The Best Dog-Friendly and Pet-Friendly Places in Boston
When it comes to exploring Boston, you might want to bring your faithful companion everywhere, but Fido and Fifi aren’t always allowed. As of June 1, that challenge might be paws-ed for some locales. The City of Boston now offers special “dog-friendly space” variances to approved businesses for welcoming leashed dogs in outdoor spaces. Translation? You’ll start to see more area restaurants and beer gardens welcoming you and your four-legged friend. While most of Boston’s best bars, breweries and restaurants remain reserved for humans only, here are some of the best spots that do welcome pets, along with a few parks perfect for outdoor romps with Rover.
Pet-friendly spots in Boston
- Liberty Hotel: From May-October, bring your pooch to Liberty Hotel’s private outdoor courtyard for Yappier Hour on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5pm-8pm. You’ll enjoy cocktails from Clink, while four-legged friends are welcome to dog treats and “puptails” provided by Fish and Bone.
- Night Shift Brewing: While the Boston outpost on Lovejoy Wharf forbids doggos, you can make the trek from downtown to the pet-friendly patio at Night Shift Brewing’s Everett location for a fresh pint of saison, stout or lager. They also welcome pups at their beer gardens in Allston and along the Esplanade. The brewery occasionally hosts Paws + Pints events during which beer lovers are encouraged to bring their pets for some brews and fundraising, with proceeds going to a local pet rescue.
- J.P. Licks: You know your pet’s welcome at a restaurant (or at least on its patio) when there’s an actual menu item dedicated to them. All 17 locations of this local ice cream shop offer four-legged customers Peanut Butter and Honey Cow Paws—a lightly flavored peanut butter dairy-free sorbet with a touch of honey. The “cherry” on top? A cute kosher dog bone. Ensure your pooch wins most fashionable at the dog park with a JP Licks doggy bandana.
- South End Buttery: The South End Buttery is the place to be for brunch or just a cup of coffee and a sweet treat on the weekends. Any time of day though it’s a great place to stop by with your furry friend and enjoy a bite at an outdoor table when the weather allows. The staff is very welcoming to dogs; the business donates to several pet rescue charities in the area, and the cafe is adorned with photos of local rescue dogs and cats.
- Coppa: After taking fido for a run around the off-leash dog area at Peters Park, head around the corner to Coppa. The popular South End enoteca has a small patio with umbrellas and water for your companion. The patio is open nightly until 10pm for late-night pups.
- SoWa Open Market: The South End is particularly dog-friendly, with dog parks, pooch-friendly patios, and canine-tolerant shops. The weekly SoWa Open Market is dog-friendly, so feel free to stroll through the market with your furry friend. Several vendors offer pet-related products, from leashes and collars made from recycled materials to homemade pet treats.
- BearMoose Brewing: While most breweries allow dogs only on outdoor patios, Bear Moose Brewing in Everett also welcomes them indoors. Pups need to be leashed at all times and remain with you at your table, but we’re sure they’ll appreciate the special treatment. Sip on IPAs, cream ales, stouts, fruit beers and more while enjoying your favorite snacks from home (outside food is permitted and encouraged).
- Arnold Arboretum: Harvard University’s free outdoor tree and plant museum is America’s first Arboretum and a great place to stroll with your dog (provided they’re wearing a leash). One of Boston’s lushest green spaces and stretching from Jamaica Plain into Rozzie, the 281-acre landscape has a world-renowned living collection of 15,000 plants to sniff and explore. Bonus: You’re not far from Polka Dog Bakery, so you can stop for a well-deserved snack on your way home.
- Newbury Street: It might be trendy with tourists, but fashionable Newbury Street is a great place to take your pet out for a little urban exploration (combined with a little shopping for you). Many of the stores are dog-friendly, such as Urban Outfitters, Lush and The Apple Store, and there are plenty of coffee shops and eateries with dog-friendly patios, such as The Thinking Cup and Stephanie’s on Newbury. Buy your bestie a treat at Fish & Bone or Pawsh Dog Boutique.
- Castle Island Park & Fort Independence: While parking in the summer is a battle itself, a visit with your canine companion to Castle Island is worth it any season. Fort Independence, an 1800s pentagonal five-bastioned granite fort, is its centerpiece and is surrounded by a 22-acre park. Visit Castle Island Beach, where leashed dogs are permitted off-season (Labor Day to Memorial Day). The iconic New England seafood shack, Sullivan’s, closes its 2023 season in November or December each year, but its patio is a great place to hang out with your pup for fried seafood and, of course, its famous hot dogs.
- Rose Kennedy Greenway: Take your friend out for a walk before grabbing a bite to eat on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The verdant, mile-long ribbon of grassy parks is perfect for exercising with your pet. When it’s time for lunch, hit up one or two of the tasty food trucks parked in various spots along the Greenway (check the website for the daily schedule).
So there you have it, a list of dog-friendly and pet-friendly places in Boston where you can take your furry friend along for a fun-filled adventure. From hotels and breweries to restaurants and parks, Boston has plenty to offer both you and your pet. So grab their leash, pack some treats, and explore all that this beautiful city has to offer!