Although the Seattle-King County Health Department allows only service animals inside “food establishments,” bar owners in Seattle have found a way to circumnavigate these regulations. In fact, there are at least 7 dog-friendly bars in Seattle where you and your pooch are welcome in the outdoor seating area (and in some places indoors as well but keep it shush).
Perihelion Brewery
2800 16th Ave. S
Photos by @perihelionbeer
North Beacon Hill is home to Perihelion Brewery which produces 18 craft beers and one sider. These numbers might not seem impressive but the quality gamut is mind-blowing, as you can try a craft beer with basil and pink guava (ABV 6.6% of alcohol) or their gold-medal-winning Belgian style triple (ABV 9%).
Their pet policy states that: “Well-behaved dogs and miniature pigs are allowed on the patio.” Joking aside, this means that you can enjoy beer or wine with Fido on the patio, next to a fire pit until 10 in the evening.
Voff Bark and Brew
9731 Greenwood Ave. N
Photos by @voffdogpark
The name of this Greenwood venue says it all: “Voff Dog Park is a bar made for dogs by dog people.” This 21 & over bar is more of a dog park, as pups are able to roam the spacious outdoor play area while their owners sip a beer.
The establishment offers more than 30 tap beers, as well as ciders, hard seltzers, and mimosas. However, entry is not free, as owners have to pay $12 for a single visit for the first dog, $10 for the second, and $6 for the third (the limit).
There are monthly memberships available and there is also a discount on pre-paid drinks. All animals should be at least 4 months old, males must be neutered, and female dogs in heat are not allowed.
Outlander Brewery and Pub
225 N. 36th St.
Photos by Ely P. (Yelp), Outlanderbrew (Facebook)
Although their brewery is small, the Outlander Pub is a great place to taste new beers and grab a bite with your pet dog. Their ales are hand-crafted and the taps change frequently as the management likes to experiment a lot (they hardly ever brew the same beer twice).
Apart from beer-tasting, you can relax in the backyard beer garden where dogs are welcome. Set in an old Victorian house, Outlander Pub often has live music events and private parties, as well as drinks specials (recently, they had $2 off on Growler fills).
9801 16th Ave. SW
Photos by Beer star (Facebook)
Apart from the Tacoma location further south, Beer Star has a location in the White Center neighborhood as well. The furthest location from downtown Seattle on our list, Beer Star is still an entire block within the local mobile vets service area. The bar has easy-to-remember open ours: every day (weekend included) from 3 PM to 10 PM.
The Beer Star features both a bottle shop and an impressive tap list that has everything from a German-style pilsner to an organic brown ale.
Since they don’t serve food in the taproom (Li’l Woody’s and Southside Pizza are the closest grub options), dogs are allowed inside and they even have their own play area. Beer lovers with families will be happy to know that kids are welcome inside as well.
460 N 36th St.
Photos by @normseatery
More a canine than a “hooman” bar, Norm’s Eatery and Ale House is where you’ll see the largest number of dogs indoors in the whole city! The trick to their success is laying down simple rules that help keep the Health Department away. These include the mandatory use of a dog leash, no barking, and forbidding the animal from eating off the plates on the table.
Conscientious dog owners find the full list of rules acceptable, so the place is usually packed for lunch specials from 11 AM to 3 PM. This Freemont pub also offers a dog menu that includes a Chicken or Beef Bow Wow Bowl for $6 and treats like chicken feet and beefy stixs.
5701 Rainier Ave. S
Photos by Tim T., Ted P. (Yelp)
Seattleites in search of hard-to-find beers usually track down the ale they wish to try at the Slow Boat Tavern near Seward Park. Some people find the plushy pink décor disturbing but it was the watering hole owner’s intention to make a lasting impression.
The tavern doesn’t serve any grub apart from instant ramen, so you ought to look up a dog-friendly Seattle restaurant if you feel peckish. On the other side, dogs are tolerated inside of the Slow Boat, although you should note that guests nonchalantly throw peanut shells on the floor.
820 NW 85th St.
Another Greenwood establishment, Lamplighter Public House is a laid-back pub with old pool tables to complete the décor. They allow dogs on the covered (and quite spacious) patio that is open every day until two in the morning.
Their most popular dishes are pub burgers, Thai chili wings, chicken tacos, pulled pork sliders, and fried pork rinds. Under the present management, The Lamp opened its doors in 2013 but the place had been in business since 2008. Their $5 happy hour burger is hard to beat!
Technically not allowed indoors, canines are still a common sight in countless Emerald City pubs. On the other side, not all dog-friendly bars in Seattle will show the same level of care for your four-legged friend, as some of the 7 bars we have listed offer water bowls and a dog menu.
FAQ
On paper, no but in reality, yes. Seattle-King County Health Department allows only service animals, i.e. “animals trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability” to enter food establishments. However, savvy bar owners have come up with ways to allow guests to bring in pet dogs if they behave (on a leash, responsive to controls, no barking, etc.).
The most popular dog-friendly breweries in Seattle include Perihelion Brewery, Outlander Brewery and Pub, Reuben’s Brews, Cloudburst Brewing, Bad Jimmy’s Brewing Co, etc.
