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Where to Ruff It In Raleigh 

Where to Ruff It In Raleigh 

by | Jul 15, 2025 | Do, July/August 2025

Explore the best dog-friendly restaurants and bars, parks, and hangouts in the City of Oaks.

Who let the dogs out… You should—because your four-legged bestie deserves to have a good doggone day out too. Plan an ~ulti-mutt~ experience with your pooch in and around Downtown Raleigh via our list of some of the best dog-friendly hot spots for those looking to get out of the doghouse.

Pet-Friendly Restaurants & Bars

Bowstring
Bowstring’s outdoor grassy area is the perf post for all your furry friends—they may even try to get in on a game of cornhole or sneak a bite of pizza (!). You can also bring ’em inside or on the covered patio while you grab a drink, play a game or tune into live tunes.

House of Hops 
Whether it’s outside playing cornhole and cooling off with an ice cold beer or tucking inside to escape the heat (also with a beer, of course!), you and your four-legged friend(s) are always welcome at this House.

Raleigh Beer Garden
Hungry dog 🤝 RBG’s Hungry Dawgs menu. Feed Fido his pick of pup-tizers—from carrots and bacon to burgers—while you have your fill of your own hooman snacks paired with over 350 beers on tap.

State of Beer
Put your fur-baby in a great state with an outing at either SOB location (The Bend locale also offers a covered back patio and spacious backyard for roaming!). And those cult-fave sandos are reason enough to leave the house any time. 

Tap Yard
Raleigh’s 1-acre beer garden is a hot spot for kids, families, lovers and doggos—think of it like an inclusive playground for all. Tap Yard also hosts trivia, live music, food trucks and other events to keep everyone entertained. 

Vault Craft Beer
Raise the “woof”—literally—at this unique brew haven situated in a historic building formerly home to Raleigh’s first drive-thru bank. And for man’s best friend, they can cash in on the free dog treat box while hanging inside or out.

West Street Dog
Let your pup get out the zoomies and socialize with other canines while you enjoy some bevys at this indoor off-leash dog park with a full bar, also offering daycare, boarding and grooming services—plus Monday trivia. 

Wolfe & Porter
More like *woof* and porter, are we right?! Post up on the patio or back deck to catch a game, listen to live music, or simply relax with your pal sitting happily at your feet.

Wye Hill
The only view better than the one at Wye Hill is of your happy pup enjoying a dog biscuit by your side as you enjoy the sun-soaked patio and sip on a brew or two. Not to mention it’s the perf perch to take a ’Gram snap for your pooch’s profile. 

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Pet-Friendly Adventures

City Market
Dogs are welcome at most establishments at this historic hub in DTR. Fetch a good deal at cute shops, lap up a latte at Blackbird Books & Coffee, or lean into culture at an art gallery. 

Dix Park Dog Park
For an un(fur)gettable day, look no further than one of Raleigh’s largest and most popular park. Its size-specific play space lets your dog play safely—so no worrying about your smaller pooches getting ruffed up by a bigger-boned fella. 

Moore Square
Pause and reflect at Moore Square, surrounded by some of Raleigh’s best restaurants, bars, coffee shops and boutiques to fill up an outing. Order takeout and throw down a blanket for a chill hang, or head over to the fully-fenced dog park for some social time. 

NCMA
Rover’s gonna love rovin’ the art museum’s Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park. Whether roaming the trails, propping up near the pond, sniffin’ the sculptures or basking in the sun on the Ellipse lawn, your pup’ll no doubt have the time of his/her life.

Oakwood Dog Park
Doggos of all shapes and sizes are welcome to run through the trees at this popular Historic Oakwood destination also featuring shade from the sun, a picnic shelter and softball fields.

Unleashed
Dogs need retail therapy too! Find all your pet needs—from treats and food to toys and accessories—to make your canine the envy of all. unleashedmutt.com/city-market

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Nesting Creativity

Nesting Creativity

by | Jun 29, 2023 | July/August 2023, Stuff

Nest in City Market’s newest nook by & for creatives.

Calling all creatives! Raleigh’s historic City Market hub is adding a new biz to its repertoire. Fluttering open its doors to the cobblestone streets this month, Blackbird Books & Coffee is bringing bevs, books and bunches of creativity to the DTR scene. 

Behind the inventive outpost are sisters-in-law/besties Bre and Hannah Brunswick, whose own creative endeavors inspired their latest enterprise. And the two are over the moon about their new spot’s address. 

“When we first thought of Blackbird, City Market’s cobblestone streets, historic nature and neighborhood feel really were hand-in-hand with what we are wanting to be,” says Hannah. “And we’ve been pretty overwhelmed by the support—from other businesses in the area checking in to say how excited they are to tons of support on social media. It proves there is such a need for something like this.”

The cozy coffee/bookworm haven will feature nooks for readers to hide away, natural/wood colors—and some deep blue hues—with the coffee shop situated in the back. And for those looking to wet their beaks with a cuppa—Blackbird will be brewing up all your typical coffee choices, with some specialty flavors on the menu to boot (!). Plus, creative workshops are also slated for the space (think candle-making classes, macrame, painting, writing and more). 

“The atmosphere will be very welcoming, somewhere you can express yourself and learn new skills,” says Hannah. “We are just aiming for an all-around-good-feeling kind of place.” Adds Bre: “And combining all these creative things is really unique to Raleigh.”

As City Market continues to be on the comeup for patrons and businesses alike, we’re excited to see what concepts continue to flock to the ubercute and underrated alcove. How tweet. @blackbirdbooksandcoffee 

A few other spots worth strollin’ the cobblestone streets for…