You may not know this, but sometimes your dog wants to join in on happy hour or slurp an ice cream on hot summer days, too.
We've compiled the best places to bring your dog in D.C., Maryland and Virginia for that special summer snack.
Treats and Happy Hours:
1. Art and Soul (415 New Jersey Ave. NW)
Not only is this restaurant pet-friendly, but also it features a one-of-a-kind "Pooch Patio Menu."
Starting off with drinks, your dog can enjoy a non-alcoholic "Bowser Beer" or water (including Fiji). For the main dish, your pooch can enjoy a grilled sirloin, house-made beef and rice in gravy, a frozen beef bone or peanut-banana popsicle. All items are $10 or less.
2. The Daily Dish (8301 Grubb Road, Silver Spring)
This casual restaurant offers dog-friendly outdoor seating and, on Thursdays, "Yappy Hour" from 3:30 to 6 p.m., while you can enjoy a special three course menu selection chosen by the chef for $30.
The Scene
The most fun things to do and places to be in D.C., Maryland and Virginia
On Aug. 26, the restaurant is celebrating National Dog Day from 5 to 7 p.m. Dogs can enjoy special treats like marrow bones while you can sip one a special cocktail such as the Pomeranian, the Salty Dog or the Hair of the Dog.
Family Pet Vet and Cleverdog will be attending the event, as well as Pooches, Kitties and Kisses, a mobile pet grooming service that will be offering appointments to pamper your dogs.
The event is free. Reservations are not required and a portion of proceeds will benefit the Washington Humane Society.
3. Jackson 20 at Hotel Monaco Alexandria (480 King St., Alexandria)
On Tuesday nights, your pup can enjoy a dog-friendly patio "Yappy Hour" from 5 to 8 p.m. from April through October. Happy hour for adults is every weekday from 4 to 7 p.m., but on Tuesday's it's all about you and man's best friend.
4. Cantina Marina (600 Water St. SW)
On Mondays, one of D.C.'s favorite waterfront bars offers a doggie biscuit buffet while you enjoy their $4 IPA beer special. Animal shelters also bring in adoptable dogs to liven up the party at the start of your week.
The D.C. waterfront restaurant and bar is dog-friendly every day, but that Monday milk bone will be sure to pep up your pup.
5. Bardo (200 Bladensburg Road NE)
This outdoor beer garden includes its own dog park right next to Nationals Park, and offers dog treats every day, any time of the day.
You can look for all dog-friendly restaurants and bars -- listed by state and county -- online here.
Special Events/Outings:
1. Canine Cruise With the Potomac Riverboat Company (leaves from Old Town Market, 210 N. Lee St., Alexandria)
Your dog can enjoy the open water along with you on a canine cruise along the Potomac River. Even better than that -- dogs ride free! There are currently only two dates left this year, Sept. 12 and Oct. 30, so it's wise to buy tickets in advance.
This 60-minute cruise travels around the Alexandria Seaport at 11 a.m. Dogs must be on a six-foot flat leash at all times. Tickets are $16 for adults and seniors and $10 for kids ages 2 to 11.
On Oct. 30, costumes for you and your dog are encouraged, and special Halloween treats will be on board.
2. Pups in the Park at Nationals Park (1500 S. Capitol St. SE)
Your fur kid can enjoy the game, too! Buy a special ticket for your dog and bring him or her along Sept. 3 to see the Nats battle the Atlanta Braves (7:05 p.m.), or Sept. 26 to see the game against the Philadelphia Phillies (4:05 p.m.)
Your ticket package includes access to a special seating area and entrance to the Pups Zone. Owner tickets are $26; dog tickets are $10 and benefit the Washington Humane Society.
Doggie Ice Cream:
1. The Dairy Godmother (2310 Mt Vernon Ave., Alexandria)
This frozen custard shop offers Puppy Pops and baked Squirrels. Puppy Pops come in pumpkin and banana flavors and are made from plain yogurt and peanut butter.
The Squirrels dog treats are made from spent barley malt, eggs, vegetable oil, and stone-ground wheat flour. Dogs are not allowed inside the shop, so bring a (human) friend to watch the pup while you duck inside.
2. Pleasant Pops (1781 Florida Ave. NW)
Pleasant Pops in Adams Morgan offer $1 peanut butter- or water-flavored puppy pops. According to their website, they've served up treats for 2,835 dogs.
3. Bruster's Real Ice Cream (18519 N. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, and 1409 Forest Drive, Annapolis)
At both these locations your dog -- or cat! -- can enjoy a free Doggy Sundae, and kids under 40" tall can get free cones, too. So bring your whole family, including your furry relatives, along for the trip.
"BONE"-US ROUND:
The Lost Dog Cafe (5876 Washington Blvd., Arlington; 2920 Columbia Pike, Arlington; 808 N. Henry St., Alexandria) and The Stray Cat Cafe (5866 Washington Blvd., Arlington)
Though you can't bring your own pet to these spots, these full-on pet-themed restaurants are dedicated to saving animals through their Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation. You can enjoy portraits of adoptable animals while you nosh on animal-themed cuisine such as the Bureau-Cat sandwich or Green Dog Dip.
So pick your team, cats or dogs, and help support the rescue effort.
