So a dog walks into a bar...
By: Sara Borzatta
Looking for a way to spend more time with your dog and still have a social life? Take a look at the best dog-friendly bars in San Francisco. Spend time with your pet while still enjoying a cold brew with your crew. Not a drinker? Not to worry. Try BarkHappy's App to find pet-friendly places and activities near you. But first, take a look at the best dog-friendly bars in San Francisco.
Bloodhound | 1145 Folsom St.
Fancy a whiskey with your best bud by your side? Try the Bloodhound in the SoMa neighborhood of San Francisco. Your dog will have a great time fixating on the birds painted across the ceiling of this joint. The dark lighting and pool table create a speakeasy kind of ambiance. Your pup might not be able to enjoy the cocktails and beer as much as you will, but at least he'll get to sniff up the smell of their bacon-infused whiskey.
Toronado | 547 Haight St.
With a huge selection of craft beers on tap, the Toronado is a dive bar with everything you need for an amazing night out on the town with your dog. Other than the extensive list of beers and the fact that it's dog-friendly, the Toronado offers a warm, people-loving crowd. So don't be afraid to talk up a storm with the beer-loving owners and introduce them to your four-legged friend.
SoMa StrEat Food Park | 428 11th St
Not quite a bar, but still a great place to grab food and drinks with your pup sitting happily by your side. The SoMa StrEat Food Park is an outdoor food truck pavilion with an array of food choices, from tacos and horchata, to Southern-style fried chicken. Have a beer while your pup people-watches and begs for food from adoring strangers. Make sure to check out the Yappy Hour for pups, which supports different non-profits for dogs. It's usually during the StrEat Brew Bar's happy hour (for humans) from 4-7p.m. on the first Friday of the month.
Holy Water | 309 Cortland Ave.
The cocktails at Holy Water change frequently so be ready to try something new, especially if you and your pup arrive at 11 p.m. Holy Water boasts a unique cocktail hour called the ‘Eleventh Hour' where you might be trying new spirits or flights of beer, but the most intriguing aspect of the Eleventh Hour is the notion that you can offer the bartender two ingredients you like, i.e. mint and Coke, and the expert mixologist will whip you up something new. So feel free to experiment with your furry wingman by your side.
Triple Voodoo Brewery & Tap Room | 2245 3rd. St.
Located in the historic Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco, the Triple Voodoo Brewery & Tap Room boasts an abundance of craft beers. Enjoy 16 rotating taps of craft beers, taster flights, and bar snacks with your four-legged bud by your side. Take your dog for a walk of the industrial neighborhood and then stop-in to Voodoo for a blend of Belgian and West Coast style brews.
Shotwells | 3349 20th St.
Bring your pup with you back in time at Shotwell's, a century old grocer-turned-saloon. Complete with a back bar that made it through the Prohibition era and bullet holes sprinkled across some of the original furnishings. Shotwell's is the real deal if you're looking for a historic, 1930s-decorated saloon for a night out in the Mission District. You can bring your pup and your own food, the owners don't mind!
El Rio | 3158 Mission St.
Looking for a community that loves your dog just as much as you do? Look no further than El Rio in the Mission. The crowd here is likely passionate about making the community a better place to live in, because that's just the vibe of this place. Opened as a gay bar by Brazilian founders in the 70s, El Rio maintains its flair even today. Your pup can accompany you for a trip through Vodka infused Bloody Marys. Friday and Saturday nights can be packed, so be careful with bringing your dog with the late night rowdy crowd, he might get smashed!
Churchill | 198 Church St.
The guys over at Churchill take their cocktails very seriously. If you're looking for decadent concoctions whipped up by expert mixologists, Churchill is where you, and your dog, need to be. The greatest thing about this place is obviously the fact that you can bring your pup, but the next best thing is the seasonal cocktails which change frequently to ensure fresh ingredients and a wide variety. The ambiance is likened to a 1940s canteen-style bar with modern touches.
Molotov's | 582 Haight St.
A local watering hole and a dive bar at it's core, Molotov's has nothing to prove to anyone. They pride themselves on being a no-frills, friendly bar with 80s-90s metal/punk music on the jukebox and pinball machines draped in dim lighting. Pull up a stool for yourself, and one for your pup, yeah he can sit at the bar if you like. Drinks are stiff and not expensive, so bring some food with you to wash it down.
Rogue Ales Public House | 637 Union St.
If you and the pup are hungry and looking to socialize, head over to Rogue Ales Public House in North Beach for a hearty meal and 40 different beers on tap. This pub's roots go back to 1980s Oregon, where the dream of a brewery started in a small Ashland basement. Now with multiple locations across Washington, Oregon and California, the Rogue movement has taken flight with specially handcrafted ales, porters, stouts, lagers and spirits. Enjoy the sunny patio with your pup and have a hearty beer and some kimchi fries.
The Homestead | 2301 Folsom St.
Reminiscent of a Victorian parlor, The Homestead is a vintage-themed neighborhood bar in the Mission. It's a relaxing place to grab a drink and some peanuts with your dog. Known for being cozy and classy while keeping the vibe unpretentious, your dog will love socializing with the other pups and the relaxed seating style. The bartenders take their jobs seriously and your cocktails are guaranteed to be heavy-handed.
Black Horse London Pub | 1514 Union St.
The Black Horse London Pub is a great place to go if you're flying solo with your dog for the night. This quaint bar is located in the Marina District and you'll feel like part of the family here. Claiming to be the smallest pub in San Francisco, the cozy atmosphere is the perfect place to chat with strangers and tell them all about your dog. They only serve beers, no food and no cocktails, but the beer selection changes frequently and is served right out of an old-fashioned, ice-filled bathtub!
Looking for pet-friendly bars elsewhere or need another pet-friendly service?
BarkHappy can show you the way to more pet-friendly locales in your area. Hopefully you can stay more connected to your pup, and your social life at these dog-friendly spots in San Francisco.
About the Author | Sara Borzatta
With a B.A. in journalism and an M.A. in tourism, Sara loves nothing more than writing and traveling, except animals. As the Content Manager at Whistle, she spends her days researching trends, creating content and playing with the office pups. As an avid country-hopper, her favorite thing about visiting new places is befriending stray animals and tasting exotic food.