Celebrate National Dog Day on these Twin Cities patios

Give your pup some extra attention at these Minneapolis-St. Paul restaurants, breweries and coffee shops.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
August 26, 2024 at 8:35PM
Mika the Golden Doodle waits patiently in her seat on the Hola Arepa dog-friendly patio in Minneapolis May 9, 2015. (Courtney Perry)
Mika the golden doodle waits patiently in her seat on the Hola Arepa dog-friendly patio in Minneapolis. (Courtney Perry) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Any day is a great one to give your pup some extra love, whether that’s a delicious treat or trip to a favorite dog-friendly patio. But Monday is National Dog Day, so what are you waiting for?

More public destinations than ever welcome dogs, but Mary Tan of Whisker Media, a Minnesota pet public relations firm, looks especially for patios where there is a good amount of space between each table for her furry friend. Tan also likes to stay off to the side near a wall, if available.

“I love that everything is pet-friendly, but you still need to be respectful of people who have allergies or people who don’t like dogs,” Tan said.

Tan keeps a close eye on her pet, especially on hot days like Monday, with temperatures reaching toward 90. A cooling pad for a pup to lie on is a necessary tool in a pet owner’s kit, even in Minnesota, she said.

“It’s just way too hot, especially if you have a big, fluffy dog,” Tan said. “If you’re going to take your animal to a dog-friendly patio or something, be an advocate for them.”

Pet friendly patios in the Twin Cities

1. Utepils Brewing

The creekside Minneapolis brewery has lots of room for patrons and their furry friends.

2. Tavern on France

The restaurant patio in Edina has ample space for pets.

3. Wooden Ship Brewing

Dogs are allowed on the patio and inside the Linden Hills taproom in Minneapolis.

4. Brunson’s Pub

The hangout on St. Paul’s Payne Avenue features a “secret” back dog entrance to the ivy-covered patio.

5. Canteen

Canteen Coffee in Minneapolis’ South Uptown neighborhood even passes out treats to good pups.

6. Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room

Stanley’s is one of six west metro-based Craft and Crew restaurants which each feature dog friendly “paw-tios” and three-course meals for dogs.

7. Inbound BrewCo

Inbound allows dogs inside and out. The North Loop site even has water dishes available behind the bar.

8. Hola Arepa

Their shady patio in Minneapolis is dog-friendly.

9. Dogwood Coffee

The northeast location has a large patio to spread out with your dog and a cup of coffee.

10. St. Paul Brewing

This enormous East Side St. Paul patio and beer garden includes a nearby grassy relief area.

Staff writers Joy Summers and Anna Boone contributed to this report.

about the writer

Zoë Jackson

Reporter

Zoë Jackson is a general assignment reporter for the Star Tribune. She previously covered race and equity, St. Paul neighborhoods and young voters on the politics team.

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