Tampa Bay’s dog-friendly guide

Round of a-paws, please. From doggy-friendly watering holes like The Dog Bar to spoiling your pup with royal treatments at Spoil Me Dog Spa, it makes sense that Tampa and St. Pete rank 13 and 17 in Forbes’ Top 25 Best Cities for Dogs list.

Whether you’re in need of a drinking paw-tner at a local brewery, hitting the night market, or just dining out, well bone appétit. Get ready to dig into this guide for dog-friendly spots around the 727 + 813.

Pro tip: You can use BringFido to find more dog-friendly restaurants, pet-friendly hotels, and events, too.

🐾 Bars + Breweries

• World of Beer, 5311 Avion Park Dr., Tampa | Serving up brews + bites, this WOB location features an outdoor patio that allows Fido, Buddy, or Scout to join you for a pint.
• Two Shepherds Taproom, 4813 N. Grady Ave., Tampa | For the free-spirited pup, consider this 21+ indoor-outdoor dog park + taproom where your off-leash lads and ladies can freely roam and mingle.
• Pups Pub, 2202 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | Pups Pub is a full-liquor dog bar where all playful patrons are fully vaxxed against rabies and parvo.
• Tampa Bay Brewing Company, 1600 E. 8th Ave. + 13937 Monroes Business Park, Tampa | The perfect precursor to a post-meal walk with your pooch, TBBC caters to your four-legged friends with its dog-friendly patio featuring water bowls and a doggy dining menu.
• Coppertail Brewing Co., 2601 East 2nd Ave., Tampa | Pop into Coppertail’s patio with your pup for a glass of Tampa-brewed beer and a bite (we recommend the loaded waffle fries or fried pimento cheese).
• The Dog Bar, 2300 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | The outdoor sports bar is always hoppin’ – with doggos racing on the turf or splashing in kiddie pools and owners downing beers and grabbing snacks at the food truck du jour.
• Ferg’s Sports Bar, 1320 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | Hole up in stadium seat booths to watch a Rays win — or loss — and keep a watchful eye on your pup as they enjoy the dog park.
• Green Bench Brewing Company, 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg | Looking for a Sunday hangout? The centrally located watering hole has a range of locally named beers and a large outdoor turf patio with Adirondack chairs for lounging with your furry friend.
• 3 Daughters Brewing, 222 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg | We love 3 Daughters for their funky live music sets, beer and sour flights, and overall sense of community — and pups are welcome too.

🐾 Restaurants

• Datz, locations + patios vary | Don’t experience all dat Datz has to offer alone — bring your pup for some front-porch sittin’.
• On Swann, 1501 W Swann Ave., Tampa | Like most spots in Hyde Park, On Swann welcomes canine companions on its patio, so you can indulge in that iconic kale salad — you know the one — and drop a few nibbles of bacon to your furry bestie.
• Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa | If you’re craving something savory, sweet, or spiked, you can camp out at Sparkman Wharf in one of its many waterfront settings with your furry friend.
• Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | Your dogs can join you for a night of eats from one of Armature Works’ vendors but must stay outside Heights Public Market unless they’re a service dog.
• Bulla Gastrobar, 930 S. Howard Ave., Tampa | Pass the paella on this SOHO patio, perfect for a date night with your favorite person… or pup.
• Ella’s Folk Art Cafe, 5119 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa | Soulfood Sunday brunch, anyone? We recommend the fried chicken and waffles, on the patio, with your resident couch dweller… AKA your pooch.
• Ulele, 1810 N. Highland Ave., Tampa | Whether you’re stopping by the outdoor bar for a drink or want to sit on the patio or lawn with your favorite app, Ulele welcomes your dog(s) outdoors.
• bartaco, 1601 W. Snow Ave., Tampa | Remember how we said Hyde Park was dog-friendly? bartaco is no exception with its outdoor patio.
• Forbici Modern Italian, 1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa | Another Hyde Park favorite, Forbici boasts a shaded patio to ensure your pasta-lovin’ pup stays cool.
• Goody Goody Burgers, 1601 W. Swann Ave., Tampa | Might we recommend a plain burger for the good boy? This spot’s patio wraps half the establishment, ensuring a place for everyone (and we mean every pup) at the table.
• Red Mesa Mercado, 1100 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg | Nothing hits quite like a laidback Taco Tuesday. Hit up Red Mesa’s walk-up window with your pup and chill out at a courtyard picnic table with an icy soda.
• The Avenue DTSP, 330 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | The Avenue has excellent happy hours and specials, and pups are welcome to join you at sidewalk tables.
• The Library, 600 5th St. S., St. Petersburg | Finally, a library that allows pets. The buzzy St. Pete restaurant allows dogs at its outdoor cafe tables, so you can enjoy a prosciutto flatbread or rice noodle salad with your pup.
• Trip’s Diner, locations + patios vary | Pups are always welcome at these self-proclaimed “not-too-fancy” diners. We like the breakfast burritos and sandwiches.
• El Cap, 3500 4th St. N., St. Petersburg | You’ve probably driven by the iconic neon sign before, but you should stop in for a burger. Visiting the longtime burger joint is like taking a journey back in time, and your favorite furry friend can come along, too (as long as they stay on the patio).
• URBAN Brew and BBQ, 2601 Central Ave, St. Petersburg | The expansive patio is perfect for relaxing with your dog and partaking in some mac and cheese, pulled pork, and other homestyle staples.

