Instagram
A massive outdoor patio adorned with ivy: what more could dogs and their owners hope (pun intended) for! This is the décor at Ten Hope, a chill Mediterranean eatery in Williamsburg you can access directly from the street with your dog.
Once inside the open-air garden, be sure to try Greek Buttermilk Pancakes and Shakshuka with Flatbread. They run a special called “Bottomless Brunch” which is served on Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM to 4 PM and comes with access to an open bar for an hour and a half, costing only $25.
The Breakers
307 Meeker Ave.
Photos by The Breakers, Madison R. / Yelp
Located at the place where Battery Harris used to be, The Breakers is a “laidback surf/skate/disco” serving the local beer-thirsty Williamsburg community. The spacious garden offers plenty of seating where you can savor cocktails and tacos alongside your pup.
They take pride in their authentic kitchen that can produce top-quality burgers, fries, sandwiches, and tacos. In summer, they do specials, such as The Surf Platter made from seafood. They are open from 4 PM to 4 AM during workdays and on weekends they open two hours earlier.
Forrest Point
970 Flushing Ave.
Photos by @forrestpoint / Instagram
Situated in the working-class neighborhood of Bushwick, Forrest Point is the place to go if you want to taste craft cocktails. As the bar’s name suggests, their garden does resemble a forest, so Fido will be tempted to chase after a squirrel.
The spot is ideal for a casual workday lunch. The daily and brunch menu features Middle-Eastern cuisine, their signature roasted eggplant sandwich with halloumi cheese, and Valrhona ganache s’mores with toasted marshmallows. Delicious!
Whether it’s an Italian eatery-cum-bar or a brewery’s taproom, Brooklyn doesn’t lack bars that welcome dogs. Some of them are conveniently located near parks with dog runs, so owners shouldn’t have a hard time finding the watering hole to their (and their canine’s) taste.
