The NoVa Pet Guide: 4 pet-friendly bars and restaurants in Northern Virginia

We asked our readers to tell us their favorite pet-friendly bars and restaurants in Northern Virginia. Here’s what they said.

Are you looking for the best pet-friendly bars and restaurants in Northern Virginia to enjoy a night out with your furry friend? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the top spots in the area based on a recent readers’ choice poll. Get ready to raise a paw for these fantastic establishments that welcome both you and your four-legged companion with open arms.

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Caboose Commons in Fairfax

Kicking off our journey through Northern Virginia’s pet-friendly food scene, our readers chose Caboose Commons in Fairfax. It’s a feast for the eyes with its chic, expansive, canopied outdoor seating area. Imagine sipping on a finely brewed craft beer, the sun setting in the background, while your furry pal gets all the pets and adoration from fellow patrons.

While Caboose Commons offers a modern, stunning hangout space, its culinary offerings are equally impressive. The breakfast menu offers filling favorites and healthful options as well as a-la-carte bites to pair perfectly with a vast variety of craft coffees. Their lunch and dinner menu pairs comforting pub fare with international favorites that will tantalize your taste buds. Not to mention the wide variety of house beers, craft cocktails, and palatable wines curated for every taste.

What truly sets Caboose Commons apart is its dedication to giving back to the community. Every guest has an opportunity to order a grocery box or make a small donation, helping to get healthy foods to local families in need.

It’s this mix of great drinks, mouthwatering food, community outreach, and pet-friendly fun that makes Caboose Commons a standout in Fairfax. So, grab your leash, call your four-legged bestie, and head on over. An unforgettable time awaits at this Fairfax favorite pet-friendly restaurant and brewery.

Bark Social in Alexandria

At Bark Social in Alexandria, they’ve unleashed a whole new way to enjoy a day or evening out with your four-legged pal. Because this is not a restaurant for humans that simply allows dogs. This is a place made for dogs that allows humans. 

Your dog can hang with new furry friends, chasing tails and tennis balls while you lounge back with other dog parents, cocktail in hand. It’s a bar and it’s a dog park all in one. This unparalleled hangout spot helps foster new social circles for canines and their caretakers alike.

What sets Bark Social apart is its commitment to creating a truly inclusive atmosphere. Here, dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds are welcomed with open paws, and their human companions are treated to a selection of drinks and snacks. The menu is thoughtfully curated, featuring everything from refreshing craft beers to artisanal cocktails, and bites that will make you (and your dog) want to sit and stay.

Navigating a day out with your pup at Bark Social is a breeze, thanks to the attentive and pet-loving staff. This hangout also offers doggy day camps, so it’s a two-in-one dog paradise for pet owners. Each dog must be registered, showing they’ve got all their shots and proving they’ve been spayed or neutered for a healthy stress-free environment. 

Bark Social’s owners have thought of everything, from providing ample space for your dogs to play to ensuring there are plenty of spots for you to kick back and relax. Plus, they offer breed-specific hangouts, so your cattle dog can kick it with other cattle dogs, your Pomeranian can avoid big dogs, or you can get the chance to meet other Coton de Tulear enthusiasts. 

Bark Social is a cool hangout where dog lovers can share a beer and a story while participating in trivia nights and serving their best friends a doggy ice cream. Does it get much better for dogs? We think not. So, whether you’re a seasoned pet parent or just a fan of four-legged fun, swing by Bark Social. 

Snouts & Stouts in Arlington

In Arlington, this establishment is nothing short of a pet owner’s nirvana — Snouts & Stouts. This indoor dog park and bar combo is where the concept of “happy hour” extends to both ends of the leash. Here, dogs can frolic in a safe, climate-controlled environment, mingling with other dogs, while you kick back with a cold brew in hand.

This place boasts a selection of craft beers that would make any connoisseur drool. From hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts, the drink menu has something for nearly any human patron. Snouts & Stouts is a unique blend of relaxation for the pet parents and exhilarating playtime for the pets. 

Snouts & Stouts isn’t just a bar or a dog park. They have a full-service kitchen serving up delicious snacks that humans love while keeping them dog-safe, in case you drop a bite. There’s also a dedicated dog menu for feeding Fido, just in case your best friend shares your voracious appetite. 

If you’re looking for a safe place for your dog to play while you’re away, look no further. Snouts & Stouts offers doggy daycare and boarding as well as a cool hangout for pet lovers. On top of that, you can even get your doggy bathed here. Imagine going out for a night on the town and coming home with a clean and fresh pet. Nothing beats that!

So, if you’ve ever wished for a place where your social and pet life can merge seamlessly, Snouts & Stouts is your answer. Forget about the weather forecast; your perfect day out awaits indoors at this Arlington pet paradise.

Sweetwater Tavern in Sterling 

Rounding off our tour of Northern Virginia’s finest pet-friendly locales is Sweetwater Tavern in Sterling. This sweet spot for hop enthusiasts and their hound companions is a sterling (pun intended) example of how to combine good eats, great brews, and four-legged friends into an irresistible mix. With an expansive outdoor patio that welcomes both sun-seekers and shade-lovers, Sweetwater Tavern has mastered the art of creating a space where pets and their people can gather comfortably.

What sets Sweetwater Tavern apart from the pack is its dedication to culinary and brewing excellence. This is where comfort food meets craft mastery, offering a menu that pairs wonderfully with their in-house brewed beers. Each dish and draught is made with true culinary craftsmanship for a truly enjoyable experience.

Moreover, Sweetwater Tavern’s commitment to the community goes beyond creating a pet-friendly oasis. The establishment goes the extra mile by supporting food-insecure families in the community. A percentage of sales goes back to charity from each of the parent company’s many wonderful establishments. It’s this combination of exceptional community service, delectable dining, great beers, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes Sweetwater Tavern a beloved fixture in Sterling.

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