Fido-Friendly Places: Summertime Sipping with Spot

With thermostats topping 90 degrees and humidity so thick that you can stab it with a fork, it can be ruff outdoors in NOLA this time of year. Luckily, we’ve sniffed out some terrific spots to chill out with a refreshing beverage and zesty nibbles, and, best of all, your pooch is invited to tag along. S, gather your human pack, leash up Fido and dig into these cool hotspots.

Abita Brewing Company – abita.com

Since 1986, Abita Brewing Company has been satisfying suds fans with their fine collection of craft beer. In its first year, the brewery produced 1,500 barrels, which has grown to more than 150,000 barrels of beer and 13,500 barrels of soda. Located about 30 miles outside of New Orleans, the company outgrew its original site (now home to their 100-seat brew pub) and in 1994 moved up the road to a larger, state-of-the-art facility to meet the ever-growing demand. Beer buffs can visit the brewery to learn about the history, production techniques and more through a 30-minute guided tour complete with beer samples. All that touring is sure to work up a thirst, so pop into the Tap Room for a pint at the bar or fetch a seat in the courtyard or beer garden. Pack a picnic and enjoy Abita’s brew flight with sips of limited releases, seasonal offerings and classic favs. And you don’t have to leave Fido behind—Abita gladly welcomes well-mannered pups to join in the fun! Kick back with one of their refreshing summertime sippers such as Legit Hard Lemonade, Hard Sweet Tea, Spring-Loaded Watermelon Hard Seltzer, Strawberry Lager, Tiki Rum Punch cocktail or Lounging Iguanas (a pineapple, toasted coconut and tropical fruit-flavored IPA). Brew purists can opt for one of Abita’s classic options like Amber, The Boot (a crisp, refreshing brew sold exclusively in Louisiana) or Purple Haze, brewed with real raspberries. If all that sipping has you hankering for some tasty grub, head over to the Abita Brew Pub (a 3-minute drive or 7-minute bike ride along the picturesque Tammany Trace hike and bike trail) to indulge in starters like the Andygator Cake—a crab-crawfish cake served with fried tomatoes topped with Turbodog remoulade—or Brewer’s BBQ Crab Claws sautéed in Abita Amber and rosemary BBQ sauce. Dig into a cooked-to-order Killer Burger topped with pepper jack cheese, fried onion rings and hot wing sauce; boudin stuffed fried quail topped with blueberry glaze; pecan crusted catfish with smashed potatoes; or Eggplant Napoleon with shrimp, mushroom and Tasso cream sauce over pasta. An easygoing afternoon (they often have live music on weekends) at Abita Brewing is sure to make you and your fur baby as happy as a dog with two tails!

Anna’s – annasnola.com

A relatively new addition to the area—Anna’s opened just over a year ago—this charming, neighborhood bar is nestled in the Faubourg Marigny, where Mimi’s in the Marigny formerly operated for nearly two decades. Housed in a 19th-century bank building, the relaxed atmosphere, well-crafted cocktails and tasty tidbits make Anna’s a great choice to unwind during happy hour, play a friendly game of pool or enjoy a pawsome night out with your pack. The stylish, pup-friendly lounge is named after bar director Anna Giordano, an acclaimed mixologist who honed her skills at Jewel of the South, Bar Tonique and Longway Tavern before being tapped by the LeBlanc + Smith team to craft the “destination dive bar.” Your pooch will be treated to cold water and pup treats as you sip one of their seasonal frozen creations. Kick back from 4–6 p.m. daily with $6 house cocktails such as the Tequila Daisy (Reposado Tequila, lemon, grenadine and yellow Chartreuse); a Pineapple Daiquiri made with rum, lime and pineapple syrup; or a Chilcano, a delightful blend of Pisco, lime, ginger beer and bitters. Anna’s also features beer and shot pairings like Zony Mash Sour with pink gin, Modelo with tequila and lime and Highlife with Aperol and lemon that are sure to get your tail wagging! For a different vibe, head upstairs (open Wednesday–Sunday) to sip half-off wine by the glass from 5–7 p.m. Nosh on bad-to-the-bone nibbles like Manchego toast with oyster mushrooms, green onion and brown butter; crispy octopus atop black rice accented by chilies and fennel; Papa Bravas (tangy Nashville-style potatoes served with ramps and ranch); and succulent lamb belly with olives, mint and peas. Anna’s regularly spotlights local artists with pop-up art shows taking place monthly, plus live music on weekends, including Spanish guitar on Sundays. Each Monday, human guests are invited to woof down free red beans and rice with purchase of a cocktail. Already begging for Mardi Gras? Anna’s will host a midsummer Carnival event in August, so be sure to check their social media pages for details.

