You’ve had a long day or week at work, and it’s time to go out with some friends to decompress. What better way to shake the work week blues than a good old fashioned happy hour? It’s always nice to meet up with friends after work, but what about your pupper? They’ve already spent the whole day home alone, and if you are anything like me, then you probably hate to leave them behind. Luckily, some of my favorite happy hours also happen to be dog friendly, so next time you meet up with friends after work, bring your pup along, too!
Before I dive into some of my favorite places, I just want to remind you that if you do decide to bring your dog to happy hour, be sure to keep him or her on leash and under your control at ALL TIMES. If busy, crowded places make your pup nervous (ie they bark constantly or exhibit other signs of fear/stress), consider working on their socialization skills before you bring them out. Some of the places I share are great spaces for training and desensitization, and others are not. I’ve made a note of that in the descriptions to give you a heads up.
Join Us at Our Next Yappy Hour
Most importantly, never let your dog approach other people or dogs without permission, no matter how cute and friendly you think your pupper is. You never know who might not like dogs, and everyone deserves to enjoy happy hour comfortably. It’s a time to un-wined, after all! Finally, if you know your dog will be happier and more comfortable chilling at home, then don’t
force them out. Some of us are just homebodies, and that’s okay! Always keep your pup’s safety and well being your top priority.
With that said, here are some of my favorite places in San Antonio to enjoy a dog-friendly happy hour! Whether you are a beer lover, cocktail sipper, margarita drinker, or a traditional (or not-so- traditional) wino, there is something for everyone.
Cheers!
PAWS + PINTS
If craft brews are your thing, you have no shortage of options! These joints boast extensive beer lists, plus some pretty spacious outdoor seating that’s perfect for you and your pup.
Tycoon Flats
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2926 N. St Mary’s, San Antonio, TX 78212
HAPPY HOURS: Daily | 3pm to 6pm
Tycoon flats is an iconic dog-friendly San Antonio joint. They have a broad selection of beverages, including cocktails, wine, and beer. Personally, I think their beer selections really shine, and with a daily happy hour PLUS daily specials, you know you’re going to get a good deal! P.S. If you really want to treat your dog (and your dog doesn’t have a sensitive tummy) you
can order them a burger patty for dinner. Just let your server know!
The Friendly Spot
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943 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Another iconic dog-friendly haunt, the Friendly Spot boasts a collection of nearly 400 different beers you can try! Although super spacious, this place can definitely get crowded, so have a back up plan if thick crowds make your pup nervous. This is a great place to catch a Spurs game, too, as they project games on their huge inflatable Slab Cinema screen! Go Spurs go!
The Cove
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606 W Cypress St, San Antonio, TX 78212
HAPPY HOURS: Tuesday – Thursday | 2pm to 7pm
I love the Cove so much because they don’t just have a killer beer selection, they also offer amazing food including dope vegan burgers! They have a huge outdoor space, and it’s super easy to accommodate large groups with multiple dogs. There does tend to be a lot of children running around playing, and I’ve had kids run up to pet my pups without permission. Just keep that in mind if you are working on your dog’s social skills.
Freetail Brewpub
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4035 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78257
HAPPY HOURS: Mondays, Wednesdays – Friday | 3pm to 7pm Plus Daily Specials
Pizza and beer: still a better love story than Twilight! Freetail is San Antonio’s OG craft brewery, and their brewpub off 1604 has been serving delicious pints and pizzas for over 10 years! They have a great patio where you can hang with your pup, and plenty of different brews to check out, both from Freetail and from a selection of guest breweries.
Weathered Souls Brewing Co.
606 Embassy Oaks #500, San Antonio, TX 78216
Weathered Souls is one of my favorite local breweries! They have a great selection of beers that cater to a variety of tastes, from light lagers to bold stouts, so it’s easy to please a crowd. Their outdoor space is fairly small and has astro turf rather than grass (so don’t let your dog pee on it!), but it’s a super chill area that I really love hanging out at with the dogs.
Alamo Beer Company
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202 Lamar, San Antonio, TX 78202
If you have a nervous pup that needs its space, Alamo Beer Company is a fantastic place to work on some desensitization training in public! They have a huge outdoor area with plenty of seating, and they even sell dog treats! Their beer selection offers a nice variety of year round and seasonal brews, and they frequently have food trucks where you can purchase snacks. Check their event calendar for fun activities like Bingo and corn hole!
CANINES + COCKTAILS
Looking for something a little stronger than beer? San Antonio has a red hot craft cocktail scene, so whether you crave a classic margarita or want to try something a little “weird,” we got you covered.
