You don’t have to own a dog to love Dog Bar. You just have to have your ear scratching hands at the ready.
A staple of the Grand Central District, The Dog Bar celebrates its 10th anniversary in St. Pete this month. To mark the occasion, the combo dog park and 21+ bar is hosting a mega-sized party on Friday, March 6, with festivities taking over the property all weekend.
In an ironic twist for the casual watering hole, the celebration is a full-on gala. Break out the nicest duds you have that you don’t mind getting dog hair on, dress up your pup in their most formal onesie, and get ready for a full night of awards, giveaways, and a self-described love letter to the community that has kept the lights on at Dog Bar for 10 years running.
As the city continues to change through development, an influx of people, and changing tastes, Dog Bar remains a quintessentially St. Pete experience. It’s so many things the city loves, all in one place. It’s laid back, it’s inclusive, it celebrates art, it has a massive tap list of beer, it showcases a rotating roster of the area’s best food trucks. And man, does this city love its dogs.
There are plenty of city parks, dog parks, and dog-friendly venues in St. Pete, of course. But there was nothing like Dog Bar when it came along a decade ago. The open-air destination deftly combines a neighborhood sports bar with a membership-based dog park, with people seamlessly drifting back and forth between the two sides. It also creates a place of inclusivity for all, a sense of community for anyone who steps through the gates. Just don’t forget to latch that gate behind you.
In fact, you don’t even need to have a dog. Besides the fact that there are plenty of pets to go around even if dogs outnumber humans, The Dog Bar is a good time with or without a pup in tow. Whether you’re catching a game, meeting friends for happy hour, or just using someone’s cute dog to convince your partner that you should get one too, furry friends are not required. They are, of course, always invited and welcomed.
This weekend, we’ll raise a toast to one of the only spots where it isn’t scary to find a hair in your drink. That’s probably just Lola’s.