🐾 Hotels

• Aloft Tampa Downtown, 100 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | Stay in the heart of downtown — with Fido, of course. Aloft allows you to bring two furry friends up to 40 lbs and doesn’t charge a pet fee.
• Hotel Alba Tampa, 5303 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa |The Tapestry Collection by Hilton Hotel offers a pool bar, lots of outdoor spaces, and is pet-friendly. The hotel allows guests to bring up to two pets (cats and dogs are allowed) up to 100 lbs for an additional fee of $75 per pet, per stay.
• Hollander Hotel, 421 4th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | This historic downtown hotel has pet-friendly rooms available. Rates range from $30-$50 per night and the hotel allows up to two pets per room under 35 lbs.

🐾 Shopping centers

• Saturday Morning Market, 230 1st St. SE, St. Petersburg | Held every Saturday from October to the end of May, this massive outdoor market is arguably the largest outdoor market in Tampa Bay. Leashed pups are welcome, and many vendors bring water bowls for patrons to sip out of.
• Hyde Park Village, 1602 W. Snow Ave., Tampa | The South Tampa hub is outdoor + boasts tons of luxe stores (think Sunni Spencer, Sephora, West Elm), restaurants with outdoor seating, and plenty of benches and tables to relax with your pup — there’s a monthly fresh market that’s dog-friendly too.
• Central Avenue, St. Petersburg | Take your furry friend on an afternoon walk down the long stretch of downtown. While Central Avenue isn’t a mall, it’s stacked with tons of local boutiques, antique stores, and even pet shops.

🐾 Trails

• Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 US-301 N., Thonotosassa | Hike, raft, and camp with your doggos — just make sure to bring poop bags + keep them on a leash.
• Tampa Riverwalk, 200 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa | Tow man’s best friend along for a scenic Riverwalk bike ride or walk, and stop in at the Curtis Hixon Dog Park to finish off the experience.
• Upper Tampa Bay Trail, 9201 W. Waters Ave., Tampa | This 7.25-mile long paved trail takes you from Citrus Park and down the west bank of the Channel A waterway — entrance fee is $2 per vehicle.
• Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum, 605 11th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | Pull on your best walking shoes and head to this downtown park for a two-acre walk checking out the park’s 500+ palm trees.

🐾 Coffee shops

• Buddy Brew Coffee, locations + patios vary | Depending on the Buddy Brew of your choosing, furry patrons are welcome on the patio, like the Hyde Park location.
• The Blind Tiger, locations + patios vary | With more than seven locations around Tampa, there’s almost always a Blind Tiger outpost in walking distance of you and your pup.
• Black Crow Coffee Co., locations + patios vary | St. Pete local favorite Black Crow crafts the best iced matchas and specialty coffees, and there’s outdoor seating so you can bring your companion along.
• Kahwa Coffee, locations + patios vary | Located on both sides of the Bay, Kahwa serves a wicked strong brew and welcomes pups on its patios (make sure to ask for a treat).

🐾 Parks

• Curtis Hixon Dog Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa | Fido can pop in and out of tubes, mingle with other friends, and pop up on platforms at this Riverfront park — poop bags and water stations provided.
• North Shore Dog Park, 901 North Shore Dr. NE. St. Petersburg | This mulch-covered, waterfront park is always bustling with big and small pups alike. Plus, there’s ample picnic tables, a hose-down station, and other recreation activities located close by.
• Chase Park, 5313 27th Ave. S., Gulfport | Located just a quick walk from Gulfport’s main drag, this park offers large and small dog zones, a wash station, and plenty of tree-canopy shade.
• 4th and Angel Dog Park, 1802 E. 4th Ave., Ybor City | This newly-opened dog park has lots of spots to sit and talk with (human) friends + sits next to bagel-heaven Pete’s Ybor.
• Picnic Island Beach Dog Park, 7409 Picnic Island Blvd., Tampa | Let your pups race along the beach while you take in the sunset over the Gandy Bridge.

🐾 Dog beaches

It’s important to note that city beaches, in particular, are not dog-friendly unless otherwise noted. The following are dog-friendly beaches + parks. Read more from the Barks & Recreation department; yes, that’s real.

• Davis Island Dog Beach, 864 Severn Ave., Tampa | This dog beach is conveniently located right next to the boat ramp + offers a long stretch of off-leash beach.
• Fort De Soto Dog Beach, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde | Bring the whole fam (pups included) to camp out on the beach for the day. This spot boasts a beautiful stretch of white sand, wash-off stations, and dog parks.
• Sunset Dog Beach, 7545 Bayshore Dr., Treasure Island | This Treasure Island beach is a local fave, and is conveniently located down the street from Caddy’s on the Beach in case you’re in need of a boat drink.
• Pass-A-Grille Dog Beach, 1-199 Pass a Grille Way, St. Pete Beach | This time, bring Fido along for the beach day. The quaint slice of St. Pete Beach offers a dog-friendly section on the bay side.
• Honeymoon Island State Park, 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin | Craving a little nature? This massive state park feels isolated + has tons of beach for your furry friend to run.