 Dog
Bars
Lincoln Park
Ravenswood
Bucktown/Wicker Park
Roscoe Village
DePaul
Halsted Street
North Central
 There
are more than two-dozen bars in the city where you can take your best
friend with a wet nose to share a wet one. Actually, most dogs like beer
- just make a light beer and don't encourage Fido to make a habit of it.
In our weekly "Pet Central" feature Places To Take Your Dog, we highlighted
the Ten Cat Tavern. Here's some info about the Ten Cat and a half dozen
other bars who welcome pups. For more doggy friendly bars, check out my
book, "DogGone Chicago: Best Places To Sniff Out Taking Your Best Friend,"
which will be out in early August.
Lincoln Park
Jake's: They have the best bouncer in the business, an Akita named Titus.
Titus does get territorial; some dogs she tolerates, others he does not.
Any dog arriving in the afternoon or early evening must deal with Titus.
Later in the evening, Titus lounges at home, and the doors open to all
canines. Despite the hip clientele with two legs and four, Jake's retains
a neighborhood pub sort of feel. 2932 N. Clark Street; (773) 248-3318.
Ravenswood
Augenblick: When owner David Butler's malamute Jackson is on the premises,
he says that the cover charge is "petting the dog." Candles illuminate
this cozy tap in the is where owners can sit on old over-stuffed couches,
although dog clientele are discouraged from this practice. One highlight
is the Gilligan's Island pinball machine. 3907 N. Damen Avenue; (773)
929-0994.
Bucktown/Wicker Park
The Charleston: A Chicago Tavern Classic: It's not named for the dance,
but rather for Charleston Street. A mounted goat wearing a baseball cap
greets all dogs, which are welcome only until 7 p.m. 2076 N. Hoyne Avenue;
(773) 489-4757.
Roscoe Village
Finley Dunne's Tavern: Pet a Jagermeister - that's the name of owner Joe
Kenny's lab/shepherd mix. The Meister dog is usually there during the
day to keep Kenny company when the bar isn't so busy. Talk about variety,
this old old-fashioned juke box plays everything from Dean Martin to Joe
Jackson, but never the Spice Girls. The bar is named for Finley Dunne,
a columnist with the Chicago Evening Post in the 1890's - the Mike Royko
of this day." 3458 N. Lincoln Avenue; (773) 477-7311.
DePaul
The Local Option: On one visit to this DePaul neighborhood bar, I was
greeted by a German shepherd dog, a pug and a pair of golden retrievers.
When not welcoming patrons, the dogs played with an old softball, the
16-inch kind. There's a pool table in back for people to play with. This
bar is legendary for being dog friendly, but when it gets crowded, on
Friday and Saturday evenings, dogs are discouraged. 1102 W. Webster Street;
(773) 348-2008.
Halsted Street
Marquee Lounge: The bartenders here have been known to toss the tennis
ball for a game of Fetch. Here's a little tip for you, although most canines
figure this out pretty fast: Bartenders keep treats behind the bar. When
there's live music, the dogs can stay, but for sensitive pups, the music
is earsplitting. 1973 N. Halsted Street; (773) 988-7427.
North Central
Ten Cat Tavern: As if one cat isn't enough, imagine ten - no wonder the
dogs love the place. The bar is a blast from the past, like a 1960's home,
complete with Formica table tops and chaise chairs indoors, and additional
seating outside. On occasion, a collie who is truly named Lassie, visits.
All that's missing is Timmy. 3931 N. Ashland Avenue; (773) 935-5377.
| 
