Hey, dog people – if you like to bring your furry friend(s) with you as you explore a city’s food and drink scene, you’re going to love Grand Rapids.
The city is packed with dog-friendly spaces, including outdoor restaurant and bar patios that are happy to accommodate well-behaved pets. Some of them are included in the Downtown Refreshment Area, which allows you to stroll around with an adult beverage in one hand and your pet’s leash in the other. Keep in mind that dogs are required to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet during your downtown adventures.
Check out this downloadable map of the Downtown Refreshment Area and join us below for a virtual journey to a few dog-friendly destinations.
Drinks in River North
Start with drinks in the River North neighborhood, the northernmost boundary of downtown and the Downtown Refreshment Area. Dog-friendly food & drink destinations here include Chicago Beef Joint, City Built Brewing Co. and the Grand Rapids Garage Bar & Grill, all of which welcome four-legged guests to its outdoor spaces.
City Built is a particularly hopping doggy destination – don’t be surprised if the dog-to-human ratio at this craft brewery and restaurant favors canines on your visit. We suspect many guests are also visiting nearby Fido & Stitch, a well-known groomer and shop for toys, treats and more.
Get your drinks through the City Built service window and hang out on the picnic tables to watch the sun start to set over the Grand River. You can then take your drinks and your dogs for a quick walk in Sixth Street Bridge Park or Canal Park, directly across the street, before heading to your dinner destination.
Take your furry friend along for dinner and drinks at Ucello's.
Photo by Haley Chicoine for Experience GR.
Dinner in the City Center
You can now walk with drinks in hand and dogs on leash south along the river, all the way to DeVos Place Convention Center and the Central Downtown Refreshment Area. The 25 participating Refreshment Area businesses here include dog-friendly Atwater Brewery, Cinco de Mayo and Uccello’s Ristorante.
Uccello’s is a couple of blocks east of the Grand River – take Pearl St. east past the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and Monroe Ave. to Monroe Center St. This popular restaurant has a dog-friendly patio extending along the brick road that is positioned directly across from Rosa Parks Circle and the Grand Rapids Art Museum .
The staff at Uccello’s is liable to greet your furry friend with a fresh bowl of water before they take your order. That will give you time to peruse the vast menu emphasizing authentic Italian food that is high quality yet affordable.
Another nearby spot that has a nice dog-friendly patio is the Apartment Lounge, Michigan’s oldest gay bar. It’s just a quick 2-3 block walk from Uccello’s, and the patio is quite large and even covered if it should rain. It’s a great place for after-dinner drinks (or before-dinner drinks, for that matter).
Other downtown food-and-drink establishments with dog-friendly patios include Condado Tacos, O’Toole’s Public House and The Tin Can Bar, all Refreshment Area participants, as well as MudPenny, Palio Ristorante and Sundance Grill & Bar.
Beyond Downtown
Other Grand Rapids business districts maintain Outdoor Refreshment Areas with dog-friendly dining and drinking spots, including Vivant Brewery + Spirits in the East Hills Refreshment Area, Joey’s Tavern in the West Fulton Refreshment Area and The Mitten Brewing Co. in the West Leonard Refreshment Area.
If you’re looking for a night out with your pup, it’s a good idea to call ahead, as every restaurant has a slightly different policy on dogs in outdoor spaces. But there are many different options if you are willing to check out different neighborhoods. Also keep in mind that outdoor patios are not always open during business hours – it can depend on weather, staffing and other issues. So, when in doubt, make a quick call first!
Looking for more things to do with your dog in Grand Rapids? Check out our overview of dog-friendly spots along with our pet-friendly restaurants, trails and hotels. Visit our Beaches page to find dog-friendly waters nearby – just click Pet Friendly under Narrow Your Search halfway down the page.
