Dog-friendly Hangouts

10 of the best dog-friendly bars and patios in Austin

Editor's note: Since the publication of this article, unfortunately Freddie's Place has closed.

It’s no secret that Austinites love their furry friends. With a dog-friendly establishment near every corner, you can take your pet almost anywhere.

We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite spots that you and Fido are sure to love.

Yard Bar
The long-awaited opening for this dog park and bar is right around the corner. Scheduled for a summer opening, Yard Bar's 20,000 square feet of off-leash land serves as a playtime paradise. Members can enjoy a cold craft brew while their fur baby roams the park full of doggie play equipment. Annual memberships start at $150 and monthly memberships at $15. $5 day passes (per dog) are also available. Yard Bar’s perks include staff to scoop the poop, mister fans and Wi-Fi, making this the perfect summer hangout.

Banger's Sausage House
One of Rainey Street's finest locales has a knack for entertaining human and canine guests with serious coolness. Every third Monday of the month from 5-7 pm, Banger's celebrates Mega Mutt Monday and pet lovers bring the hippest of patio pooches to hang out. The beer garden makes for ideal lounging space for your pup while you chill out with a cold one. Spike can get a taste of sausage, too. Banger's offers "dog sausage" made from beef, pork and veggies your dog will love.

Moontower Saloon
This South Austin staple corners the market in puppy play spaces. A staggering 11 acres gives Rover all the room he needs to … rove. Moontower pulls out all the stops for dogs, including themed events like a weekly pug meet-up (adorbs). A fully stocked bar, backyard vibes and daily live music make this a great spot for two- and four-legged pals alike.

Opal Divine’s Marina
Dog-friendly is an understatement at this North Austin spot with fresh bowls of ice water, on-site doggie food dispensers and spacious patios. Pet parents can enjoy local craft beer from the bar’s extensive list of more than 30 selections, while their dogs sunbathe on the patio deck. The kitchen serves up some seriously good bar food with Southwestern and American flair, including bratwurst, Divine cheese fries and Zihuatanejo shrimp tacos.

Moonshine Grill
Moonshine welcomes canine company on its patios. Southern comfort rings true in the food and atmosphere, with spacious stone patios you and your dog will love. Sip the signature Waterloo patio cocktail while your leashed buddy gets comfortable in Southern style.

Contigo
Contigo is the dog-friendly gem of Mueller. The spacious spot with casual picnic tables will make you and your pup feel like you've escaped to a true Texas ranch. Bring your fur buddy for brunch or happy hour and enjoy a Moscow Mueller or a crisp Old Fashioned at this mellow East Austin hideout.

Red’s Porch
This South Lamar restaurant ups the patio ante with 75 percent of the locale being open-air greatness. Bring the dog or two (because there’s literally that much space) for a drink and a brunch full of goodies. Grub on brunch favorites like shrimp and grits and Texas French toast while your furry friend hangs out nearby.

Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
Not only does the ABGB serve up delicious pizza and craft beer, the South Austin space has a spacious backyard with plenty of lawn chairs and shady spots for your four-legged friend. ABGB also has a dog watering station and individual bowls.

Draught House
Hang out with your pup in true Texan style at this local pub where you can create a chill tailgate with your best buds (two- and four-legged). Bring your folding chairs and get settled with a pitcher of craft beer. Fido may not be able to drink the beer, but you can treat him to a nibble of free bratwurst on Saturday afternoon. You owe him after putting him in that Halloween Costume last year. Yup, he still remembers.

Freddie's Place
Considered by many Austinites at the top of the list of dog-friendly patios, Freddie's Place is a pet owner's favorite. Visiting dogs are welcomed with watering stations, huge dog biscuits and even a "dog burger" on their own menu. Pet parents can enjoy sweet drink specials, including $1.99 tallboys, well drinks and frozen margs during happy hour. Freddie's Place makes happy hour even happier with "Two Throws Tuesday," where guests play washers for a chance to win a free meal.

Banger's is a Rainey Street oasis for man's best friend.

Photo courtesy of Banger's Sausage House and Beer Garden

Banger's is a Rainey Street oasis for man's best friend.

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Games on the Go

This outdoorsy mountain trolley is now a vintage arcade in Austin

Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

The trolley still bears most of the markings from its past life in Tennessee.

Some classic arcade games are now on the go in Austin with the launch of the Austin Arcade Trolley. Housed in a renovated trolley car, this new mobile arcade shows off eight vintage 80s and 90s games, while keeping some of the transportation nostalgia intact, too.

Austin Arcade Trolley owner and ex-corporate salesman Trey Tschoepe said in a press release that the idea came about after attending birthday parties with his 6-year-old daughter. The parties inspired a desire to "keep Austinites young at heart." It wasn't intended as a business, but Austinites can now book it for their own events.

The vintage games include:

NBA Jam
Golden Tee
Ms. Pacman
Atari
The Simpsons
NFL Blitz
Mortal Kombat
Street Fighter II

Austin Arcade Trolley interior Even though the aesthetics are different, both halves of this bus are very retro.Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

It's not just limited to those classics, though; a 55-inch screen will let guests play more than 30,000 other games. Minecraft, Roblox, and Tetris are a few of those offerings.

“Not only are we delivering nostalgic fun that accessible to all ages, but we’re also doing it in style with a vintage trolley car converted into a mobile arcade," said Tschoepe. "There’s truly nothing else like this in Texas or anywhere else.”

There certainly are other mobile arcades, but the trolley is unique not just for its vintage selection but a delightfully outdoorsy look. The back of the vehicle looks like an arcade, but the front and exterior sidestep the expected design elements — neon colors, envisionings of cyberspace — by keeping everything as-is.

Austin Arcade Trolley interior This part of the trolley basically looks like any other mobile arcade.Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

The wooden interior still has some passenger benches, and the outside even displays its original affiliation: the Tennessee town of Pigeon Forge, where it was designated a "Fun Time Trolley."

Tschoepe did put some work in, even though he kept the aesthetic intact. He purchased the decommissioned car in May 2024 and spent six months implementing custom woodwork and other design updates.

Now it can fit 15 guests in the arcade section, with space for 7 more in the seating section. There's also wifi and air-conditioning, and guests are encouraged to bring their own snacks and drinks onboard.

Austin Arcade Trolley interior This part of the trolley brings light to an airier side of gaming.Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

The trolley is available for hourly booking every day. The case price is $375 including delivery, setup, and unlimited play within the booking time, which happens in two-hour increments. It can travel around Austin as well as to Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Leander, Dripping Springs, Bee Cave, Buda, Kyle, and Lakeway.

Tschoepe welcomes kids and adults for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, weddings, corporate and team-building events, and anywhere else it's needed.

“We’re excited to spread the fun throughout Central Texas," he said.

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