Good Friends Bar – goodfriendsbar.com

As its name declares, Good Friends Bar delivers a sociable, approachable and laid-back atmosphere where everyone is welcome, including your four-legged bestie. In fact, the pooch-friendly pub gave birth to the Krewe of Barkus, New Orleans’ only Mardi Gras dog parade and remains the Krewe’s home bar. Located just one block off Bourbon Street, this beloved local bar boasts a grand mahogany bar with handsome Victorian touches, custom paintings by renowned artist George Dureau and a spacious second-floor balcony. The casual watering hole is ideal for a spirited night out with friends, catching a Saints game, joining in a friendly game of pool or chilling with your fur baby on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Head upstairs to The Queens Head Pub, where you’ll find a cozy space adorned with gold candelabras, chandeliers, a collection of historic New Orleans photos and fetching views of the Quarter from the wrap-around balcony. Sniff out their signature libation—the Separator—a divine ice cream-based frozen drink that’s sure to have you licking your chops! Fear not Fido: when your human orders a Separator, you’ll receive a complimentary puppaccino! Good Friends prides itself on serving up “the French Quarter’s longest Happy Hour” with $3.80 well drinks, wine and domestic beer Monday through Friday from 4–9 p.m. Speaking of pride, Good Friends is the place to be for Southern Decadence, “gay Mardi Gras,” held each Labor Day weekend, to cool off with the summertime special Watermelon Rim, featuring Watermelon Skyy Vodka, Red Bull Watermelon and a salted rim. Unleash your inner pop star each Tuesday starting at 8:30 p.m. during “No Judgment Karaoke” with drag queen emcee, Ruey Tsay. And while you’re sipping and socializing, your canine companion is sure to dig a fresh bowl of water and free doggie treats. WOOF!

The Bulldog – draftfreak.com

With a name like The Bulldog, it’s no surprise that this brew-centric pub is beloved by both two and four-legged guests. The original Uptown location started slinging suds and bar grub in 1994 when four local beer fans decided that New Orleans needed a serious beer tavern. Today, the company boasts four locations in Mid-City, Uptown, Baton Rouge and Jackson, Mississippi. Both New Orleans area spots have quaint, pet-friendly patios with ample seating and large screen TVs, so leashed puppers are welcome to party with your pack indoors and out. The casual, welcoming tavern boasts an impressive selection of roughly 50 import and craft brews on tap and about 100 bottled options. The Bulldog uses a combination of nitrogen and CO2 to pump their draft beer, which imparts a cleaner, smoother taste. Additionally, they offer frozen and room temperature pint glasses for your perfect suds sipping experience. Pair your brew with flavorful bar food such as Mahi Mahi tacos on flour tortillas with pico de gallo, lettuce and shredded cheese; roasted pulled pork simmered in a sweet BBQ sauce, served dressed on a brioche bun; or whisker-licking good chicken wings tossed in buffalo or BBQ sauce, served with celery sticks. r sniff out one of their juicy, half-pound, grilled burgers with your favorite fixings, served on a toasted brioche bun. Enjoy happy hour with your pup Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. with 50¢-off pints, $1-off pitchers, $5 house wine and double drinks for the price of a single, or fetch a $10 double Absolute Bloody Mary every Sunday. And Fido won’t be left out, as the friendly staff will gladly treat your pooch to some dog goodies and a bowl of water. Passionate about animals, The Bulldog supports local charities, particularly animal welfare organizations, and regularly sponsors New Orleans on Tap, one of the largest fundraising events for the Louisiana SPCA. Now that’s what we’re barking about!

Twelve Mile Limit – twelvemilelimit.com

Spirited, inviting, jovial, engaging: these are just some of the words that come to mind when speaking of Twelve Mile Limit, the Mid-City locals’ favorite dive bar that’s been serving up creative cocktails since 2010. Owner T. Cole Newton, who earned a name for himself as a talented mixologist prior to founding Twelve Mile Limit, has managed to artfully blend all of the key ingredients needed to make customers happy and keep them coming back time and time again. From the well-crafted, creative cocktails that won’t break the bank and food pop-ups serving up delectable bar food to its fun-filled weekly events and focus on social and environmental responsibility, Twelve Mile goes miles beyond to exceed expectations. And just like its “all people are welcome” ideology, all pups are invited to hang out and enjoy complimentary doggie treats. Belly up to the bar with Fido for a signature summertime sipper such as the Great Idea, their take on a classic Mule, consisting of vodka, amaro (an Italian herbal liqueur), lemon, simple syrup, ginger beer and Angostura bitters; the “sexy but dangerous” Red Bottoms, which blends tequila, peach liqueur, pomegranate juice, orange bitters and lime; or the Secret Family, a tasty concoction melding gin, blood orange liqueur, apple soda and lime. If beer gets your tail wagging, choose from their impressive selection of roughly 50 local, craft and import brews. Leash up your pupper and head over on Monday nights for “Bear with Me” open mic comedy night with free chow and $5 Mules, Burlesque Tuesdays with complimentary tacos and cheap margaritas, or “Geeks Who Drink” trivia night each Wednesday featuring $5 Old Fashioneds all night long. Pop in with your four-legged pal for a friendly game of pool or if you’re hosting your own gathering, Twelve Mile Limit offers batched libations to go and mobile bar services. To learn a few tricks of the trade from T. Cole Newton himself, pick up a copy of his cocktail book Cocktail Dive Bar: Real Drinks, Fake History, and Questionable Advice (Running Press, 2021), which was 10 years in the making and features original drink recipes, practical bar advice and amusing fictional and non-fictional tales.