Roam: Pet-friendly bars and restaurants in Philadelphia

There was a time when “No Pets Allowed” was pretty much the rule in all but a few bars and dining establishments. But times are changing, and these days Philadelphia is packed with spots ready to welcome you and your furry pals.

Over the past decade, Philly has seen something of a renaissance in outdoor dining options, and many in the city’s most fashionable neighborhoods are now dog-friendly. Enjoy dinner al fresco and even get a doggie bowl and water for your pup.

Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse has long ben among Philadelphia’s most affluent neighborhoods. Centered on one of the city’s oldest parks, the Ritt offers lots of art and craft sales throughout the year, as well as a variety of places to enjoy a fine meal.

Rouge

205 South 18th Street (on Rittenhouse Square)

Marathon on the Square

1839 Spruce Street

Tavern 17

220 South 17th Street

Square 1682, Hotel Palomar

121 S. 17th St.

University City

Enjoy pet-friendly outdoor dining in a relaxed campus environment. U. City offers a slightly more chill pace and more available parking than Center City.

The Fat Ham

3131 Walnut St.

Tacos Don Memo

270 S. 38th St.

White Dog Café

3420 Sansom Street

Wishbone

4034 Walnut St.

East Passyunk Avenue

Rapidly becoming one of the city’s most fashionable neighborhoods, East Passyunk has the old-time feel of South Philly’s mom-and-pop shops, peppered with restaurants catering to almost any taste.

Izumi

1601 East Passyunk Ave.

Paradiso Restaurant and Wine Bar

1627 East Passyunk Avenue

Bars

Philly has long been what they call, “a bar town”—with small bistros and musty taprooms at almost every corner. If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy a pint of ale or a glass of wine while your dog sips from a bowl of cool fresh water, try some of these local taverns.

Doobie’s

2201 Lombard St. (Fitler Square)

With the feel somewhere between that of a neighborhood bar and an English pub, Doobies actually welcomes well-behaved pups inside. So if your mutt enjoys curling up at your feet while you have a drink with friends, this is the place for you.

Local 44

4333 Spruce St.

Some of you old heads might remember this place as “Murphy’s Tavern,” back in the days when Jim and Joe Murphy ran the place. Always a friendly neighborhood watering hole, Local 44 continues to welcome both two- and four-legged patrons.

Good Dog Bar

224 S. 15th St.

As the name suggests, well-mannered pooches are welcome at this Center City taproom.

The Sidecar

2201 Christian St.

West of Broad on Christian Street in South Philly, you’ll find the Sidecar, a two-story bar-restaurant known as much for its drink specials as for its burgers and pulled-pork tacos. Stop in with your lovable mutt and relax.

So come and enjoy a slice of Philly this summer—and bring your canine companions!

Cecily Kellogg is a pet lover who definitely has crazy cat lady leanings. Her pets are all shelter rescues, including the dog, who is scared of the cats. She spent eight years working as a Veterinary Technician before becoming a writer. Today she writes all over the web, including here at Figo.