The 15 Most Dog-Friendly Places in the D.C. Area, Mapped

From restaurants to parks to pubs

By Michelle Goldchain and Missy Frederick Apr 11, 2016, 11:52am EDT

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By Michelle Goldchain and Missy Frederick Apr 11, 2016, 11:52am EDT

Does it have to be difficult owning a dog in the nation's capital? Of course not. There are plenty of places around the D.C. area that are perfect for frolicking or relaxing with one's pup. To create this guide for pet owners, Curbed DC collaborated with Eater DC in order to know what restaurants are worth the mention. If there were any pet-friendly spots left out, be sure to leave a comment.

[UPDATE: A previous version of this article said that dogs can run off-leash in Montrose Park. This has been corrected.]

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Samuel Beckett's Irish Gastro Pub

There are 27 different Arlington restaurants that recently received permits to allow dogs to hang out on restaurant patios, from Rocklands to Liberty Tavern. Among them is this Irish Shirlington bar, where dogs are welcome in the outdoor, roped-in area.

2800 S Randolph St, Arlington, VA 22206

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The Dairy Godmother

Del Ray is one of the area’s most dog-friendly neighborhoods. It shows at places like frozen custard shop The Dairy Godmother, which offers “puppy pops” in pumpkin and banana flavors, as well as “squirrels,” a baked dog treat. Dogs are restricted to the benches outside the shop, though, for Health Department reasons, except for helper dogs.

2310 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301

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Jackson 20

Kimpton hotels have a reputation for being dog-friendly, and this Alexandria Kimpton restaurant helps embody that spirit by hosting a Tuesday evening Doggy Happy Hour with special treats for the puppies.

480 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

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Montrose Park

Originally, rope-making tycoon Robert Parriot used this plot of land as his home, but eventually local residents were able to use the grounds as a recreational space. There is a large children's play area, two sets of tennis courts, and an open space located in this area. Dogs are not allowed to run without a leash in this area.

3099 R St NW, Washington, D.C.

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Hotel Madera

Kimpton is known for having some of the most pet-friendly amenities in the city. No matter the size or breed of one's pet, there are no extra fees for checking in at this hotel. Other offerings include pet sitting, dog walking, and pet spa services.

1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

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S Street Dog Park

Want your pooch to roam off leash? This fenced-in property allows that, while providing features like antimicrobial turf and enough benches to be able to easily find a space to lounge.

1800 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20009

Also featured in:

Where to find dog parks in D.C.

Meridian Hill Park

Welcome to one of Washington, D.C.'s best parks. This spot is perfect for people-watching and comes with a cascading fountain, statues, and enough space for walking one's pooch throughout the year. The area is rarely crowded, but it can still have a lot of energy in the summers when the drum circle is around.

2500 16th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

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Right Proper Brewing Company

One of D.C.’s favorite and most accessible breweries welcomes dogs on its outdoor patio in Shaw. The Humane Society also hosts adoption events there.

624 T St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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City Market at O

Need a new place to live? City Market at O might be the perfect choice for any dog lover. The development comes with a rooftop dog park, divided into sections for bigger dogs and smaller dogs. There is also a washing and grooming station as well as a Dog of the Month club that can get pretty competitive.

Open in Google Maps

800 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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The National Mall

This might seem like an obvious choice, but it's worth mentioning. The National Mall is great for running, picnics, and playing with one's dog. Just be sure to keep your pup on a leash.

National Mall, Washington, D.C. 20024

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Also featured in:

Art and Soul

Art and Soul not only has a dog-friendly patio. It has an entire “pooch patio” menu, with selections like “Bowser Beer” (it’s non-alcoholic) and peanut banana “pupsicles” for canine visitors.

415 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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Also featured in:

Lincoln Park

One mile away from the U.S. Capitol, you can find this popular, dog-friendly park. For a morning run, there is a dirt running loop. In the park, you can often find people reading and children frolicking. It's also a historic area. During the Civil War, the Lincoln Hospital was located there.

East Capitol St, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Bardo Brewpub

Dog-friendly is one of the first adjectives one can describe to this Northeast brewery, which even has a dog mascot, Bardawg (with his own Twitter account). Dogs are welcome on all 15,000 square feet of the outdoor area and permitted to roam off-leash. There’s also corn hole and other activities for the human visitors.

1200 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

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Also featured in:

United States National Arboretum

Does your dog need a lot of space? Like, a LOT of space? The National Arboretum should be one of the top places to go to. With 446 acres of land, this "living museum" features a bonsai garden and the original columns from the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol. It's worth noting that pets must be leashed at all time in the park. Despite all of the fauna, pets cannot urinate or defecate on the garden beds.

