Sacramento, California’s capital city, is so dog friendly that the state’s “first dog,” a Corgi named Sutter, often attends his dog dad Gov. Jerry Brown’s meetings. (That’s Sutter with his dog mom, Anne Gust Brown, in this photo.)
Whether you live in Sacramento or are just passing through with your pooch, here are five places that welcome leashed fur-legged guests on their outdoor patios.
Just be sure your dog doesn’t drink anything stronger than water.
1. Monkey Bar – 2730 Capitol Ave. (map), 916-442-8490
Your dog can join you on Monkey Bar’s spacious, heated outdoor patio. Along with cocktails, wine and beer, Monkey Bar serves grub from its next-door (and also very dog friendly) neighbor, Café Bernardo.
Monkey Bar and Café Bernardo co-host a happy/yappy hour Thursdays through Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. “We bake organic treats and present each dog guest with a bowl of water and one of our complimentary cookies,” Jamie Marcus, manager of Café Bernardo, told the Sacramento Bee. “We started yappy hour with inspiration from our chef Shannon Burke, who is also an SPCA volunteer.”
Monkey Bar is open 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday; and 8:30 a.m. to midnight Sunday.
2. Pyramid Alehouse – 1029 K St. (map), 916-498-9800
Located just a few blocks from the Capitol, Pyramid Alehouse allows dogs on its outdoor patio. “Here you’ll find a world of extraordinary tastes waiting to be explored on draft, including our year-round beers, rotating seasonals, as well as a few unique Pyramid offerings you won’t find anywhere else,” says its website.
Open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
3. River City Brewing Company – 545 Downtown Plaza, Suite 1115 (map), 916-447-2739
“With over 22 different ales and lagers brewed throughout the year, you are assured of a great selection and a satisfied palate,” says this brewery’s website. Your pooch is welcome to join you on the outdoor patio, which, according to the website, “lends itself to people watching while you soak up some Sacramento sun and enjoy a cold beer or martini (yes, we have a full bar!).”
Yelp! reviewer Steven P. wrote, “Needed a place that would let us bring our dog. They very enthusiastically let us sit on the outside patio, and even provided a water bowl!”
Open 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and to 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
4. Rubicon Brewing Company – 2004 Capital Ave. (map), 916-448-7032
This 25-year-old brewery is so dog friendly that it received the Best of Sacramento “Best Drink with Your Dog” award in 2010.
“The pub has a loyal following of beer-loving regulars who flock to the friendly bar area and outdoor patio most nights of the week. And who could blame them?” wrote Sacramento Magazine. “The beer is first-rate, from the smooth-drinking, malty Amber to the refreshing Monkey Knife Fight Pale Ale, and the tiny kitchen cranks out a number of beer-friendly menu items to keep everybody thirsty and happy.”
Pooches are welcome on the outdoor patio. “I love sitting on the patio, as there is usually another customer’s chill dog just hanging out,” wrote Yelp! reviewer Derek D.
Open 11 a.m. to midnight every day.
5. Streets of London Pub – 1804 J St. (map), 916-498-1388
You might forget you’re in Sacramento when you visit this friendly pub, which welcomes dogs (and not just English Setters) on its back patio and provides water bowls for them.
“We sat outside, in the back patio area, and our dog had a big bowl of water in front of her before we had even looked at the menu,” wrote Yelp! reviewer Judy M. “Speaking of which, very nice. As one of us is originally from England, it was great to see so many truly English choices.”
Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day.
PHOTO: Sutter Brown Facebook Page