Sanchos
628 Jackson St, San Antonio, TX, 78212
HAPPY HOURS: Monday – Friday | 4pm to 7pm
Saturday – Sunday | 3pm to 5pm
Sunday – Tuesday | 9pm to 11pm
If a boozy margarita is what you need after a hard day, this is your place. Sancho’s offers great food (vegan options included!), great margaritas (classic and weird), and great service. It’s tight quarters outside, though, so if your dog isn’t a social butterfly, it might be a good idea to choose a different spot. Chances are high you’ll have to pass in close proximity to other people and other dogs.
Ocho
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1015 Navarro St, San Antonio, TX 78205
HAPPY HOURS: Sun – Wed | 3pm to 6pm
All day Thursday
Beautiful River Walk views, amazing cocktails, and tasty food options make Ocho one of my favorite cocktail spots. Ocho is the bar/restaurant for the Havana Hotel, which is also dog friendly– not to mention really frickin’ cute. If you are visiting San Antonio, or just looking for a good staycation in San Antonio, definitely book a room! In addition to a great happy hour (they have a whole happy hour menu!), they also have an amazing breakfast with great coffee. Their patio is small, but the tables
are well spaced, and there is plenty of shade!
La Gloria
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100 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215 OR 21819 I-10, San Antonio, TX 78257
HAPPY HOURS: Monday – Friday | 11am to 6pm
Confession: I’ve definitely gotten sauced up on La Gloria’s margaritas. And by sauced up, I mean it only takes two. I love a good frozen margarita, and their Prickly Pear is my favorite! La Gloria has two locations in San Antonio, and both offer a great outdoor space for you and your pup. It’s pretty easy to position yourself away from the hustle and bustle, which makes this another great spot for pups working on their social skills.
La Fogata
2427 Vance Jackson Rd, San Antonio, TX 78213
La Fogata has such a huge patio that I almost always get lost on the way to or from the bathroom. On the upside, this means there is plenty of space for your pup to enjoy themselves without feeling too crowded. La Fogata has won lots of awards over its 30+ years in business, including several for their margaritas!
WOOFERS + WINE
Maybe you’re more in the mood for a chill glass of wine and some casual conversation after work. Grab your pup and ask yourself: red, white, or sparkling?
High Street Wine Co.
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302 Pearl Pkwy #104, San Antonio, TX 78215
You and your pup will be hard pressed to find a place with better service than High Street. This is a great spot for a quieter, more relaxed happy hour. High Street has a smattering of small cafe tables outside, tucked into a quiet corner of the Pearl. With an ever changing wine selection, incredibly knowledgeable servers who all seem to love dogs, and a great atmosphere, High Street is definitely one of my favorite places to un-wined after a long day.
Little Death
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2327 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212
Looking for something weird? Definitely check out Little Death! From natural wines or orange wines to oddball champagnes, you are likely to find something you’ve never heard of at this place, even if you are a wine aficionado. Their selection changes quite frequently, and their prices are super affordable. Additionally, their outdoor seating is pretty spread out, so it’s easy to find space for your pup to hang out peacefully.
periphery
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2512 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212
HAPPY HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday | 5pm to 6pm
Bottles are 20% off on Tuesday and Wednesday
This local spot is another quiet corner to enjoy a glass of wine and a light dinner with some friends. They have limited outdoor seating, so have a back up plan in place in case they are full up! On the upside, the limited outdoor seating means it’s never overly crowded, so that makes this another good spot to work on social skills for your dog! Pro tip: you might want to make a reservation to guarantee your spot!
The Bar at the Bottling Department
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312 Pearl Pkwy building 6 suite 6101, San Antonio, TX 78215
HAPPY HOURS: Monday – Thursday | 3pm to 6pm
Is it a party foul to have two wine spots from the Pearl on this list? I hope not! The Bar at the Bottling Department offers up a bunch of different drinks, and I highly recommend the frozé during the hot summer months! The best part about this place is that the entire 22 acre Pearl complex is up for grabs when it comes to seating. They have tables and chairs close to the food hall, but feel free to walk around, window shop, or sprawl out on one of the green spaces.
Map of Dog-Friendly Bars & Happy Hours in San Antonio
Join Us at Our Next Yappy Hour
Author: Blair Salt
Blair is a native San Antonian, committed dog mom, and all around animal lover. She lives in San Antonio with her husband, three rescued dogs, and a rescued cat. You can find her writing about responsible pet ownership over at her dog mom blog, Dogs Are a Girl’s Best Friend. When not hanging out with her pets, you can find Blair working at the McNay Art Museum, teaching yoga at AC Power Yoga, or cooking up a delicious plant-based meal in her kitchen. Find her on social media @twopupsinapawed!
