Everything is better with your dog by your side, and a night out is no exception. D.C. has a bunch of places where you can have fun with your tail-wagging buddy. Here's a few worth checking out.
Happy Hours & Restaurants
Art and Soul (415 New Jersey Ave. NW): Upgrade from kibble for the night and treat your furry friend to a complete meal with Art and Soul's Pooch Patio Menu. The menu offers beef with gravy, sirloin, peanut-banana pupsicles, a frozen beef bone and nonalcoholic bowser beer.
Bar Civita (2609 24th St. NW): Let your dog sample from sirloin, Bowser Bacon with turkey and oats, frozen Frosty Paw treats and peanut butter oatmeal dog biscuits at Bar Civita. The Woodley Park restaurant that's just over a year old added a dog-friendly menu in June, so you can dine with your dog on the patio.
Cantina Marina (600 Water St. SW): Does your dog need another four-legged pal? Scope out some dogs up for adoption during a monthly event at Cantina Marina. Upcoming Yappy Hours on behalf of the Washington Animal Rescue League are July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Copperwood Tavern (4021 Campbell Ave., Arlington): Like many restaurants in Shirlington, Copperwood Tavern offers dog-friendly outdoor seating and water bowls for your fur kid. But this spot also offers dog treats, so your pet can snack while you dine. You can also show off your pooch in Copperwood Tavern's dog of the month contest at their Shirlington or Loudoun locations.
Jackson 20 (480 King St., Alexandria): No need to leave your dog at home while you unwind. You can take your pup to Jackson 20's patio for drinks and snacks at "Yappy Hour." The event lasts Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. between May and October.
The Scene
The most fun things to do and places to be in D.C., Maryland and Virginia
Special Events
Barktoberfest: A Purrfect Pet Celebration: Bring the family and your pet to Loudoun County Fairgrounds (17564 Dry Mill Road, Leesburg) for Barktoberfest. The day will feature live music, wine tasting, food, games for kids and dogs, vendors, pet contests and more from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 24. Go back at night for a GlowDOGGlow walk and race to support abandoned, abused or neglected animals.
Canine Cruise on the Potomac: Dogs ride free for an hour-long cruise on the Potomac River. The cruise departs from the Alexandria dock at 11 a.m. July 16, Aug. 13 and Sept. 24. You can also go Friday, Oct. 28 for "Bark or Treat" at 7 p.m. Tickets for a cruise are $16 for adults and $10 for kids 11 and younger.
Pet-A-Palooza: Bring your dog to Capitol Riverfront Sept. 18 for live music, contests and games, activities, adoptions and vendors. You can also check out a Barktoberfest, which will also give you access to food trucks and unlimited beer tastings. Tickets to Pet-A-Palooza (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) are $20, and tickets to Barktoberfest are $35. To raise money for the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League (WHS-WARL), you can also register for a mile walk with your dog.
Pups in the Park: Your dog can't fetch the grounders, but he or she can still enjoy watching the Nationals play. Bring your dog to the Family Picnic Area of Nats Park for Pups in the Park when the Nats take on the Phillies Sept. 8 or the Marlins Oct. 1. Tickets are $28 each for humans and $10 each for the four-legged fans (dog ticket proceeds go to WHS-WARL. Pets won't be allowed in other sections of the park, but you can leave your dog with pet sitters in the landing area if you need to pop out of your seat.
Woofstock: Release your inner hippie with your dog at the Washington Humane Society's Woofstock D.C. Come with your canine to the D.C. Pavilion for live music, craft beer, food trucks and an animal adoption event. The festival is Aug. 6 from 3 to 7 p.m.; you can register online to attend for free.
Doggie Desserts
Baked & Wired (1052 Thomas Jefferson St. NW): That's right, the popular Georgetown bakery also caters to your canine. Baked & Wired offers four flavors of homemade dog treats, called Zillabonez.
Bruster's Real Ice Cream (various locations): Stop by any Bruster's store with your pup and get a free Doggie Sundae. You can go to a Bruster's in Gaithersberg, Frederick, Vienna and other nearby locations.
Dairy Godmother (2310 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria): No need to eat your ice cream alone. The Dairy Godmother offers pumpkin- or banana-flavored Puppy Pops made from yogurt and peanut butter. If your dog doesn't dig ice cream, you can get them a baked treat, called "squirrels," instead. Just remember that dogs aren't allowed in the shop.
Dogma Bakery (2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington): Give your dog some variety by choosing a store-baked treat at Dogma Bakery, a bakery just for dogs in Shirlington. The treats contain no added salt, sugar or preservatives, and the bakery also offers special treats for holidays.
Pleasant Pops (1781 Florida Ave. NW): Let your dog cool off with a tasty treat from Pleasant Pops. The store's Puppy Pops, peanut butter and water mixed together and frozen, are available year-round.
