Being a San Diego dog walker or dog runner is pretty much the best job in the world. The San Diego weather is 75 and sunny most of the time, so it's always lovely to take a stroll. Plus, our our dog walkers and runners are constantly moving – working up a sweat and burning those calories (which makes it much easier to justify drinking so much). At the same time, we are constantly exploring our favorite San Diego neighborhoods on foot with our dog pack by our side. We definitely notice when a new bar or restaurant pops up, and we especially appreciate when there's a bowl of water outside for our pack. We visit these dog friendly bars in San Diego during our routes, and of course we circle back with our own dogs when we're off the clock. Because what’s better than a cold glass at your lips and a cold nose on your leg? Nothing, that’s what.
If you've never been, San Diego is quickly becoming the Napa of beer. There are over 40 craft beer breweries for you to try, and it seems like a new brew master is born every day, especially around the uptown neighborhood of North Park. So if you and Fluffy are thirsty in North Park, check out our favorite dog-friendly bars:
The North Park-tasting room of the Vista-based brewery has a great set-up, with garage-style windows and bar stools along the front for people-watching as you drink. You can’t go wrong with most of their standard beers, but you should definitely also try some of their experimental brews (which range from pumpkin spice stout to cilantro IPA) available in limited quantities. And your dog will thank you if you order a Crazee Burger from next door (they will deliver right to your barstool!).
Beers we recommend:
- Hop Hwy IPA
- Peanut Butter Milk Stout (try it as a float)
- Me So Honey – Honey Wheat Ale
Where to find it:
4223 30th St., San Diego (between El Cajon and Howard St., next to Crazee Burger)
Hours:
5:00 – 10:00PM Monday –Tuesday
3:00 – 10:00PM Wednesday – Thursday (Trivia night on Thursdays!)
3:00PM – 12:00AM Friday
12:00PM – 12:00AM Saturday
12:00PM – 10:00PM Sunday
Just walking inside is cool – you enter on catwalks and can look down at the tanks and fermenters below. Hess frequently hosts food trucks on their back patio, and they have a collection of board and card games for customers. Oh, and the beers are pretty damn good too. You’ll find way more variety than is typical for San Diego breweries – styles range from a super-light Kolsch to thick oatmeal stouts. Try a tasting flight – you’ll get a free pint glass, and when you bring it on Monday nights, you can get any beer for $4!
Beers we recommend:
- North Park IPA (seasonal, available October – March)
- Grazias Vienna Cream Ale
- Habitus Rye India Pale Ale
Where to find it:
3812 Grim Ave., San Diego
Hours:
12:00 – 10:00PM Sunday – Thursday
12:00PM – 12:00AM Friday – Saturday
At Poor House, you'll find that friendly neighborhood dive bar where beer is served in mason jars. It’s a little farther north on 30
th, debatably in the next neighborhood, University Heights, but you wouldn't get 86'd for calling it North Park. Poor House serves their own delicious brews, as well as rotating handles of other local and not-local craft brews. You can play shuffleboard, pool, or beer pong (hopefully your dog won’t try to chase the ping-pong balls!). They’ve got a stash of dog treats behind the bar, plus peanuts and pretzels for humans – just ask! One word of warning: in true dive fashion, they are a cash-only bar.
Beers we recommend:
- Belgian Ale
- American Strong Ale
- IPA Experimental Batch #6 (or whatever # they’re on)
Where to find it:
4494 30th Street, San Diego
Hours:
2:00PM – 12:00AM Monday – Wednesday
2:00PM – 1:00AM Thursday
12:00PM – 2:00AM Friday – Saturday
12:00PM – 12:00AM Sunday (opens at 10:00AM during football season, though)
Oh man, what can you say about Tiger!Tiger!? First, your dog is welcome to hang on the patio, which is big, has plenty of seating, and north-facing (read: shaded). Second, you have to try their Sunday brunch. Have. To. Third, it’s got the same owners as Blind Lady Ale House (just a mile away, in Normal Heights), so you’ll find Automatic Brewing Co. beers here. Fourth, it has one of those trendy “foodie” menus full of fresh, local, organic, seasonal produce. So you can rest assured knowing your lettuce lived a good life and was humanely raised. Fifth and finally, it’s been named one of America’s best beer bars for two years in a row. What are you waiting for? RAWR!
Beers we recommend:
- Yeah, their tap list changes too often. Try just about anything.
Where to find it:
3020 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego
Hours:
Closed Monday
5:00PM – 12:00AM Tuesday – Thursday
11:30AM – 1:00AM Friday – Saturday
10:30AM – 12:00AM Sunday
This beer bar just opened up a couple months ago, but you will be impressed. It’s got a good-sized, dog-friendly patio and the same Modern Times beers that San Diegans have been fawning over for the past couple years. The funky retro décor gets more surreal the more you drink, from the bar made of VHS tapes, to the ceiling of lamp shades, to the wall mural of floppy disks. They’ve got 16 taps with their “core” beers, plus some experimental brews that rotate regularly. You can also get growlers filled or buy some Modern Times coffee beans (coffee and beer? Brilliant). And if you get hungry, you’re can bring food from one of the dozen amazing restaurants within stumbling distance.
Beers we recommend:
- Fortunate Islands Wheat
- Black House Stout
- Lomaland Saison
Where to find it:
3000 Upas St., San Diego (on the corner of Upas and 30th St.)
Hours:
12:00 – 10:00PM Sunday – Thursday
12:00PM – 12:00AM Friday – Saturday
Okay, that's our list! So if you want to enjoy a delicious beer in North Park without leaving your dog at home, this will get you started. Leave a comment if you have other favorites we didn't mention here, or if you want the run down on another San Diego neighborhood. Cheers!