5 Dog-Friendly Bars in Raleigh Your Pup Should Visit

The City of Oaks in North Carolina is well-known for its dog-friendly activities and locations. There's no shortage of green spaces and walking paths, and unleashed doggos can find their bliss in the several dog parks dotting the city and its surroundings. 

Raleigh is also home to many bars, taverns, and breweries that welcome your fur baby if you’re interested in spending time around other friendly folks and pupsters. Some even invite your canine wingman inside to enjoy sitting at the bar, or your side while you play darts or an arcade game. Be sure to bring some dog wine or beer for your furry sidekick to enjoy while you sip beverages and munch on some great bar food.

It may be hard to choose which dog-friendly bar is right for you and Fido, but here are 5 that ought to be in the running!

Open for over 20 years, the Flying Saucer at 328 Morgan Avenue serves over 200 global beers, and loyal patrons boast it has the best beer selection in town. The tavern-like interior with its cozy furniture and bar seating is lovely and fun, but the real action is outside on the patio where dogs can hang out with their human besties. 

The Flying Saucer offers Tuesday Trivia and discounts on beer every night. The food menu is puptacular with pub food favorites like wings, pretzels and cheese fries, and heavier fare such as pizza, sandwiches and bratwurst. Fido will be happy to share some of their grub with you. Sometimes there is even live music from local artists. For a barking good time, head over to the Flying Saucer! 

Located in the industrial Warehouse District, the Boxcar Bar & Arcade is a lively hangout with an arcade bar to entertain casual or hardcore gamers. Along with air hockey, skee ball and pinball, there are more than 175 console and arcade games to enjoy with your furry friend beside you. 

For a quieter evening, head for the patio, or relax at the regular bar with Fido and enjoy their affordable beer, wine and cocktail menu. Pups are restricted to the patio after 9 PM on Friday and Saturday to guard them from being overwhelmed by the inside crowds.

The Boxcar doesn’t serve food, but patrons are welcome to bring some from home or their favorite local takeout restaurants. Just be sure to bring plasticware, napkins and plates along with the food. And an extra plate for Fido! Due to state laws regulating taverns that don’t serve food, Boxcar is a membership-only bar. But fear not: membership is free! Just show an ID for scanning and you’re in! (Fur babies are exempt). Special events include DJ music on the deck, daily specials and game tournaments.

Open since 2014, Clouds Brewing on NW West Street is a “German inspired, American made” bar that welcomes puppers to its spacious patio, where they can sip on some dog beer or wine while you enjoy the beverages Clouds has on offer. One of its unique features is the Down Pour Wall, where customers can serve up their own draft beers. Doggos are welcome on the patio, where they can meet new friends and share in the positive vibes. 

The food menu at Clouds is typical delicious bar fare such as wings, nachos and hot dips, along with burgers, brisket sandwiches and bratwurst. At brunch, it serves 3 different Eggs Benedict dishes along with creative brunch drinks that will tickle your taste buds. Brunch is offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Come for the daily discounted beers, or sample Clouds’ wine and cocktails. The WiFi is free and the atmosphere is laid back to hang out with good beer, good food and your furry bestie.

This family-owned, relaxed bar and bottle shop on Glenwood Avenue offers lots of dog-friendly outdoor seating and a comfy indoor bar where Fido is more than welcome. Offering 300 bottled and canned beers and 24 rotating beers on draft, the selection is furbulous! Ping pong is on the house, and a variety of food trucks visit every day from Tuesday through Sunday. 

House of Hops is known for its special events and activities too! From Tuesday Trivia, to “Bible and a Beer” on site and via Zoom, to “Canine Good Citizen” classes on Saturdays, there’s never a dull moment at Clouds. So get Fido’s leash and head over for a chilled out afternoon or evening to watch or participate in one of the activities while enjoying a delicious beverage. You’ll have a furtastic time!

The Raleigh Brewing Company at 3709 Neil Street invites dogs with their Pet Parents both inside and outside on the patio or deck. Open 7 days a week, Raleigh Brewing serves 32 beers on tap, including beverages with German, Belgian, Czech and Scottish influence. From lagers and ales, spiced beer for holidays, and oatmeal stouts, the Raleigh Brewing Company has you covered.

You and your loyal pup hungry? Food trucks deliver edibles every day that feature Italian, Latin, and American fare to share with your tail-wagging buddies.

With so many furbulous places to check out in Raleigh, you're sure to have a barking good time with your pup! For more puptastic info about everything dogs, check out Wag!