It’s Texas. It’s H-O-T in the summers. So leaving Pup in the car isn’t an option in June, July, and August. Unless you don’t mind leaving your car running and a note explaining that your car is running so you won’t get a busted window. But Austin is the “dog friendliest city in the US” right? Not so quick. While you can bring your dog into a lot of retail stores, you can’t bring them into grocery stores or restaurants, or, unfortunately, almost all coffee shops and bars.
There are only so many 6am and 8pm hikes I can do in one week. Some days, especially weekends, I just want to go read or meet up with friends or work outside my tiny apartment and bring my dog with me. Because why have a dog if you are going to leave her at home all the time?
I had my 9 pound terrier in a sling bag and was quite spitefully kicked out of Wheatsville and Costco the other day. Actually, he was entirely enclosed in a zip-up carrier bag when I tried to go into Costco. And Costco just serves pizza and hotdogs in one corner of their vast wasteland.
I emailed the Health department to try to get a copy of the ordinance that states that dogs are not allowed inside buildings that serve food. I was sent a copy of the ordinance that allows dogs to be on patios. I’ve asked again. I’ll update this once/if I get a reply. Because I’m really curious what the reasons are. States can draft their own health codes, so I would like to know what Texas’ reasons are for prohibiting dogs inside places that serve food. Because, seriously, just think about it, kids are much more gross than dogs. They put their little germ-laden fingers on everything. They cough and sneeze and then touch things. They throw food on the floor. They poop in their pants.
Dogs in Europe are allowed in all pubs and bars and coffee shops and retail stores, and in France, I’ve seen them in full on restaurants. And…. everyone is fine.
Why are dogs not allowed in buildings that serve food in the US? Eating in a restaurant where humans prepare your food and children are allowed is going to be the greatest risk to your health. Dogs are not a health threat. Because these are American dogs we are talking about: the much-loved, over-vaccinated, over-groomed, and babied.
The first argument may be dog hair. But how is human hair any less migratory, abundant, or gross than dog hair? Also, do you notice dog hair in your food when you eat at home? Aren’t the kitchens behind closed doors in restaurants? And if not, aren’t they off limits to customers? The next argument may be that they might use the toilet inside. Should this happen, (which is unlikely because pet dogs are house-trained, and besides that, dogs are intelligent beings who are capable of knowing where not to pee) it’s not like a restaurant doesn’t have disinfectant. Well, let’s hope! And it would be incredible if the dog could manage to use the toilet on a table on top of someone’s meal. The last argument I can think of that wouldn’t be totally ridiculous is that employees may pet the dog and not wash their hands. Well, that one seems easily solvable to me: employees are restricted from petting dogs while on the clock.
The reason this is close to my heart is not just because I suffer from a lack of sleep in the summer months. The Americans With Disabilities Act protects service animals from being rejected from any and all establishments. And it is illegal to ask for proof that the animal is a service animal. So of course people abuse this legislation, and bring their dog places and simply say, “She’s a service dog.” Some people even put “service dog” vests on their non-service dog. I have never done this, nor do I condone it. What I do condone, is protecting the Disability law by helping people not abuse it.
There is no logical or health related reason that dogs should not be allowed in businesses that serve food. There was actually an “official” “study” done in 2013 that concluded that the health or safety risk posed by dogs inside restaurants is… yet to be determined (????!!!). Read it here. There is obviously a large misunderstanding of dog behavior reflected in these laws, and it’s time they were changed. I have no idea how to challenge this ordinance, but would like to start the official process, so if you know, please message me. Allowing dogs to be in more establishments would help almost everyone be calmer, happier, more balanced people. It’s also discrimmatory to the single and childfree, whose dogs are their central family members.
I absolutely think that dogs must be required to be on a leash at all times inside establishments. And that if your dog displays inappropriate behavior (a lot of barking, growling, rough play, snapping, whining, etc) you should both be promptly ejected.
Will someone in Austin please open a coffee shop that is open all day and allows dogs indoors? With big comfy couches and chairs and great coffee and tea and pastries and soup and paninis? Please. I will donate as much as I possibly can!
With all that said, here’s my list of places you CAN bring your dog indoors. I live in the south, so this is for sure south-centric. But I’m on a mission to find all the establishments in Austin with air conditioning that allow dogs to stay INSIDE. If you know of any, please send them to me!
Cosmic Coffee and Beer
121 Pickle Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Sun - Fri 7am to 12pm
Sat 7am - 1am
Dogs are allowed inside, but inside is quite a small and loud area (the noise seem to bounce off the concrete floor) and there are few comfortable chairs, just metal upright ones. But they serve coffee AND beer! Score!
The Infinite Monkey Theorem
121 Pickle Rd, Austin, TX 78704 (across from Cosmic)
Mon - Fri 4pm - 10pm
Sat 2pm - 10pm
Sun 12pm - 8pm
This place is next to Cosmic and serves their own delightful wines by the tap, in cans and bottles. And I am literally writing this from here now. It’s lovely inside, and Michele at the bar, is delightful. I wish it opening in the mornings and served coffee and pastries! Because there are some great comfy couches and chairs. I love the rugs on the floor too. You can bring food from anywhere inside.
