EXPLORE: Dog-friendly hotspots
By Sofia Legaspi Dickens
Places you can party without leaving your best friend at home
SMASH PARK
6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines
smashpark.com
Smash Park’s fun-filled patio features pickleball courts, bocce ball, cornhole/bags, giant Connect Four, shuffleboard — and guests’ dogs! From May through September, they also host a weekly UltiMutt Happy Hour: Thursdays from 2-9 p.m.
BIG GROVE BREWERY
555 17th St., Des Moines
biggrove.com
Open since last July, Big Grove Brewery has made quite an impression on Des Moines. They serve a “true taste of Iowa Nice and some of the best craft beer in the Midwest,” plus a full food menu. Big Grove’s expansive patio is open year-round.
PAWS & PINTS
6218 Willowmere Drive, Des Moines
pawsandpintsdsm.com
With more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor dog park space, it’s a little bit more than dog-friendly here — it’s a downright canine heaven. So much so that Paws & Pints was voted “Best Local Dog-Friendly Bar” in CITYVIEW’s Best Of Des Moines poll for 2023.
ST. KILDA CAFE & BAKERY
300 S.W. Fifth St., Des Moines
downtown.stkildadsm.com
Another reason to rejoice for the warm weather — St. Kilda’s downtown location boasts an open space and patio in the courtyard of the Harbach Lofts building. Take in that fresh urban air while enjoying refreshments from this chic Australian cafe and bakery.
KINSHIP BREWING COMPANY
255 N.W. Sunrise Drive, Waukee
kinshipbeer.com
While Des Moines is replete with brewing companies, Kinship sets itself apart with its dedicated dog park: Lois Park. Furry friends are also welcome on the patio as long as they are leashed.
GILROY’S KITCHEN + PUB + PATIO
1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines
gilroyskitchen.com
American comfort food with a twist. All pups and humans are welcome, but redheads reign supreme at Gilroy’s. The restaurant offers water bowls and treats for dogs on their extended patio.
FUZZY’S
300 W. Martin Luther King Jr Parkway, Suite 120, Des Moines
fuzzystacoshop.com
“Fuzzy’s is your local spot that ditches bad vibes and dishes out serious tacos and legit margaritas at a super chill price,” says the eatery’s website. Their dog-friendly downtown patio is pretty great, too. n
Places you can party without leaving your best friend at home
SMASH PARK
6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines
smashpark.com
Smash Park’s fun-filled patio features pickleball courts, bocce ball, cornhole/bags, giant Connect Four, shuffleboard — and guests’ dogs! From May through September, they also host a weekly UltiMutt Happy Hour: Thursdays from 2-9 p.m.
BIG GROVE BREWERY
555 17th St., Des Moines
biggrove.com
Open since last July, Big Grove Brewery has made quite an impression on Des Moines. They serve a “true taste of Iowa Nice and some of the best craft beer in the Midwest,” plus a full food menu. Big Grove’s expansive patio is open year-round.
PAWS & PINTS
6218 Willowmere Drive, Des Moines
pawsandpintsdsm.com
With more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor dog park space, it’s a little bit more than dog-friendly here — it’s a downright canine heaven. So much so that Paws & Pints was voted “Best Local Dog-Friendly Bar” in CITYVIEW’s Best Of Des Moines poll for 2023.
ST. KILDA CAFE & BAKERY
300 S.W. Fifth St., Des Moines
downtown.stkildadsm.com
Another reason to rejoice for the warm weather — St. Kilda’s downtown location boasts an open space and patio in the courtyard of the Harbach Lofts building. Take in that fresh urban air while enjoying refreshments from this chic Australian cafe and bakery.
KINSHIP BREWING COMPANY
255 N.W. Sunrise Drive, Waukee
kinshipbeer.com
While Des Moines is replete with brewing companies, Kinship sets itself apart with its dedicated dog park: Lois Park. Furry friends are also welcome on the patio as long as they are leashed.
GILROY’S KITCHEN + PUB + PATIO
1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines
gilroyskitchen.com
American comfort food with a twist. All pups and humans are welcome, but redheads reign supreme at Gilroy’s. The restaurant offers water bowls and treats for dogs on their extended patio.
FUZZY’S
300 W. Martin Luther King Jr Parkway, Suite 120, Des Moines
fuzzystacoshop.com
“Fuzzy’s is your local spot that ditches bad vibes and dishes out serious tacos and legit margaritas at a super chill price,” says the eatery’s website. Their dog-friendly downtown patio is pretty great, too. n