3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

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Also featured in:

Langdon Park

The park is located in the quiet Northeast neighborhood Landgon. Some of the little highlights you'll find in this quiet park include a dedication to the Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown and a public swimming pool. Because this space is fenced-in, dogs can run around without a leash.

2901 20th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20018

Also featured in:

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Samuel Beckett's Irish Gastro Pub

2800 S Randolph St, Arlington, VA 22206

There are 27 different Arlington restaurants that recently received permits to allow dogs to hang out on restaurant patios, from Rocklands to Liberty Tavern. Among them is this Irish Shirlington bar, where dogs are welcome in the outdoor, roped-in area.

2800 S Randolph St, Arlington, VA 22206

Visit Website

The Dairy Godmother

2310 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301

Del Ray is one of the area’s most dog-friendly neighborhoods. It shows at places like frozen custard shop The Dairy Godmother, which offers “puppy pops” in pumpkin and banana flavors, as well as “squirrels,” a baked dog treat. Dogs are restricted to the benches outside the shop, though, for Health Department reasons, except for helper dogs.

2310 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301

Visit Website

Jackson 20

480 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Kimpton hotels have a reputation for being dog-friendly, and this Alexandria Kimpton restaurant helps embody that spirit by hosting a Tuesday evening Doggy Happy Hour with special treats for the puppies.

480 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit Website

Montrose Park

3099 R St NW, Washington, D.C.

Originally, rope-making tycoon Robert Parriot used this plot of land as his home, but eventually local residents were able to use the grounds as a recreational space. There is a large children's play area, two sets of tennis courts, and an open space located in this area. Dogs are not allowed to run without a leash in this area.

3099 R St NW, Washington, D.C.

Hotel Madera

1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Kimpton is known for having some of the most pet-friendly amenities in the city. No matter the size or breed of one's pet, there are no extra fees for checking in at this hotel. Other offerings include pet sitting, dog walking, and pet spa services.

1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Visit Website

S Street Dog Park

1800 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20009

Want your pooch to roam off leash? This fenced-in property allows that, while providing features like antimicrobial turf and enough benches to be able to easily find a space to lounge.

1800 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20009

Meridian Hill Park

2500 16th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Welcome to one of Washington, D.C.'s best parks. This spot is perfect for people-watching and comes with a cascading fountain, statues, and enough space for walking one's pooch throughout the year. The area is rarely crowded, but it can still have a lot of energy in the summers when the drum circle is around.

2500 16th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Right Proper Brewing Company

624 T St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

One of D.C.’s favorite and most accessible breweries welcomes dogs on its outdoor patio in Shaw. The Humane Society also hosts adoption events there.

624 T St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

City Market at O

800 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Need a new place to live? City Market at O might be the perfect choice for any dog lover. The development comes with a rooftop dog park, divided into sections for bigger dogs and smaller dogs. There is also a washing and grooming station as well as a Dog of the Month club that can get pretty competitive.

Open in Google Maps

800 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

The National Mall

National Mall, Washington, D.C. 20024

This might seem like an obvious choice, but it's worth mentioning. The National Mall is great for running, picnics, and playing with one's dog. Just be sure to keep your pup on a leash.

National Mall, Washington, D.C. 20024

Visit Website

Art and Soul

415 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Art and Soul not only has a dog-friendly patio. It has an entire “pooch patio” menu, with selections like “Bowser Beer” (it’s non-alcoholic) and peanut banana “pupsicles” for canine visitors.

415 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Lincoln Park

East Capitol St, Washington, D.C. 20002

One mile away from the U.S. Capitol, you can find this popular, dog-friendly park. For a morning run, there is a dirt running loop. In the park, you can often find people reading and children frolicking. It's also a historic area. During the Civil War, the Lincoln Hospital was located there.

East Capitol St, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Bardo Brewpub

1200 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Dog-friendly is one of the first adjectives one can describe to this Northeast brewery, which even has a dog mascot, Bardawg (with his own Twitter account). Dogs are welcome on all 15,000 square feet of the outdoor area and permitted to roam off-leash. There’s also corn hole and other activities for the human visitors.

1200 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

United States National Arboretum

3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Does your dog need a lot of space? Like, a LOT of space? The National Arboretum should be one of the top places to go to. With 446 acres of land, this "living museum" features a bonsai garden and the original columns from the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol. It's worth noting that pets must be leashed at all time in the park. Despite all of the fauna, pets cannot urinate or defecate on the garden beds.

3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Langdon Park

2901 20th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20018

The park is located in the quiet Northeast neighborhood Landgon. Some of the little highlights you'll find in this quiet park include a dedication to the Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown and a public swimming pool. Because this space is fenced-in, dogs can run around without a leash.

2901 20th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20018