Seventh Flag Coffee
1506 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Mon - Fri 7am - 6pm
Sat & Sun 8am - 6pm
I was looking for coffee, so swung in here. I tied up my little guy outside, but the barista said I could bring him in. My soul left my body at that point and I reached over and kissed the poor guy. Just kidding. 😉 But I did go get my pup and sink into a comfy deep loveseat and drink a wonderful almond milk latte and read my book. Perfection. However, it was the only comfy seating in the whole place, so if it had been taken, I would have had to sit at a rigid wooden stool or chair. But, thank you, Seventh Flag. I love you.
Skull Mechanix Brewing
1005 E St Elmo Rd bldg 2, Austin, TX 78745
Mon - Thur 3pm - 10pm
Fri 3pm - 11pm
Sat 1pm - 11pm
Sun 1pm - 10pm
This brewery is really pleasant and has great natural light. Mostly large tables with benches, but 3 tables with chairs. It has trivia on Thursday evenings. Board games and a food truck. It gets loud in the evenings and the sound bounces off the metal and concrete, so not really a great place for dogs then, in my opinion. Or when there are bands. Staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I was served by Lee, who was lovely. The only things that would make this place better is coffee and a couch! (Ooh, that would be a good coffee shop name!)
Gibson Street Bar
1109 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Mon - Fri 4pm - 2am
Sat 12pm - 2am
Sun 11:30am - 2am
I have only been here once. It can be loud and crowded, but since it opens on weekends at midday, it’s an option to go sit with your dog in some air conditioning. Great food truck outside.
Casino South Side
1502 W Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Everyday 4pm - 2am
I have been here many a time. It’s one of my favorite bars in the country! It does have loud music, but doesn’t get too crowded inside, and there is a huge long comfy couch to sit on. If you’re going out for a drink instead of looking to just chill, this is a great option.
St. Roch’s
515 Pedernales St, Austin, TX 78702
Everyday 4pm - 2am
I’ve been here once and loved it. Because I love dive bars. It’s smallish inside, but there are table and chairs. And a cajun food truck out back. If you need a place to just meet up for a chill beer, this will work.
Grackle
1700 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
12pm - 2pm (I think every day)
I’ve been here very briefly once. Hipstery bar on the Eastside with a pool table and…… air conditioning!!
4th Tap Brewing Co-Op
4520, 10615 Metric Blvd, Austin, TX 78758
Mon - Wed 4pm - 8pm
Thur 4pm - 12am
Fri & Sat 12am - 12pm
Sun 4pm - 8pm
Finally one up north. I haven’t been here, but I’m going. Anywhere that allows dogs inside is getting my business! They have a food truck outside.
Mellow Johnnie’s Bike Shop/Juan Pelota Coffee Shop
400 Nueces St, Austin, TX 78701
Mon - Friday 7am to 7pm
Sat 7am - 5pm
Sun 8am - 5pm
I have not been to this place, but it looks and sounds cool! Especially because dogs are allowed inside! However, it IS downtown, which is fine for all those uber-urban dwellers living downtown! Of which some may be reading this! And because they serve coffee AND beer, they get 10/10 would try!
Updates:
Just added by reader Rachel C: Circle Brewing Co.
Added by the owner, Christine: ShareTea (Anderson and 183).
Added by reader Cameron:
4th Tap Brewery and Celis Brewery
Both up in North Burnet area.
I wish I could add Radio to this list!!! So so so badly. Radio will let you carry your dog in while ordering and waiting for a drink. But not sit inside. I was told by an employee that “One dog pees, then all the dogs will pee.” Another example of the lack of understanding of dog behavior and intelligence. Radio only sells pastries that they source from outside the building. It’s ridiculous dogs aren’t allowed inside.
I also wish I could add Opa. I just want to sit in Opa drinking a coconut milk latte working on my laptop with my dog on my lap. Dream. But instead we sweat it out on the patio for 20 minutes before it’s too hot.
I also have beef with Bender not allowing dogs on their patio. ???
Honorable Patio Mentions
There are, as we all know and love, many patios in Austin, which are all, of course, dog friendly. I’m sure you’ve got your favorites already. There are also some great places with covered patios, which can offer a 5-8 degree less heat index for you and Pup. And some of these places have misting fans! Here are my favs for that:
The Park on South Lamar
The Little Darlin
Red’s Porch
Contigo
Luster Pearl East
Just added: Sour Duck Market
There are several place downtown and on Rainey St. that will either allow dogs inside or on their big patios (Lucille’s, for example). But I wanted to make this slightly more user and chill-out friendly. For me, it’s all about finding a nice place to drive up to easily, relax with friends, read a good book, or get some work done.
Do you know of some more places? Please let me know! I would love to help dog parents find places to hang out with their dogs, so they aren’t left home alone.