Bar dogs are some of my favorite dogs. Once upon a time, we were graced with Jameson from Temple Bar, Stanley from Donovan’s, and Dearborn Brewing’s Calypso the Brewery Dog. Purebred or pure mutt, they’re a rare breed these days.
My dog Mack was raised in a bar. Every Saturday I can manage, I take him up to our favorite local Hamtramck watering hole, where he lollops along the bar rail, greeting his honorary aunties and uncles — especially his auntie Katie, the bartender. Another bartender, Mikey, proudly inscribed Mack’s growth chart from 12 weeks to two years in Sharpie on the green, wood-paneled walls. The bar is his happy place, where my extrovert of a golden retriever can greet every person who comes through the door, then fall asleep right in the middle of the floor.
Finding the right bar for your dog may take some work, though, since Michigan has strict laws regulating non-service dogs in restaurants. Pets are not allowed inside bars and restaurants that serve food, and patio restrictions vary by city ordinance. Still, there are plenty of outdoor spots to grab a quick sip with the pups during the dog days of summer. Here are just a few.
Note: Please make sure your dog is well behaved, on a leash, and vaccinated. Also, before venturing over, check with the venue to make sure pups are still welcome.
Barkside (Detroit and Southfield)
I call this the “country club,” and Mack absolutely adores it. On a sunny afternoon, there’s truly nothing better than gabbing with friends while sipping a spritz and watching a dozen or more dogs romp around together.
The Congregation (Detroit)
This former church turned community hub hosts regular gatherings for the Boston-Edison neighborhood and for those like me who trek in for coffee, tea, wine, and cocktails on the expansive grounds. I’m an especial fan of the summer farmers markets and the addition of The Rectory, a pizza spot next door.
Stadt Garten (Detroit)
Ordering a glass of Grüner from the walk-up window and wittering away on a sunny afternoon with a dog at my feet just feels so elegantly European, and this wine bar in a renovated Victorian home at Second and Alexandrine fits the bill.
Mootz and Side Hustle (Detroit)
Another killer Detroit pizza spot, Mootz, added a welcome extension with Side Hustle Lounge next door. Both have patios that welcome well-behaved pups. Mootz’s patio is heated and covered, too, in case the fractious Michigan weather acts up.
Ferndale Project (Ferndale)
What I love about this brewery space is … well, the space. Ferndale Project’s massive, wide-open patio is made for bigger groups to relax on a sunny afternoon. It’s an ideal gathering place for families and dogs.
Atwater in the Park (Grosse Pointe Park)
Atwater’s exterior is perfect for pups. The Bier Garten at this former church turned brewpub is so spacious and charming; it’s like stepping into another time. Lush greenery and seasonal flowers on the picnic tables lend an antiquated vibe to a summer pint.
This story originally appeared in the August 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
