Photograph courtesy of Art and Soul

Lots of bars and restaurants—such as Capitol Hill’s Union Pub and Old Town’s Jackson 20—offer dog-friendly patios and even “yappy hours.” With a new law permitting dogs at outdoor Maryland restaurants taking effect this summer, pet-friendly spots could sprout up across the state. In the meantime, these three destinations go above and beyond to get tails wagging.

BEST IF YOUR DOG LIKES BEER
Art and Soul
415 New Jersey Ave., NW; 202-393-7777
When the patio’s open at Art Smith’s Capitol Hill eatery, canine guests can eat off the Pooch Patio menu, with gourmet offerings such as frozen raw bones, a three- or six-ounce grilled steak, beef tips in gravy with rice, and house-made granola treats. To wash it all down? Nonalcoholic Bowser Beer. Prices are $3 to $8.

BEST OUTING IN NICE WEATHER
The Argonaut
1433 H St., NE; 202-250-3660
On Saturdays when the weather’s nice, this bar teams up with the Capitol Hill pet boutique Metro Mutts on the Argonaut’s patio from noon to 5. Dogs get holistic treats—such as the shop’s new line of bakery pop tarts and doughnuts—while humans can treat themselves to $1 off drafts and rail drinks and half off hushpuppies.

BEST IF YOUR DOG LOVES BONES
Pat Troy’s Ireland’s Own
111 N. Pitt St., Alexandria; 703-549-4535
On this Old Town pub’s patio, for $5.99 dogs can enjoy chopped chicken, hamburger, and lamb or beef stew with onions, all served with a bone on the side.

This article appears in the July 2011 issue of The Washingtonian.

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